lf-photo.org.uk

Hello all,

Just like the title says can anyone recommend somewhere in the UK (preferably London since I can then simply drop it off) that can repair a compound shutter. The shutter in question works but seems to be running fast (ie. 1 sec is running at more like half a second).

Many thanks.

Try giving Malcolm Taylor a ring on 01568 770542. He specialises in Leica and Arri, but he's been able to service some of my Schneider lenses and their shutters. Basically anything mechanical, but he can't deal with electronics, not even the metering systems in Leicas. Unfortunately for you, he lives in fairly remote Herefordshire, but give him a ring and see what he has to say.

Nick

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give him a call.

Hi folks

I've just spoken to Malcolm Taylor. For future reference of those searching this subject, his details can be found on the Leica Forum.

Malcolm sounds like a real gem, known worldwide and with a workshop packed with all sorts of machinery, including a vacuum coating machine for re-coating lenses!

But, beware, he is only a one-man shop and has a reputation for being "fussy"; in other words, he takes his time and gets the job right This can mean that you might have to wait for longer than you thought for your repair but that it should be worth the wait.

By the way, he doesn't have internet access, so you will have to contact him by phone.

Scott, would you please post your experiences of his work when you get your shutter back?

Another option would be Newton Ellis in Liverpool. Turnaround time may be faster. The 3 jobs that they have done for me were first class.

George

Malcolm recently fixed up the anodising on my 240mm APO germinar. Excellent job, exceedingly reasonably priced but as Joanna politely alludes - took many weeks. I have always been happy to wait for special things - he re coated an old 50mm collapsible elmar for me (why did I bother !) and has serviced various Leica Ms for me. Lovely man, photography enthusiast and work of exceptional quality. I wouldnt send run of the mill jobs to him I think, not because he couldnt do them but a waste of his talents.

As I used to live in Shropshire, I was able to pop over to see Malcolm and have used him on a number of occasions for servicing of Leicas and Leica bits, repairs to Yashica/Contax Zeiss lenses, servicing to Copal shutters on Schneider lenses, etc. I've also bought some Leica lenses from him, including a 28 mm f6.3 Hektor, similar to that used by the late James Ravilious. When I mentioned James' name, Malcolm lit up, as he'd done a lot of work for him in the past. I recommended that he get in touch with the Beaford archive so that he could re-establish contact with Robin Ravilious.

If you do visit, keep an eye out for his Bugatti vises, sitting on the floor. Works of art, even for something as humble as a simple tool for holding a piece of metal steady.

I do need to speak to him soon, as I have a Fujinon 150mm lens that has an acid-etched fingerprint on the front element, and I'm hopeful that it can be serviced and the lens recoated.

Nick

Wow, that is quite the collective endorsement of Malcolm's work. Thank you to all of you.

Like some of you have suggested, Malcolm told me that he is quoting about 4 - 8 weeks for repairs at the moment. So I need to decide whether I can do without the lens for that long or if I have to find someone else to take a look at it.

Thanks again to all of you that have chipped in - I'll keep you apprised of what I decide.

George Hart wrote:Another option would be Newton Ellis in Liverpool. Turnaround time may be faster. The 3 jobs that they have done for me were first class.

George

I'd have no difficulty in endorsing Newton Ellis' work, they've serviced my stuff very well in the past.........ironically the only one which hasn't gone as well as the others, was for a large old Compound, which will have to go back for some more treatment

andrew