Advance Camera Repairs - A Job Well Done!
May 15, 2018 16:06:05 #
I just received my AsahiFlex IIa serial number 55930 after its repair by Advance. Looks really good! The shutter sounds correct, everything works smoothly. The camera looks like new, except for some scuffs on base plate from tripod attachment. The prior owner had apparently kept it in the ever ready case, which I have.
The work involved complete disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, calibration, and rebuilding the wind and transport systems, plus custom cutting a new mirror. While the work wasn't cheap, at least Advance either had the needed parts, or could fabricate them. Given that the IIa was introduced in February 1955 I'm glad that it could be repaired.
Now to find the 83 mm f 1.9 Takumar and the 35 mm f 2.8 Tower from my Father's kit. He used his IIa along with extension tubes and bellows for much macro and near macro work, calculating exposure compensation with a slide rule. His IIa, as a consequence of much use - not abuse - most in woodlands for flower photography, is in pretty rough, unusable condition, so when I happened on a IIa in excellent cosmetic condition I bought it. Happily I could afford the repair costs.
The work involved complete disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, calibration, and rebuilding the wind and transport systems, plus custom cutting a new mirror. While the work wasn't cheap, at least Advance either had the needed parts, or could fabricate them. Given that the IIa was introduced in February 1955 I'm glad that it could be repaired.
Now to find the 83 mm f 1.9 Takumar and the 35 mm f 2.8 Tower from my Father's kit. He used his IIa along with extension tubes and bellows for much macro and near macro work, calculating exposure compensation with a slide rule. His IIa, as a consequence of much use - not abuse - most in woodlands for flower photography, is in pretty rough, unusable condition, so when I happened on a IIa in excellent cosmetic condition I bought it. Happily I could afford the repair costs.
May 16, 2018 07:54:38 #
Sounds good. So, where are they located and how are their wait times and prices?
May 16, 2018 08:14:51 #
Nosaj wrote:
Sounds good. So, where are they located and how are their wait times and prices?
Google is your friend😄
Try advancecamera.com.
May 16, 2018 08:54:55 #
Nosaj wrote:
Sounds good. So, where are they located and how are their wait times and prices?
Advance Camera is in Portland, Oregon. They had my AsahiFlex for about two months. Price? I don't really have any points of comparisons. The 'Flex is about 63 years old, and they aren't commonly available. Given the Flex's age and "rarity" I doubt that there are many hulks to be parted out. The cost for a common camera for which parts are readily available would probably be less than I paid. Advance does offer an on-line estimate which would probably help for a Pentax LX or Nikon F3, for example.
May 16, 2018 09:04:07 #
GeorgeH wrote:
Advance Camera is in Portland, Oregon. They had m... (show quote)
How much did you pay for your repair?
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