Krikor Maralian is amazing!!!

JeffGreene

JeffGreene

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After some delays, I sent my newly acquired Rolleiflex MX-EVS to Krimar Photo for a CLA following numerous recommendations from friends on p-net. Sent the camera on Friday, Krikor got back to me on Saturday (next day) and explained that there were issues with the shutter and film transport. He explained what needed to be done and I gave him the go ahead. Well, here it is five days later and I have the camera back.

I made sure to check the serial number, because I couldn't believe it was the same camera. The shutter is accurate at all speeds and the film transport is buttery smooth. In addition the entire camera has been cleaned up. The viewfinder which was dim is now bright and clear. I was thinking about getting a Maxwell screen, but the original is restored to practically new condition, polished, clear and bright!

I have a Rolleicord Vb that I thought was in excellent condition. I just finished packing it up. It's off to Krikor tomorrow.

I've used many repair people over the years. I used to think of Mark Hama and Ken Ruth (both of whom are excellent) as 'the best'. Well, as far as Rollei's are concerned, Krikor is the man! I understand Harry Fleenor is excellent as well, but he has a long waiting period. Just thought I'd share my experience with the membership!

Respectfully,

Jeff

Just loaded some Delta 100.
 
JeffGreene said:
After some delays, I sent my newly acquired Rolleiflex MX-EVS to Krimar Photo for a CLA following numerous recommendations from friends on p-net. Sent the camera on Friday, Krikor got back to me on Saturday (next day) and explained that there were issues with the shutter and film transport. He explained what needed to be done and I gave him the go ahead. Well, here it is five days later and I have the camera back.

I made sure to check the serial number, because I couldn't believe it was the same camera. The shutter is accurate at all speeds and the film transport is buttery smooth. In addition the entire camera has been cleaned up. The viewfinder which was dim is now bright and clear. I was thinking about getting a Maxwell screen, but the original is restored to practically new condition, polished, clear and bright!

I have a Rolleicord Vb that I thought was in excellent condition. I just finished packing it up. It's off to Krikor tomorrow.

I've used many repair people over the years. I used to think of Mark Hama and Ken Ruth (both of whom are excellent) as 'the best'. Well, as far as Rollei's are concerned, Krikor is the man! I understand Harry Fleenor is excellent as well, but he has a long waiting period. Just thought I'd share my experience with the membership!

Respectfully,

Jeff

Just loaded some Delta 100.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up Jeff. I have a MX-EVS that needs help, as well as a 2.8e that was not well serviced last time it went to the doctor. I think I'll send the MX-EVS in first and see how it goes.

Mike
 
Krikor is great indeed. He's done wonders with my 3.5F, Vb and 35 SE. I want to get my 3.5E and MX-EVS to him next. He's really fast!

His shop in NJ is a hole in the wall, but the sort of place I could stay in all day.
 
Thanks for the info. I spoke to him about a month ago regarding my Rolleiflex. I guess I should send it in.

I think I'm a bit nervous, however, as I'm sending it from Canada and have to have faith that it will get returned and not lost or held up or whatever. I may just be paranoid. But it's my baby.
 
Paddy:

Krikor has been repairing Rolleis for 44 years. I can't speak for the international shipping issue, but do recommend him without qualifications. He is the East Coast Rollei guru with Harry Fleenor being the West Coast guy. He worked for Marflex as chief technician when they were the East coast official Rollei repair facility. It appears that his turnaround is quite short now. I don't know where you're located, but Ken Ruth is the guy Harry Fleenor on the West Coast subs out the Automat work to when he gets really busy. Ken's a great guy as well, but also has a waiting list. Enjoy your rollei.

Jeff
 
Sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. I had a similar one with an old expert before he retired, blatant full, thumb prints on the inside of my lens and oil that showed up on the blades months after a cla. I sent it back and it was taken care of though. I think it's important to update these reviews as there are those who use the search button.
 
I purchased a 1952 Automat which took sharp pictures but was very dim. I took it to Krikor for a Maxwell screen. He installed the screen and calibrated the focus. The camera never took a sharp photograph again. I took the camera back to him 5 times, he calibrated the focus again and again. To be sure there was no "user error" I asked him to take pictures with the camera. Each time the film was totally out of focus. At my request, Krikor removed the Maxwell screen and reinstalled the original screen. Total cash loss - $250 for the Maxwell screen and installation plus another $150 in film and development costs. Krikor said "some cameras cannot be repaired" and would not refund me the total amount, saying the Maxwell screen was now used. He offered me a 50% refund for the Maxwell screen but I decided to keep the screen.

It's really a shame.

I have a 2.8 Planar that I bought from Krikor that works great. When and if it ever needs repair, I'll send it to someone else.
 
I'm sorry to hear about Krikor's vision issue. I guess I was lucky. I sent him my 2.8F about a year or two ago and his CLA was again flawless. I guess I've just been lucky. I have used Mark Hansen for my Primo Jr. He also apparently works on Rolleis. He's never worked on one of my my Rolleis, but his work on my Primo Jr. was excellent. He cleaned up the screen, recolimated the lens, and adjusted the shutter, all for about $70. I recommend him highly for Primo Jr's which is comparable to a Rollei 44.
 
I sent him a 2.8F and Automat in December. Same ridiculously fast turnaround, 6 days from mail to mail (including a weekend). After telling me there wasn't much he could do for the Automat he did adjust the focus, which is all it needed anyway -- and he did it for free. So it works great now. Got the 2.8F working perfectly; replaced the meter cell so I have a perfectly working 2.8F (albeit with a little lens separation; not much to do about that but the lens works fine).

I've had nothing but great results using him.
 
Krikor is indeed amazing!

I sent him my 3.5F which has already been to Harry Fleenor and Clarence Gass. Both of these repairmen are great, but they both say that they don't have meter parts. After a web search, it turns out that Krikor had meter parts.

In my case, I knew that the selenium cell and the meter windings were bad.
Krikor replaced both, and calibrated it to perfection. He called me when he received the camera, and it was literally in the mail the next day. Turnaround was less than 1 week. Now the Rolleiflex meter (made by Gossen) matches my Gossen Luna Pro F, which has been perfectly calibrated by Quality Light Metric. Cost for this service, as of Feb. 5, 2012 was $250.
 
4174450389_c1f759f40d_b.jpg
 
I sent Mr. Maralian an email about sending him a Rolleiflex and he didn't respond although I received a bounce back email that promised a reply. I sent the camera to Essex Camera Service instead.
 
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