Ken Oikawa Still Repairing Cameras?

[wjlapier]

As the subject line says, does Ken Oikawa still repair Canon cameras? I have a F1 old version I'd like have looked at. Seals are newly installed by me. Meter doesn't work. Shutter speeds sound OK, but I'd prefer to have them checked. Not sure i care to have the meter fixed, but we'll see.

Thanks.

 

[Robert Lai]

I had stuff repaired by him last year. You need to call him, and start to leave a message on the answering machine. At that point, his wife will usually pick up the phone. Tell him what you want done, and he can tell you if he can do it.

 

[wjlapier]

Left a message with Ken and he got back with me. Sent in the F1 and he received it quickly. He'll adjust the shutter speeds and fix the meter. I mentioned something about the battery mode I read about and he said he would make the camera to accept 1.5v batteries. I had a hard time understanding his english and didn't want to bother him anymore with my, "can you repeat that"? comment.

So, I'm curious if anyone knows what he'll do to remedy the battery issue so the camera will take 1.5v batteries and the meter will work correctly.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Not sure what he did to your individual camera, but that was a common modification throughout the late 1990's and early 2000's when the Mercury Batteries were no longer allowed to be sold in the US. Ken is the best when it comes to anything Canon FD and I would trust that what he did was the proper modification.

 

[wjlapier]

Not sure what he did to your individual camera, but that was a common modification throughout the late 1990's and early 2000's when the Mercury Batteries were no longer allowed to be sold in the US. Ken is the best when it comes to anything Canon FD and I would trust that what he did was the proper modification.

I haven't received the camera back yet. Yes, I read a lot about him and everyone loves the work he does. I wish I could speak Japanese so I could have a better conversation with him.

Looking forward to this camera. Just picked up 24/2.8 SSC and 50/1.4 SSC FD both old versions.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I've got a pristine 50/1.4 SSC and love it.

Good luck with the camera when you get it back. I only have one FD body left, and it's one of Ken's.

 

[Dan]

Left a message with Ken and he got back with me. Sent in the F1 and he received it quickly. He'll adjust the shutter speeds and fix the meter. I mentioned something about the battery mode I read about and he said he would make the camera to accept 1.5v batteries. I had a hard time understanding his english and didn't want to bother him anymore with my, "can you repeat that"? comment.

So, I'm curious if anyone knows what he'll do to remedy the battery issue so the camera will take 1.5v batteries and the meter will work correctly.

He worked on my F1s and re-calibrated the meter so it reads correctly with the smaller voltage batteries. Meter is right on.

 

[AZPhotog]

I just received my last camera for service back from Ken today, a Canon AE-1 PROGRAM. In the past months, he has done several cameras for me. 2 EF's, 2 AE-1's, and 2 AE-1 PROGRAMS. CLA, (fixing the Canon Mirror Squeal), checking / adjusting shutter speeds, replacing broken battery doors, etc. I even donated to him 2 PARTS cameras -- an EF and an AE-1.
He does great work at reasonable costs and turnaround time is fast.

 

[mervynyan]

he does. not sure he still got all the "new" parts to replace, any cla he can do.

 

[Mackinaw]

he does. not sure he still got all the "new" parts to replace, any cla he can do.

Year’s back, Ken did have a supply of NOS parts. Not sure about now.

Jim B.

 

[wjlapier]

Got the F1 back yesterday. That was fast!

Stupid question--which 1.5 battery do I use for the meter?

I had to send the 50/1.4 lens back. Focus was rough and something inside looked like fungus--I hate fungus and don't want that lens anywhere near my gear.

So, I have the 24/2.8 for now. Might seek out another 50 or maybe something longer like 85 or so.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I had to send the 50/1.4 lens back. Focus was rough and something inside looked like fungus--I hate fungus and don't want that lens anywhere near my gear.

Good call. Years ago I had a 50/1.4 SSC that I didn't realize had a little bit of fungus. Put it in a box with an F-1n. A couple years later when I went to get the F-1n, the fungus had taken over the 50 and had attacked the F-1n prism glass, mirror, and eyepiece. Learned my lesson.

 

[wjlapier]

Got the battery thing figured out. Meter works! Of course it does. I like this camera.

 

[Timmyjoe]

That's in really nice shape. Congrats.