My R-D1s successfully repaired and CLA'd

[Didier]

As I had posted a few weeks ago, the shutter of my R-D1s went down and I was undecided about what to do. Epson is said to charge high fees for repairs and my experiences with them are rather bad (they needed over 2 months for a RF alignment for my first R-D1, then sent it back packaged uncarefully, so the RF was more disaligned than before), and DAG told me he doesn't repair or CLA any Epsons anymore.

So I asked Steve Choi of Steve's Camera Service Center in Culver City, USA, for an estimate. He answered very quickly and offered the shutter repair including RF adjustment and sensor cleaning for $295 - which is about the half Epson charges for the shutter repair only. So I sent the camera to Steve and he needed only one week to do the job (shipping time not included) and I received it two days ago. Did some test shooting for focusing accuracy, incl. close up/wide open, as well as some bright sky shots to check for sensor smudges. The camera works absolutely flawlessly. Focusing is 100% accurate, the small differences between several lenses it noted in the close up shots are dued to these lenses' tolerances and are closer together than before the CLA. The sensor is cleaner than when I bougfht it new.

Steve did a very satisfying service, including friendly communication and tracking #, and I can sincerely recommend him to all R-D1(s) users once they need a repair.

Didier

[mn4367]

Good to hear that apart from Epson there is somebody who can take care of some R-D1 issues in the future. Thanks for posting and enjoy the camera (again).

[SteveM(PA)]

Wow!

[xpanded]

Originally Posted by Didier

The sensor is cleaner than when I bougfht it new.
Didier

Given the problems you have had with it you certainly deserved some smooth sailing!

[LChanyungco]

it's time for me to consider an rd1(s)

[JeffGreene]

Didier:

I was following your situation closely. I have an RD1 of comparable vintage, and as yet have experienced no problems. It's good to know that things worked out for you and that there is a good resource for the camera here in the US. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[los]

i live in LA, and i had steve do a CLA on the viewfinder of a fuji 6x7 rangefinder. i was very happy with the work, and i felt the price was very reasonable too. i think it was a one week turnaround, too.

[Jim Watts]

Didier,
So despite your previous bad experiences to this good one I take it you are now going to stick with the R-D1 for a while and not sell it?
Jim

[Photon42]

good to hear it worked out fine fpr you, Didier. Another incident which made me think how strange I find the Epson strategy in creating and marketing the nice rangefinder camera and then so quickly withdrawing from the market.
After all it's good they haven't followed this approach with printers

[JNewell]

Excellent news - thanks for the report!

[JonasYip]

I'm lucky to live near Steve's, so if anything (else) does go wrong with my RD1 the turnaround time is really quick. Actually, I guess *you're* all lucky I live near Steve since my RD1 was the first one he'd seen when I brought it in and he dissected my camera pretty thoroughly to learn about it, and so is now the "expert" in RD1 repair...

But yes, highly recommended...

[Didier]

Originally Posted by Jim Watts

So despite your previous bad experiences to this good one I take it you are now going to stick with the R-D1 for a while and not sell it?

Jim
Yes it looks like I'll stick with it for another while
Didier