Lens Repairs in New Zealand?

[Catto]

Hey folks, just joined the group today -

Found myself a good deal on a used, but mint condition, Bessa R recently (got it with the 35mm f/2.5 Colour Skopar - for the price of the lens alone), and did something I haven't done in over ten years: dropped my camera. Landed face down on the lens, the same way a piece of toast will always land on the peanut butter side. I thought the leather case had taken most of the damage, but now it seems there might be more to it.

Last time I did it (to my Canon T90 w. 50mm f/1.4) I got away with a slightly dented polarizer; this time, the lens seems to be unhappy. I now encounter some resistance getting to either f/2.5 or f/22, although it still seems to focus - though I should really reserve judgement on that until I get my current film back, I guess.

So - does anyone happen to know anyone in New Zealand who knows their way around these particular lenses? I could take it to Melbourne with me in March, but I'd rather have it back before then if I can.

Many thanks,
R

 

[back alley]

ouch!

and welcome to the forum.

joe

 

[taffer]

Welcome Catto !!!

Btw, curious that you mention that accident because a very similar one happened to my own 35/2.5 some time ago (that time it wasn't me but somebody dropped my bag with the camera inside 😡 ) and after that the step from 2.8 to 2.5 is no longer as smooth as it used to be.

My recommendation however is to wait for your film and check. It's somewhat of an annoying problem but if the lens still operates correctly you can consider it a battle mark 🙂

 

[Catto]

...the step from 2.8 to 2.5 is no longer as smooth as it used to be...if the lens still operates correctly you can consider it a battle mark.

S'pose you're right, but I guess I'm concerned that I'm making it worse by using it - ie. that I might be grinding the iris plates together, or something. I'll see how it goes for the next ten frames or so (until I finish this film) and decide at that stage.

Thanks,
R

 

[Stu :)]

Whoa-woo! Another kiwi. I'm not alone in the world anymore!

Two words - GOOD LUCK!
Lacklands is the Leica 'people' here in NZ, but they don't take kindly to CV stuff (something to do with CV RFs cutting into their sales margin).
There are a couple of guys here in Auckland who fix all manner of old camera stuff... for a price (Got quoted $150-200NZ for CLA on my Canonet).

Finish the film. See what happens. If it's still 'kak-put' or making horrid grinding noises your not happy with, I could bring it back to life. Or it might be cheaper to go buy a new lens.

Also how did the RF alignment hold up from the drop?

Stu 🙂

PS. You didn't buy that Bessa R and 35mm from TradeMe seller on the North Shore did you?

 

[Catto]

G'day, Stu...

G'day, Stu...

You didn't buy that Bessa R and 35mm from TradeMe seller on the North Shore did you?

Yeah, don't tell John I dropped it, okay? It was in MINT condition when it arrived - packed back in the little bubble bags, in the original boxes. You can't tell I dropped it (all the cosmetic damage happened to the leather cover from Wellington Photographic Supplies) - until you stop it down...

Good to know about Lacklands, I was going to try the GJ Sparrow folks in Wellington who repair cameras but thought I'd see if there were other options out there. I might see what they say before pursuing the 'official' route if that's likely to be even worse.

RF Alignment seems okay, at least for now - I've been shooting pohutakawa blossoms in the wind, which are hard to line up at the best of times, so I might find myself a nice building to test on instead before I finish this film. It's not so much the grinding noises as the feel, the amount of force required to get to the end of the dial that worries me.

Have to think about what CLA might be - clean, lube & alignment? - was that at Town Hall Cameras, or somewhere smaller?
R

 

[taffer]

Robert I'd say the problem is in the aperture ring more than on the diaphragm blades. I've been using that lens regularly since that happened (a couple months ago) and it just stays that way, no better, no worse.

Also that's my 'combat' lens that was also sprayed with salt water short after purchasing it (used) 😛. Anyway both barrel and optics still look like new and that little problem will teach me not to leave my bag out of my reach anymore.

Btw I've a Spanish-Kiwi friend working there in Hamilton, his name in the TradeMe site is torrija, and even though I managed to pass him the camera bug, I couldn't do with the specific RF one (yet) 🙂

Let us know how the little lens goes, let me tell you that its images are first rate !

Good luck !

Oscar

 

[Stu :)]

Give Lacklands call, if they say no, ring up Euroco here in Auckland and ask who fixes Cosina Voigtlander (aka the new Voigtlanders Bessa L, R, T, R2, etc) cameras and lenses. Euroco are the company that imports Voigtlander into NZ. Also try Bob Pinker at CR Kennedy, he's a fan of the new Voigtlanders and try Auckland Camera Centre. One of the guys their is old Voigtlander fan, but he might know somewhere or one who could fix your lens.

I now avoid Town Hall cameras all costs now. There are two freelancers up here I've had words with.

The only used camera shops I bother with are Pro Gear, Auckland Camera Centre and Photo&Vid in ChCh.

I don't know John or whoever sold you the Bessa R + lens, but now with a burning desire for a Leica M2 in my belly (Brian's master plan swings into action again) I could have sold you a the same setup for less (asssuming you paid $600 for it?).

Stu 🙂


Lacklands 09 630 0753
Euroco - 09 360 2586
CR Kennedy (NZ) Ltd - 0800-4-CRKNZ (0800 427 569)
Auckland Camera Centre - 09 849 4920

 

[Catto]

Well, for the future reference of the group, there's apparently a guy in Petone who repairs such things - not too expensive, if you don't mind waiting. I'm going to track him down next week (when my car's back from the panelbeaters - which WASN'T my fault) and see how I go.

(Oscar - you're probably right, it would be fine - but rather than enjoying the silkiness of the camera, I'm now reminded of my dopey accident every time I pick it up. Silly, I know. But the thing I was enjoying about the Bessa was that it made my job back into my hobby - so enjoying the process of using the camera was more the point than the images made, at least for now.)

Just in case you drop your Bessa while on holiday in NZ...remember this thread!
R

 

[Stu :)]

but rather than enjoying the silkiness of the camera, I'm now reminded of my dopey accident every time I pick it up. Silly, I know. But the thing I was enjoying about the Bessa was that it made my job back into my hobby - so enjoying the process of using the camera was more the point than the images made, at least for now.)

Just in case you drop your Bessa while on holiday in NZ...remember this thread!
R

And I'll bet you'll never do it again right?

Stu 🙂

 

[Catto]

And I'll bet you'll never do it again right?

Of course not - I'll drop the 1DMkII (he said, touching wood), with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS that I don't even OWN yet, it's so expensive. Now, THAT's a rig worth DROPPING.
R!

 

[taffer]

Oscar - you're probably right, it would be fine - but rather than enjoying the silkiness of the camera, I'm now reminded of my dopey accident every time I pick it up.

Hehe, don't tell me, I know that feeling really well 😀 What happened to mine is that the outer chrome ring got a bit pushed inside, probably not more than half a mm but that had its effect to the 2.8-2.5 step nonetheless.

Let us know how it ends, good luck !