Beat-up M2 to hospital

[RML]

Today I sent my M2 to München to Herr Wiener.

I hope he'll be able to fix all the minor and bigger problems this camera has.
It'll be a few days before he receives it, and only G*d knows how long Herr Wiener wil need to bring my beat-up baby back to life.

I'll keep ya'all posted.

[back alley]

that had to be hard, to part with your new toy. but just think how wonderful it will be to have it back and healthy and ready for shooting!

joe

[SolaresLarrave]

Been there, Martin, but don't despair. Not only will your "preciousssss" come back, it'll be snappier than ever!

[Rich Silfver]

RML, I know it's tough to part... I've been 'planning' to send my M3 in for a CLA (heck it's 40 years old and never been serviced (still has the original seal) so the old lady deserves to be greased up. Ok that sounded real bad but you know what I mean. Have been unable to find a 4-5 week time-period when I can be 'away from her'.

[RML]

Richard, that did sound very... shall we say, odd. It gave me quite disturbing thoughts.

I think I must be glad that I haven't grown attached to the M2 yet, so seperation anxiety isn't so bad now.
And whenever my angst become too great to bear I feel the warmth and comfort of this community. You guys and gals are wonderful therapy.

I just hope I can bring the little thing with me when I go to Mongolia again in October. I'm just dying to give that Russian 35/2 J-12 a workout. I've had it for ages now and used it for only 1 roll on my FED5. I'll take a short trip to Beijing as well and that 35 will be most useful in the confined space of the train (yes, the famous Trans-Mongolia Expres).

I guess I'll pack some warm clothes and some gifts in a daypack, and a suitcase full of camera gear. The Bessa R will come, with the J-8. Perhaps the Cl with the Rokkor. And I'll bring the J-9 85/2 (I really need to use that lens more often). And I still have that CV 25/4 on the Bessa L.

Decisions, decisions!

[RML]

It's been a few weeks now since I sent the beat-up, and now naked, M2 off to Werkstatt Wiener in Munich, Germany. It arrived safely.

Last week I got a letter (yes, a letter!) from Herr Wiener telling me what work is needed, and what it would cost me. It seems the film transport and the shutter mechanism needs work. It'll cost me 175 euro, plus 15 euro shipping, and 16% VAT, making the total sum of some 220 euro.

I phoned Herr Wiener today to tell him he could proceed with the repairs (I had asked him to ask for approval if the cost would be over 200 euro). He'll send me a letter with his bank account details, so I can pay him a.s.a.p. Herr Wiener indicated that next week the camera will be ready, so I expect it to be back sometime in the third week of Spetember! I'll order the leather this week.

If all goes well it seems I can bring the M2 to Mongolia in October.

For now Herr Wiener's service seems very swift and responsive. He only speaks German, which makes communicating a little more difficult for me. I don't speak it very often so I really have to force my knowledge of German into my brain and mouth.
Herr Wiener also only corresponds via snail mail or fax, which obviously takes more time. It's moments like this that I realise how influential email has become (I can't remember the last time I actually wrote and sent a letter).

[rover]

The important thing of course is that he is a fine craftsman, and professional in his business practices. It sounds like both are true. Good to hear that your baby will be home before you leave.