BartHx

Awhile back, I posted about having sent my Mamiya m645 1000s body, 80mm f/4 lens, and metered pentaprism to Kurt's Camera Repair in San Diego for a general cleaning and service and for possible repair of the meter (it was draining batteries). I have now gotten it back, but have not yet had a chance to run any film through it. My evaluation of specifics so far is as follows:
--With the exception of the cover for the flash sync. connectors on the body, it was returned with all caps, covers, and original factory boxes with which it was sent. I have two 645 bodies and only use one at a time, so that is not a significant issue.
--The specific issues I had noted of sluggish response in the body and lens (old lubricant) have been corrected and both items seem to now be functioning properly. They found no need to replace any parts other than light seals and mirror pads.
--They did not attempt any repair on the meter in the pentaprism because they no longer have access to any repair parts. I am still able to use the pentaprism by putting electrical tape over the contacts between it and the body and using my Luna Pro meter (yes, I have the correct batteries for the Luna Pro).
--I do not consider the price to be unreasonable for a camera I intend to continue using. It came to $377 total.
--I did find two BIG problems in dealing with the shop. 1) With an original estimate of eight to ten weeks to clean and service one body and one lens and to check the functioning of the meter, I called them at the end of nine weeks and twice more in subsequent weeks asking for a progress report. The most detailed report I could get was that they were "working on it" and 2) The actual time needed to do the identified, routine service was sixteen weeks.

My overall evaluation to date is that their quality of work and their prices are reasonable. However, if you plan to use your camera anytime in the next four or five months and plan to shoot a test roll first when you get it back, look somewhere else for service.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Personally, I would not have found the time to repair acceptable, and I think the price is a bit high also, but admittedly, I haven’t had any repairs done recently. Thanks for posting the report.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Based upon YELP and 152 reviewers they rate a 4.5. I assume you checked other places before you decided on Kurts. I don't work for Kurts but my sense was they needed more time to do the job correctly.Being a mechanical machine it may take longer than the estimate.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

You can get a used Mamiya 645 1000s body only on ebay for about $150. In many cases replacing is cheaper than fixing.

Ctrclckws

Yes, replacing can be cheaper than repair. But with repair, you know how the item was treated and its general condition.

With replace, there is a risk that the "new" item will be in worse condition.

It's always a choice, isn't it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Remember, when buying from ebay, you have several weeks to put the camera through it's paces. If you know a lot about the camera you purchased, it should not take long to determine it's condition. If it does not come up to snuff, you simply return it for a full refund. Ebay protects the buyer. And yes, it is that easy.
NO RISK INVOLVED.

BartHx

I did consider the possibility of getting a replacement for my camera. I also considered that, given the time that has passed since that model has been manufactured, the replacement would likely be in need of similar servicing. I do have a second one with similar issues which I am planning to keep as a parts donor. Had I found a replacement body that was not in need of servicing, I would have still had a lens in need of servicing. Then I threw in the factor which, as a non-professional, I am able to include. That particular camera has significant sentimental value to me. I am not dissatisfied that I decided to have the work done. My only issue is that to clean and service one camera and one lens (neither of which required any mechanical repairs) should not take sixteen weeks and, once the estimated repair time has expired (they did inspect it before making that estimate) you should be able to get some sort of progress update. According to the repair invoices, they disassembled as necessary to clean out the old lubricant, relubed, calibrated the electronic shutter, and checked the lens focus. They also replaced the light seals and mirror pads. Every time I called (starting after nine weeks) to check on their progress, I was told that the technician was working on it but that he was not currently in the building.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

I used to overhaul shutters on most cameras for $12.00.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

There is a shop in Niles, IL, Precision Camera Works, it is run and owned by one of the best (former) Mamiya technicians. He does good work and is reasonably quick if they don't need parts. Their factory still exists in Japan, just changed names when Phase One bought them.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Sorry, Duplicate

BartHx

Thank you for the information. I will keep that in mind and contact him about the meter in the finder.