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dee * [ adopted ] dowling
dee
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 31 2009 : 4:53:01 PM
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I am awaiting Contax III , bought from USA and sent directly to Mike Haley and his ex-arsenal merry men . They were able to fix the original shutter , tidy up a dint in the meter door , and fit a new cell . Full CLA and 6 months warranty of course .
Total cost , £125 plus £75 - with tested and checked Sonnar collapsible .
... OK , I could have had my 1954 Kiev III sorted for just the £75 , and I doubt I will be able to tell the difference in useage ... but Contax called !
dee |
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Vladislav Kern
Vlad
USA
4252 Posts
My Collection
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Posted - Feb 02 2009 : 9:30:06 PM
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| Dee, I'm curious what's their turnaround time to do something like that? It must take a while to send it to Kiev and get it back... |
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dee * [ adopted ] dowling
dee
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2009 : 12:21:58 PM
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Hi Vlad .
The link to Mike Haley is - http : // alien-planet.net/cameras_for_sale.htm .
He quotes 14 days fixing time and 14 - 18 days return , I would suggest 2-3 weeks to arrive from USA .
He charges 30 to 45 euro for CLA and fixing , plus a bit more for cosmetic work .
My Contax [ with Sonnar checked with film ] was 65 euro with shipping to UK . I had it sent directly from a USA e-bay seller and had to pay 15 euro import duy .
To my mind , from UK , the wait is well worth the reasonable outlay , I guess about £70 in total from UK to CLA a Kiev 2 / 3 - meter cell a bit more .
My thoughts are this - buy a pre-1955 KNeB III or II [ Or Contax II / III ] for about £100 , and make it special for a total of less than £200 .
I was quoted about £120 in Uk for CLA and shutter tape repair - but without a working meter cell and testing the lens . I would also have had to pay much more import taxes from USA to UK .
It's still reasonable for such a lovely classic user camera ... I am less certain about the value of CLA of a Kiev 4 unless you have one already .
But I am not reasonable about Kievs !
dee
Regards
dee
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Vladislav Kern
Vlad
USA
4252 Posts
My Collection
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Posted - Feb 03 2009 : 12:26:56 PM
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Hi Dee,
thanks for the info! No it's definitely worth doing with cameras like a pre-1950 Kiev II or 1950-1952 Kiev III this way you know the repair was done at the place of manufacture and makes your collector's heart all warm and fuzzy  ..
Vlad. |
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dee * [ adopted ] dowling
dee
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 4:03:50 PM
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Hi Vlad ..
I love the thought of my Contax being revived in the Arsenal factory - even if camera production is long gone and the machinery gradually deteriorating .
The guys working on the Kievs are post 50 years old - and can make a 1/2 frame or pinhole Kiev - just ask Mike !
I may just have a Kiev II facsia stripped to no name , with "" II "" engraved , parts Nickel plated in the Uk , and back to MIke for finishing . This was my original dream camera .
Undee'cided ! |
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Vladislav Kern
Vlad
USA
4252 Posts
My Collection
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Posted - Feb 06 2009 : 4:33:13 PM
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Hi Dee,
sounds like you're building some serious custom Kiev collection! I beg you to post pictures if you have the ability! I am dying to see those creations!
Cheers,
Vlad. |
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Topic |
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CONTAX AWAITED - FROM KIEV !
