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Old 01-16-2012   #3
farlymac
PF McFarland
 
farlymac is online now
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 2,203
Dennis, I've got a Five-One-Nine with a sticky shutter too, but I can see the oil on the blades, and have never shot it. I too like the feel of it, and the winder on the botom could be a real conversation starter. I've read it is not the easiest camera to open up, and looking at the front of the lens, I can see why.

I would venture a guess there aren't many camera repair places in Finland, just as they are disappearing here in the US. I think that what money one puts into a camera repair would depend on how much you are going to use the camera, and whether there are less expensive alternatives out there. Personal likes taken into consideration, it may be the only rangefinder you ever own, and thus it would economically feasable to repair it, as you won't be spending money on any other gear. If it has sentimental value (such as a family heirloom), that makes it a good cadidate for repair.

It all comes down to how you intend to use it. Being a fixed lens mount camera, you can get the auxilary lens set for it, but I don't put too much value in those, image quality or operational use wise. And getting the original finder for them is next to impossible. It will however do electronic flash, and was one of the first rangefinders with a hotshoe.

It's a beautiful camera, and even if you never shoot it, it is a collectable that will look fine on the shelf with the other cameras you will eventually accumulate. Maybe someone else here can direct you to a repair facility that is not so expensive, and closer to you. Post again in the Repair forum about the camera problem, and ask about a shop.

PF
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