Mike Fish
Mike in Sacramento
A while back I bought a Rolleiflex MX-EVS Tessar off the big auction site. The seller had it advertised as "for parts or not working" because, he said, it would only focus to 8 ft and then it would stop. It turned out he was looking at the small window above the viewing lens, and thought the f-stop "8" was the focusing distance. And because of the particular EV that was set, he couldn't get past "8."
There was nothing at all wrong with the camera operationally! He had, however, failed to mention a cosmetic issue that didn't clearly show in the pictures. I contacted the seller and explained the camera operated fine, but considering the cosmetic issue we called it even. So I got a decent user-grade MX-EVS for what I think is a pretty good price.
I shot a few rolls and I loved the way lens rendered and the camera handled. But it had a ding on a lower corner of the lens board and I wasn’t sure everything was square. And the speeds maybe weren’t as consistent as they could be.
From RFF I knew Harry Fleenor was “the guy” so I emailed him to check about sending the camera. He told me what the process was and how long it would take to get an estimate, and so I sent it.
Along with all of the other issues with the camera the covering looked a little ratty, wasn’t even black any more in some spots, and was lifting in several places. So when I sent it for the estimate I asked about having it re-skinned while he had it apart.
Right on schedule the estimate came back. It was very detailed, and very thorough, and very much more than I had naively expected - for the shutter, transport, and lens alignment/collimation. But since I had picked it up so cheaply, and because the glass was good, I decided to give the go-ahead. All except the covering. I’d just have to live with the covering until a later date, and do it myself.
I gave the go ahead, made my payment, and received a confirmation of the timeframe.
Today, right on schedule, I received the camera in UPS.
Oh.
My.
Gawd!
The difference is amazing. It operates much more smoothly and quietly. the focusing, the winding, the sound of the shutter - it is like a different camera. A new camera.
And… the covering is great. He glued the edges that were coming loose, and evidently must have cleaned and even recolored it - because it doesn’t look like it needs replacing anymore.
So I just wanted to report, “Yes. Harry Fleenor really is THAT good.”
-mike
.
There was nothing at all wrong with the camera operationally! He had, however, failed to mention a cosmetic issue that didn't clearly show in the pictures. I contacted the seller and explained the camera operated fine, but considering the cosmetic issue we called it even. So I got a decent user-grade MX-EVS for what I think is a pretty good price.
I shot a few rolls and I loved the way lens rendered and the camera handled. But it had a ding on a lower corner of the lens board and I wasn’t sure everything was square. And the speeds maybe weren’t as consistent as they could be.
From RFF I knew Harry Fleenor was “the guy” so I emailed him to check about sending the camera. He told me what the process was and how long it would take to get an estimate, and so I sent it.
Along with all of the other issues with the camera the covering looked a little ratty, wasn’t even black any more in some spots, and was lifting in several places. So when I sent it for the estimate I asked about having it re-skinned while he had it apart.
Right on schedule the estimate came back. It was very detailed, and very thorough, and very much more than I had naively expected - for the shutter, transport, and lens alignment/collimation. But since I had picked it up so cheaply, and because the glass was good, I decided to give the go-ahead. All except the covering. I’d just have to live with the covering until a later date, and do it myself.
I gave the go ahead, made my payment, and received a confirmation of the timeframe.
Today, right on schedule, I received the camera in UPS.
Oh.
My.
Gawd!
The difference is amazing. It operates much more smoothly and quietly. the focusing, the winding, the sound of the shutter - it is like a different camera. A new camera.
And… the covering is great. He glued the edges that were coming loose, and evidently must have cleaned and even recolored it - because it doesn’t look like it needs replacing anymore.
So I just wanted to report, “Yes. Harry Fleenor really is THAT good.”
-mike
.
