Where to get Kodak Retina IIIS serviced?

JasonC · 07-12-2005

Hi all,

I recently acquired a Kodak Retina IIIS with some lenses in very good condition. I tried to find a place for service (I did search the forums), but come up with nothing. Could anyone recommend a reputable place for repair and service? Thanks.

Jason.

richiedcruz · 07-12-2005

You could try http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~Srawhiti/ I have never come across anyone who has had a camera serviced by him, but, from what I understand, Retina specialists are rare, and he worked on them when they were new.

Hope that helps

Richie

PS I was looking into IIIS, too. What are your impressions of it so far?

pshinkaw · 07-12-2005

A lot of people swear by Essex Photo Services in Carlstadt New Jersey.

http://www.essexcamera.com/

I have not used them yet, but my IIIS will neeed some service someday and I plan on using them.

So far I have very few problems with the design of the IIIS. Overall a fine camera with great lenses and an outstanding use dcamera buy.

-Paul

cstewart · 07-12-2005

I can sort of vouch for the New Zealand source given above. The man's name is Chris, and I've had considerable friendly and informative e-correpondence with him, about my Retinas. He really seems to know his stuff, although I must stress I haven't sent him the cameras yet. I can't imagine who else would know these cameras as well, and it's well-known that repairmen won't or can't work on them. They think they're the cameras from hell, from a repair standpoint. A man in Florida who was renowned for it passed away recently.

Brian Sweeney · 07-12-2005

The Retina Reflex cameras are "The Cameras from Hell". More repairshops will take on the IIIS. What is wrong with it?

JasonC · 07-13-2005

Brian,

I just got the IIIS yesterday. While the body looks nice, the rangefinder has haze. The shutter speed ring is very stiff, even though the shutter seems to fire ok. When I tried to turn the little wheel at the bottom of the camera, the shutter speed ring turned, I thought only the aperture ring should be turning(?). And I cannot get the aperture ring go smaller than f4, I have a Xenar 50/2.8 on the camera. I don't know if the camera is faulty or operator error. I think getting a repair source will be handy down the road.

BTW, just sent emails to Essex Camera and Vermont Camera to see if any of them will do repair works on the IIIS.

Jason.

JasonC · 07-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by richiedcruz

PS I was looking into IIIS, too. What are your impressions of it so far?

Richie,

I just got the camera. After playing with it for a while, I think the camera is quite well built and heavy for its size. The shutter speed and aperture operation are quite unusual, but I think I can get use to them. On this camera, the little wheel is quite stiff, as I have mentioned on my previous post to Brian, my finger hurts after trying to turn it for a few minutes. Anyway, I have another body coming in the mail, let's see if this one is faulty.

Jason.

Brian Sweeney · 07-13-2005

Essex will talke on a Retina Reflex, so they will do the IIIS.

Dirt and grime gets under the shutter and aperture ring. Do not force them. I cleaned mine out with isopropyl alchohol. After the cleaning the shutter speed held in place and the F-Stop ring moved as it should. The "f4" problem may have been caused by someone getting into the camera and not knowing how to put it back together, or it could be just the dirt causing it to stick. The viewfinder is easy to cleanl, the top of the IIIS comes off with three screws- one on the side, and two under the rewind knob. Watch out for the spring-loaded ASA button.

Overall, a good professional CLA will put it in great operating condition. This will run ~$150. If the cost of the CLA is out of your budget, post back here.

JasonC · 07-13-2005

Thanks Brian. I am waiting for my 2nd body to arrive, then decide what to do with the current one. I have never repair a camera before, so not sure I want to take it apart. Just received a reply from Vermont Camera Work, they will also service IIIS. Any experience with them? Thanks.

Jason.

Brian Sweeney · 07-13-2005

I have not used Vermont Camera, but if they are willing to take on a Retina they must have been around for a while. Essex successfully repaired my Retina Reflex IV. It lasted another 8 years before locking up again. The Retina IIIS is a much simpler and more reliable camera.

JasonC · 07-20-2005

Just a quick update. I received my second body. This time the body works as it should. When I turn the little wheel at the bottom, only the aperture ring moves. Everything is smooth. However, the Xenar 50/1.9 has frozen aperture. Well, I'll just use the 50/2.8. So I can go and try out the lenses now.

As for servicing, Essex Camera Works quote me US$180 for overhauling. Vermont Camera Works needs to take a look at the camera before giving me a quote, but they did say minor services should run around US$60-100. I've heard good things for both of them.

Jason

JasonC · 10-10-2005

Latest update. Just got my Retina IIIS back from Essex Camera. They fixed the aperture ring problem and clean the rangefinder. Now the rangefinder is bright and clear. The total for the service is US$120.

Jason.