Repairing a Linhof 5x7

[r.e.]

I am going to be in New York in the next couple of weeks and I'm wondering whether anyone can tell me where I can get some repair work done on a Linhof Karden Bi 5x7. As I understand it, HP Marketing handles Linhof. Should I contact them or someone else?

This is the problem, in case anyone has a suggestion. I received the camera today by post from Switzerland (the seller is a member of this forum from Germany, principally as a vendor) and there is some damage to the rear standard focusing knob. The camera, instead of being packed in styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap, was packed in crumpled newspaper, and it looks like the knob took a knock in transit. See the attached photo. Basically, the knob is bent and the shaft of the knob has split the casing. The knob will turn, but in a circle, not on its axis.

I'm currently involved in an e-mail exchange with the vendor, who is having trouble with the idea that he has an obligation to deliver the camera in the condition in which he sold it and that he is the one who has to make an insurance claim with Swiss Post, with whom he contracted for the delivery. So far, he isn't even prepared to phone Linhof Germany, which happens to be in the same country in which he is located, to get a repair quote/find out whether they have the relevant parts.

In the meantime, I have plans to go to New York and I'd like to find out if there is someone there who can fix this. I'd like to think that this is fairly easy to correct, because otherwise the camera is in great shape. I'd much rather just get this repaired than get into a discussion about returning the camera, etc.

Thanks.

[Ari]

That sucks, sorry to hear that.
You might try contacting Richard Ritter, he's a contributor here and based in Vermont.
If you'll be driving from NL, it's somewhat on the way.
His website: http://www.lg4mat.net/index.html
I found that calling is much better than emailing.
Good luck.

[Arne Croell]

HP Marketing only handles Linhof sales. Repairs are done by Marflex in North Carolina:

Marflex Service Corp.
117 Anchorage Drive
US-Havelock, NC, 28532
252 6524401
Marflex@aol.com
(From the Linhof web site, http://www.linhof.de/kontakt.html)

The Bi, which was a great camera, is over 40 years old. Parts may no longer be available, check with Marflex. However, Kardan Bi parts show up on the German ebay in regular intervals.

[Bob Salomon]

Blazes in Toronto is the Canadian Linhof distributor. Have you checked with Mike there?

[r.e.]

Hi Bob,

I was hoping that you might surface. I divide my time between rural Newfoundland, way out here in the North Atlantic, and New York, so the latter is more convenient than Toronto. Indeed, it's closer, about two and a half hours in one of Continental's smaller planes :)

Do you know what is involved in fixing this, maybe someone in NY/NJ who could do the job? Is it a simple machinist's job, or more complicated than that? Basically, I think that the shaft needs to be straightened or replaced.

[Peter K]

I'd like to think that this is fairly easy to correct, because otherwise the camera is in great shape.
I don't think so, the repair-shop will need the spare parts: the, broken, bushing is pressed in the upper glider. Also you need the axis with the toothed wheel at the one end and the knob at the other end. Possible it's easier to exchange the whole focusing block.

[r.e.]

Peter,

Not what I wanted to hear, but thanks. The vendor has now agreed to initiate a claim with Swiss Post, so we are moving in the right direction.

[r.e.]

Peter,

I gather that you are involved in the German large format forum. If I can ask, do you know of someone in Germany who can fix this and/or acquire a new block in good shape?

[Peter K]

If I can ask, do you know of someone in Germany who can fix this and/or acquire a new block in good shape?
The first one I would ask is Linhof in Munich. But sometimes repair services in other countries have certain spare parts no more aviable in the factory. So ask Marflex and Blazes if the spare parts are aviable. The other source has Arne mentioned before, German ebay.

Good luck

Peter

[Bob Salomon]

Hi Bob,

I was hoping that you might surface. I divide my time between rural Newfoundland, way out here in the North Atlantic, and New York, so the latter is more convenient than Toronto. Indeed, it's closer, about two and a half hours in one of Continental's smaller planes :)

Do you know what is involved in fixing this, maybe someone in NY/NJ who could do the job? Is it a simple machinist's job, or more complicated than that? Basically, I think that the shaft needs to be straightened or replaced.

Only Marflex.

[r.e.]

I just want to thank Bob Salomon for referring me to Mike Boylan at Blazes Photo in Toronto. Blazes has the necessary parts - knob and shaft assembly, plus casing, both new - and can do the repair/replacement. That's good news. Thanks especially to Mike Boylan for responding so quickly. Mike took my call immediately and sent me an e-mail, within a few hours of receiving a photo from me showing the problem, confirming that he can fix this, and at a cost that I consider reasonable.

[JimL]

I recently inquired to Linos about Rodenstock aperture scales and Mike Boylan contacted me... it's good to have someone on our side in Canada :)

[r.e.]

An update...

On Friday, October 30th, I sent the part from rural Newfoundland to Mike Boylan in Toronto for repair. Today, one of his colleagues at his company, Blazes Photographic, sent me an e-mail saying that the repair has been done and that the part is on its way back to me. The bill was well within the estimate.

I should add that Martin from Marflex, to whom I had also sent an e-mail on October 29th, phoned me on October 30th to say that he did not have the particular parts that would be needed, but that Mike Boylan, with whom he had been in contact, did. I am quite impressed that Marflex went to that effort.

Linhof seems to be well-represented on this continent.

I should perhaps mention one other thing. Linhof, on its web site, says that parts for this camera are not available. While that may generally be true, it looks like it is not completely hard and fast. The repair that Blazes has done has been done with new-in-box parts. It looks to me like the various repairers, even for old Linhofs, may have bits here and bits there, and that they talk to one-another - a good thing for those who use Linhof cameras.

If only the insurance claim process with SwissPost were as efficient :)

[grahamcase]

I can vouch too for Mike at Blazes! He was super helpful when I was looking for a part for the Linhof Kardan ST-E I just from Frank on this forum. My parts are on their way, were very well priced, and they did not charge me shipping. All that on top of the impeccable service I received, I will certainly be contacting them with any future Linhof related problems I have.

Top notch Canadian dealer.