recommend repair for speed graphic

[ckuang]

Hi, I've recently purchased an old speed graphic that hasn't been used in 50 years, and it certainly needs a great deal of tuning and oil to get it running again. Was just wondering if anyone could recommend a good technician to do a CLA on my speed graphic? I'm based in California, so a technician in the states would probably be best to save on shipping costs. Any advice would be great. thanks.

 

[Gumby]

Steve Choi. Steve's Camera Repair. Culver City, CA. Google and you'l find his web site... including pics of him repairing a Speed Graphic.

 

[ckuang]

Hi Gumby, thanks for the recommend. Actually, I did send it to Steve but they said it was going to take a month and cost me around $350. At that kind of rate and time frame, I figured I could just buy another camera for the same price. I was just wondering if there was anyone who might be able to do it for less.

 

[ChrisN]

True, but the problem is that for $350 you'll probably get another one that needs work. Whereas if you spend the $350 on the one you already have, you should end up with one as good as new, if the man is as good as Gumby's recommendation indicates.

 

[BTMarcais]

Karl @ Seawood Photo up in Marin has always been pretty good for that kind of thing. It might still take a month depending on how backlogged he is at the time, but I doubt it will cost 350$...

 

[ethics_gradient]

I think Steve's prices are high in general; I was quoted $125 to re-do the alignment on my R3a. It takes 5 minutes to do it myself. Garland (a repair shop that I have used, based in Texas) probably would have charged me $50, which is a lot more reasonable IMO.

Fred Lustig in Nevada is known as the go-to guy on Graflex's, but he doesn't do e-mail, so you'll have to dig up a phone number.

 

[Gumby]

Oh, you contacted Steve already; you never mentioned that. Steve isn't the cheapest but he is incredibly honest and does incredibly good work. His time estimates have always been more than he's ever really needed.

I think there may be something else you're not telling us. So, how "rough" condition is this camera... really?

As Chris said, the benefit of having an old camera totally overhauled is that you'll end up with a "just like new" camera. The cost is, well, costly to do so. But if you intend to really use it that might be an option to consider. For "playing around" purposes you might be able to find a better condition camera that won't require so much in the way of repair.

 

[ckuang]

So the verdict is that i left the camera at steve's to be fixed. He quoted me around 150 to cla the lens, so I decided to hold back on that and use the money to just buy another lens, but pay for the body to be repaired since i guess no mater who i get the camera from, I'll need some level of CLA

 

[alecj]

You made the right decision about the lens. Carol at http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/
will do that job much less than your quote, if it is not a junker. She's in Whittier.