Recommendation wanted: Plaubel Makina repairer in the UK

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Sporriegetta

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I've just had an email back from Plaubel, they've suspended service and repairs for the Makina 67s due to lack of demand. They're considering outsourcing but don't seem to be in any rush. Can anyone recommend any repairers in the UK or the EU that I could contact?
 
This is disappointing twice over. First, because they're no longer going to service their cameras (although I understand the reasoning and can't blame them) and secondly because they discontinued service before settling on a outsourced solution. They should have continued servicing their products until securing a reasonable alternative for their customers.
 
Give Camserve in Sussex a call. They fixed the meter in mine a couple of years ago and it's still working today.
 
There's a guy on eBay called wizcam who used to have a repair shop in New York called Panorama Camera. He seems to have a few Makina viewfinders in stock and is confident that he can repair my camera. Has anyone here ever used this repairer?


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I've had a recommendation for his work now from another repairer in the US. So thinking he could be the man. By contrast I found some guys in the UK that can also replace the VF but sending to the US even with postage and customs etc is cheaper!


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Camera is back from the US. Brand new VF which is looking superb. Other issues appear fixed although I'm yet to run a test roll through to check the meter or compare it to my other meters and cameras. Will confirm that asap but so far a great experience bar the eBay global shipping program's idea of tracking. Took 2 weeks though so not too bad. Btw the repairer had the camera for a week or so then it was back on its way home.


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OK So that was Panorama Camera that did this work for you? Please follow up and tell us what you find after using it for a bit. There are not many repair people for Plaubel Makina cameras with experience.
 
I will and I'm well aware of this. This guy seems to know his stuff but I don't want to commit until I've used it. I'm aching to go shoot some stuff but I'm so busy and trying to remodel my garden at the same time! I'll come back in a week or two though with more info.


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I'm inquiring with Wizcam about replacing some missing parts in my Makina III viewfinder. Frank Marshman made some parts, but it dosen't focus clear out to infinity. If Wizcam says he can do it, I may well give it a go.

The camera is well worth fully restoring.
 
OK I'm giving Wizcam a try. He responded several times and I'm sending him my Makina III.
I'm hoping that he will have the required parts that are missing in my camera.
 
Nokton48 said:
OK I'm giving Wizcam a try. He responded several times and I'm sending him my Makina III.
I'm hoping that he will have the required parts that are missing in my camera.
Click to expand...



I think he's a good guy. We've hit a bit of a snag with mine which wasn't immediately apparent so I'm not committing to a review just yet. But he's resolving the issue no questions asked, and covering the shipping costs both ways. I'd expect you'll be happy with him.


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Yeah his emails are responsive and positive. He just keeps it short, that's ok with me.

I mailed my Makina III to him today. I had to pay through Ebay and he will refund me on any overages. Seems fair enough to me.
 
OK he is replacing the Makina III rangefinder cam, calibrating the rangefinder, and cleaning the rangefinder glasses. Total cost $168 including shipping, he will refund money to me via Paypal. He says camera will be ready in seven-ten days.

So all good so far.
 
Good to hear. I got mine back a couple of days ago. (Actually it came back a couple of weeks ago but there was still a little glitch but he said to send it back and he'd sort it right away and cover the post and packaging which he did) I think it was gone for 10 days the second time which means he must have sorted it pretty jolly fast). Anyway it's in tip top working condition now and ready for some action. Really pleased and happy to recommend him to others. I think he must have some of the last new rangefinder units left on the planet too. Oh and he even told me how to make adjustments to the rangefinder patch calibration too. Hard to work out but when you know it's a doddle.


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I agree he seems a great resource. Yes probably the last original Plaubel Makina parts on the planet. He called me today and we talked for a few minutes, he's pleasant to talk to. He was concerned about the groundglass back I sent him, he did some work on it, and replaced what i had with original Makina Plaubel ground glass. An extra charge for that but worth every single penny. He says clean bright beautiful and completely repaired so I should be very happy with his work. It's on it's way to me via USPS Priority with tracking from Staten Island. He has a very thick accent so perhaps that is why his conversations are so short.

I may have some more work for him :)
 
Sporriegetta said:
I've just had an email back from Plaubel, they've suspended service and repairs for the Makina 67s due to lack of demand. They're considering outsourcing but don't seem to be in any rush. Can anyone recommend any repairers in the UK or the EU that I could contact?
Click to expand...


For those interested in servicing their Makinas I learned today that Plaubel has partnered with someone for parts and repair: Wiese Fototechnik

http://www.plaubel.com
 
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