CLA service from KEH

<p>I have to return a Canon F1n to KEH for a small warranty repair. I know there are many highly-regarded Canon repair folks out there (Ken Oikawa, especially) but as it's already going to be making a trip to KEH, I was considering having a CLA done by KEH at the same time (and converting the light meter to 1.5v). Have any of you had KEH perform a CLA on an F1 for them? Thank you.</p>

<p>I have experience with a Nikon FM that they completely overhauled a few years ago for $125 and the service was excellent. I'll use them again when the need arises. Sorry, don't have any experience with the F-1n but I'm sure KEH will do a good job.</p>

<p>It all depends. You can have your brakes done at Walmart or you can go to a brake specialist like Meineke. They both do brakes. If your camera and images are important enough why take chances with Walmart?</p>

<p>Patrick -- what I'm looking for is someone who has experience with KEH performing CLAs to tell me it is a "Walmart experience". No one has. And although Ken is excellent, no one has told me that KEH isn't also excellent. AND KEH is a heck of a lot easier to get ahold of then Ken is. I've been trying on and off for a month to get a hold of him and no luck ... I may need another option and this is one.</p>

<p>Very true, Carl. KEH may very well have in its employ a man with 30+ years Canon FD repair and calibration experience who is willing to work for them. I can not say, and thus, have given you no useful information. I apologize.</p>

<p>I heard back from KEH. Interestingly (and impressively), their warranty coverage will also cover servicing if the speeds are off. I've asked them to verify the shutter speeds as well as repair the light meter (and convert it to 1.5v). I offered to pay for the voltage conversion but the rest of the service should be free. </p>

<p>It's not a CLA but if it keeps the camera running for a few years, I can have a full CLA performed at a later date. Will keep you posted and let you all know how the experience goes.</p>

<p>I've not had to do a warranty claim with KEH before but they offer prepaid return postage too. That's a class act!</p>

<p>Carl, I had an unpleasant experience with KEH's repair service. Others have as well, apparently:</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/neighbor/view-one-about?id=1&about=KEH+camera+repair</p>

<p>Steven, thanks for the link. Seems so-so at best. Well, they have my camera by now so we'll see how it performs when I get it back. I did get a hold of Ken O (he returned my call) and I sent three other FD bodies to him for service (F1n, F1N, EF). I'm very anxious to see how he does -- based on member experience I'm optimistic. If KEH botches it, I'll send it on to Ken. I'll post my experience with KEH back to this thread.</p>

<p>Ken has CLA'd several F1N bodies for me and they have ALL been excellent! I think you'll be well-pleased with his work. They look and work great after his service....<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I'd go with Steve Sweringen at Camera Clinic. Unerring in my experience, very fast, excellent communication and very reasonable prices:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cameraclinicusa.com/">http://www.cameraclinicusa.com/</a></p>

<p>Mr Barey -- A year or so ago, I sent two T90s to Steve for CLAs and he did an outstanding job but he referred me elsewhere for my F1s. For the T90s, I'd look no further than Steve. BTW, I'm selling one of those T90s. If anyone is interested, please contact me off-list.</p>

<p>I have had a very good history buying new and used products from K.E.H. but I've always been suspect of their service abilities IE: They quite often advertise used cameras both film and digital that they radically discount because of some minor problem, it would seem to me that replacing an eyepiece ring that they show in their parts stock and then sell the camera as a used but working camera. If they can't even fix their own inventory why would I trust them to do mine?</p>

<p>I did get my camera back from KEH. It took awhile -- probably three weeks -- but I wasn't in a hurry so it didn't make much of a difference. They seem to have provided the required service for it (I'm still testing a roll of film through it). The light meter now works consistently and they converted it to 1.5v per my request (I need to check it against a gray card but their note indicated the service had been performed). If everything checks out, I'll be pretty happy with my "user" 1980 Olympic F1n. </p>

<p>Oh ... on a different note. I did send three cameras to Ken O: an F1N, an F1n and an EF and he did a fantastic job with all of them. I forgot what a little gem the EF is too. His prices were reasonable and turn-around time was pretty good.</p>

I recieved back my F-1 (n) from Ken about 6 weeks ago. I couldn't be happier. He also went over my winder "F" just to

check things out. I find him to be a master of his craft, inexpensive for what you recieve and extremely quick.

<p>A footnote on my Feb 19th posting: KEH did fix the problem I had identified with the camera (the light meter) but I was disappointed that they didn't convert the light meter to 1.5v as I had politely asked them to do. I had also offered to pay. They didn't respond at all -- yes or no -- to my request for the voltage conversion. </p>

<p>The camera does work though and I'm happy with it so, ultimately, they fixed what they were required by warranty to repair.</p>

<p>And Jay, yes, Ken absolutely rocks and I also would recommend him without reservation. I need to send him another F1. Maybe I'll do that this week yet.</p>

He's a gem! I believe he automatically switches to 1.5V battery usage. I know he changed mine. He's a hoot to deal with

on the phone if he goes to voicemail and your phone transcribes.