New camera repair service and custom machining in France

[Embdude]

How far are you from Paris?

[Mael]

Hello,

4 h 10 min (394,4 km) via A20 and A10 highways, approx. the same time with train.

Regards

[Mael]

Not all large format, but to illustrate what can be done, a double threaded ring (each thread different) on an old and exotic rangefinder camera, at the workshop for restoration :





New pressure plate that was missing from 0,5mm brass sheet and spring steel





A custom made ring for mounting a Primarflex lens on a Praktisix :



And a custom made cable release support in order to remove the Linhof proprietary "quick release"



That's all folks !

[dimento]

Great to hear about your wokshop and service Mael. Hope things are going well for you. I have some cameras that might need attention soon. Can you service/fix Koni Omega, Hasselblad lenses, copal shutters?

best
D

[Mael]

Hi,

I do Compur and Copal shutters, but not on Hasselblad lenses and I do nor repair Koni Omega lenses either.

For Hasselblad I can recommend Wilco Jansen in Netherlands.

[Mael]

What's new ? Restoration of an early Curt Bentzin 9X12 Reflex (around 1920) and 4X5 conversion for a customer that wants a LF reflex. New mirror, shutter overhaul.



The 4X5 spring back style I made from wood with a leatherette on top. Waiting for some new Deardorff spring to arrive, will have to machine some parts I couldn't order, and finish the conversion.

Original rotating back was milled to accept standard 4X5 film holder. (Lens to flange distance taken into consideration but the WLF ground glass can be set in height to compensate) Result is perfect with a 600mm collimator between rear ground glass and WLF ground glass.

Total cost including camera itself, restoration and modification around one grand.



Pictures of the springs I ordered

[Embdude]

Hello,

4 h 10 min (394,4 km) via A20 and A10 highways, approx. the same time with train.

Regards

Ah, I visit Paris for short work trips occasionally. Would offer to take you out for a beer... or maybe it is wine in France...

[Mael]

Hi folks !

Proud to announce I have acquired a LARGE STOCK OF NEW PARTS to OVERHAUL MOST OF LEAF SHUTTERS, including shutter and aperture blades, springs and main springs, escapments, body shell, Piston assembly, levers, etc. for :

-Compur Rim set prewar to post war and Compur Rapid size #00, 0, 1
-Compur Dial set prewar all sizes
-Synchro Compur #00, 0, 1, 2, 3
-COMPOUND all sizes !!! largest #3, 4, 5
-Copal #0, 1 and 3

I also have a large amount of used parts for exotic sizes like Dial Set #2, Seiko and others

The workshop is now ready to service all your shutters to bring them back to FULL FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS !

[MartyNL]

That's great news and sounds very reassuring!

[Mael]

Hi Marty.

I really don't know if it is reassuring.

Parts are more and more scarce and expensive, and photographic equipement becomes older and worn out.
Technicians that were working on them are going into retirement, without usually having transmitted their knowledge.
A lot of damage has resulted in the "all is easy to do" and "leaf shutter does only need to be flooded with lighter fluid" advices.

Many years ago equipement was sent for maintenance, because people using it knew it needed regular maintenance to last. Nowadays equipment is sent because it is broken.