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Hi folks - though it hasn't arrived yet, I've just managed to buy a Mount 370, 203mm f7.7 Kodak Ektar, in a Prontor SVS shutter. The glass appears to be in first class condition for its age, but I am assuming the shutter will probably be a bit off.
Does anyone have any recommendations about good repairmen/women in the UK, and also any ideas of costs?
I know with the Mount 370 I could just fit it into a Copal 0, but I rather like the idea of the extra aperture blades on the Prontor.
Oh . . and guess what . . it only cost me £45!
Cheers
Phil

Hi Phil

I had a an old Graphlex shutter serviced by Black on White in Bristol last year, great service and they did a great job on the shutter (1940s vintage). I think it cost around £50.

Congratulations on the 203mm Ektar - I've got one for my MPP and it is a very sharp lens.

Matt

Cheers Matt - just found their site; I'll see what they say!
Really looking forward to the Ektar - currently using a 150mm Symmar-S, but wanted something a tad longer - still can't quite believe the price actually . . .
P

Hi Phil

Protech Photographic Repairs are good, they are a part of MXV in Uckfield, Sussex. I had a couple of shutters repaired there last year for I think £50 each. Well recommended.

Sean

Good luck with the 203. I love mine and it covers 5x7 as well as 4x5 (the Ektar and my 150 G-Claron are my main lenses on 5x7). To set the camera up I put the shutter on B and lock the cable, easy when you get used to it.
Best wishes,
Vanman

Another vote for Black on White - very enthusiastic about working on traditional kit as they seem to spend most of their time repairing digital.

Hi guys- thanks for all the really helpful replies - looks like it could quite well be Black and White . . . this being said . . the 203 still hasn't arrived - I'm assuming it is in the post somewhere. Just desperate to get hold of it and get out and about!
Cheers
Phil

The Ektar arrived on Friday and boy am I chuffed! Surprisingly the Prontor is pretty much bang on on at all speeds except for 1 sec, and even then it is only a tad out compared to my newish Copal 0. You've got to love the sound of it though - not a high pitched snap like the Copal, but a right mid to low range snappy buzz.
I shall see how it goes, with a nice field trip any weekend soon.
As for the lens, well I tested that in my local graveyard on a Victorian sculpture and though I was battling quite a bit of flare, the resulting negatives were great. This is a really sharp lens, with very smooth and creamy out of focus stuff (won't say b***h). the sculpture was on an East wall and about 9 feet up; the wall is about 12 feet high and the sun was coming right at me, so I used my ultra cheap lens hood and shielded the lens a bit with the dark slide and everything worked out just fine. If anyone is interested there's a great scan of a 1950's Kodak lens catalogue on the butkus site.
I am a happy bunny
Phil