Inflation and Camera Repairs & Servicing

raydm6

raydm6

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There's an interesting discussion on another forum regarding the increase in camera repair fees during this inflationary period. I haven't used a repair tech for several years and it dawned on me that this may be a critical inflection point for me for: a.) further vintage camera buys and, b.) sinking money into a CLA/repair that may outweigh the value of the camera.

Especially concerning are attempts at self-repair (not so bad) and the purchasing of donor cameras for practice/parts (bad) as vintage camera prices are already high and reducing the availability pool will further exacerbate the problem.

Have any of you faced this increase in repair prices and what are your thoughts?

I checked YYE's repair site and he still has May 2021 service prices on there but not sure if it is current.
 
I use to pay about $320.00 for a Leica overhaul from Sherry, but this was a pretty long time ago.

Recently I had my M6 overhauled (jammed shutter after many thousands of rolls), and I also had a M3-DS overhauled. Both were done at Nippon Photo Clinic, and the price was about $500.00 per camera.

Perhaps the then and now has a spread of a decade, but still kinda crazy for a overhaul. My worry is that with inflation $640.00 is in the future.

Cal
 
The question is simply how much do you value your gear? Is it merely a commercial investment or tools to use and enjoy? I just had CLA's done on two Jupiter 8's. The work was about the same as the cost of the lenses. What are my choices? Keep the lens in poor condition or pay about the price of a couple of tankfuls of gas to get them running? Will it be a paperweight or a lens to use? I bought them to use them and factored in possible maintenance.

The only camera maintenance I have had done was on a Sony A7M II which had a sticky shutter loop. About $250 at the Sony designated repair service. Cheap. Unlike old cars which are usually simple to maintain cameras require a skilled specialist, if you can find one. The only way I know to beat this repair problem is to buy disposables.

I have an old M9, new sensor and guts, which I will use until it breaks. Then I will see if it can be repaired. Compared to smoking, cameras are cheap fun, and not at all cancerous.
 
I think you have to look at what it costs today and how much does it enhance the value of the camera, knowing that prices aren't coming down any time soon.
I have a Barnack I'd love to get CLA'd, but, I don't shoot film and would probably never really use it. Since I'm not selling it anytime soon either why should I invest in a CLA?
Now if any of my Sony's has a problem, that is another question all together since I do use them.
 
AlwaysOnAuto said:
I think you have to look at what it costs today and how much does it enhance the value of the camera, knowing that prices aren't coming down any time soon.
I have a Barnack I'd love to get CLA'd, but, I don't shoot film and would probably never really use it. Since I'm not selling it anytime soon either why should I invest in a CLA?
Now if any of my Sony's has a problem, that is another question all together since I do use them.
Click to expand...

Yes, exactly
 
I just paid £200 for a brand new set of shutter curtains in my Leica IIIg. Could I have bought a different body - maybe a Canon P - for the same price, and kept the IIIg on the shelf? Sure. But what's the guarantee that won't also need work - either now, or a year down the line? The way I figure, with those new shutter curtains, that IIIg is going to be a workhorse for the rest of my life - or at least as long as I can get film, anyway.
 
Coldkennels said:
I just paid £200 for a brand new set of shutter curtains in my Leica IIIg. Could I have bought a different body - maybe a Canon P - for the same price, and kept the IIIg on the shelf? Sure. But what's the guarantee that won't also need work - either now, or a year down the line? The way I figure, with those new shutter curtains, that IIIg is going to be a workhorse for the rest of my life - or at least as long as I can get film, anyway.
Click to expand...

The 100 or 200 pounds or dollars is not a big deal. This is not a recurring expense. It is an occasional expense in a hobby which brings us much pleasure. Compare it to other things and the price is reasonable. The cost of entry to the game can be quite high, and I just spent some money on a very, very nice Cooke Amotal. This is something I am inclined to do only once. A possible CLA down the road, yes. But for all practical purposes this lens is future cost free barring accidents. I have no film to buy with its associated processing costs. I have enough lenses to last me and the same with cameras. I am done with major expenses. Now I just need purchase electrons and I have a cheap source for them. Life is good. My problem is the same as all of ours, what to put the camera in front of.
 
For those who are still under self-illugion of film revive, old apug went under new fartio name with full blown digital, because film only based forums are dead end now.

Kodak sells new dirt cheap made half-frames under crazy prices.
Here is no new repair persons. It is not profitable business under any price.

So, something rare always demand higher prices, service included.
 
I think that as a society, especially in the USA, we have maybe lost a sense of what things truly cost. Leicas Ms cost nearly 3k in the 1950s. Color film was sometimes $20 per roll. A decent TV in 1980 could cost 2k and mortgage rates were 14%. While our real wages have stagnated since the mid 1970s, the cost of most consumer goods and credit have plummeted, making us feel richer than we are. I have never thought that the price of camera repairs today are excessive given the time and talent involved. It's not like any of these folks are getting rich doing work that few can do.
 
I sent my M3 to Newton Ellis is the UK in July 2020, got a call Monday to say that it is serviced and ready to return. Charged me what I was originally quoted in 2020, now that's what I call service!
 
AlexBG said:
I sent my M3 to Newton Ellis is the UK in July 2020, got a call Monday to say that it is serviced and ready to return. Charged me what I was originally quoted in 2020, now that's what I call service!
Click to expand...

Yikes! 2-years. That's great he stuck to the original quote *and* your camera appreciated in value so you made out well.
 
raydm6 said:
Yikes! 2-years. That's great he stuck to the original quote *and* your camera appreciated in value so you made out well.
Click to expand...

I never really chased to get it back, been shooting digital more and more and tried a couple of other film cameras in that time. Inheriting the M3 made my film camera GAS stop so not having it brought that back.
 
The "replace or repair" question hasn't come up for me...yet. I shoot mostly older Nikon pro and semi-pro digitals with reputations for long life and reliable service. They can be replaced readily these days for relatively very little. I'm sure repairs would exceed replacement costs.

Every now and then I think of buying a film camera and shooting film again. But dealing with film is not attractive to me...I'm more attracted to the cameras themselves. Plus the mechanics of the older film cameras need knowledgeable service people and they're becoming fewer and spread thin with ever-increasing costs. For me and my purposes, it's a "throwaway society". It's inevitable, isn't it. We humans also eventually end up as landfill some place, don't we.
 
waiting for Don/Dag to return my ltm 21 f4 Super Angulon...
will see what the charge is for a CLA ,have not done this in awhile, and let You know
 
Being the curious type, I did a search of forum posts, and found this thread from 2007 detailing some rates Sherry and Don were charging at the time. I don't know what they charge today, but I'm sure others do. My suspicion is in real terms, repair costs, on the whole, probably haven't increased much, if at all, but I'm happy to be corrected on this. Other members based in the USA who have been dealing with the aforementioned for some years (and I believe we do still have a few active members who fall into this category) may have better insight into the relativity of charges for repairs in 2022, compared to yesteryear? Make of it what you will.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/node/43849
 
I think that, beyond the slight increase in the cost of the CLA, the length of time to actually get the service done is the most frustrating point these days. We are talking 6 months to a year for a service.
 
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