Camera Servicing in Melbourne

[katcall]

Good Morning Aussie APUG's

Having never had my cameras professionally cleaned or serviced, thinking it's about time I should probably do that. Was hoping that someone in Melbourne (or anyone out of Melbourne that knows someone in Melbourne) could recommend or advise on companies or persons that could provide this service. I'm a bit scared about handing over my equipment but think my NIkon FM2n and Bronica ETRs really do need a service. I live really close to where Helmut Brix had his shop but it is now closed so no longer a choice.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Regards


Kathy

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

The Camera Clinic in Easey St, Collingwood do great work for a reasonable price, and they will treat your equipment with respect. I had my Hasselblad lens serviced there and was very happy.

 

[blokeman]

With all respect to Kevins opinion, I found the Clinic to be a bit pricey, (admittedly I haven't tried them for a few years) and since another repairer/servicer I used has retired, I now use Camera Exchange in Lonsdale St and have found them to be good and reasonably priced. But, wherever you go the labour costs will see that you won't get any change from $100 even for the simplest of services. Maybe you should talk to all of them to get an idea of their quoting systems? That yellow-covered selling magazine from newsagents CAMERA TRADER always has lists of repairers. I have been told there is a very reputable repairer I think in QLD but I can't remember just now who it was. Good luck!

 

[katcall]

Thanks Kevin and Blokeman,

Hope you are both enjoying this glorious day. Thanks for the info, I'll check them both out. It's probably still a small price to pay to keep the gear in good condition and cheaper than having to buy new equipment. I'll also get a copy of camera trader and check our repairers there.

Thanks for your help.

Kathy

 

[Mick Fagan]

Kathy, I also live very close to where Helmut Brix was and did in fact get him to fiddle with some Retinas and some Nikkor lenses.

Another place in Melbourne for the type of camera(s) you have, is The Shutter Box, they are in Hartwell.

It's a Husband and wife team, she is Chinese and IIRC used to work for the Chinese company who make Seagull cameras, as an engineer or something like that. He is (was) a doctor who somehow has made the move to camera repairs. I have personally known John on and off for around 30 + years. I do know that he has worked in Germany and the USA in the medical arena.

If you were comfortable with Helmut and his kind of set-up, then you will be more than likely comfortable with their set-up. You walk into the shop and are talking to the owner/repairer.

This year I took my 55 micro nikkor for a service as the internal lubricant had weeped onto the aperture blades after an extremely hot time sitting in the sun all day.

I'm very happy with the repair/service and the lens is now more sharp than it was before as John collimated the elements and cleaned all the internal elements from 20 years of dust collecting.

Best of all they are open Saturday mornings, I think to 1300hrs.

03 9809 4711

They do have a website so if you google them you should be able to find them.

Mick.

 

[katcall]

Hi Mick

We must be just about neighbours. Thanks for that info, I think I might give them a try. Hartwell is also a bit more convenient, less city traffic to have to deal with. Thanks for the info.

Regards


Kathy