Reliable Pentax Repairer ?

I've just bought a 2nd hand MX on Ebay. It takes good photo's but there are two problems with it.

1) There is very noticable "mirror bounce", after the shutter has closed and the mirror drops back into position it bounces. This is visible in the viewfinder and while it doesn't affect the results it's a bit disconcerting.

2) Whilst tinkering I managed to break the self timer!

Can someone please recommend a good repairer who can fix these problems and give it a CLA.

I'm in Liverpool.

Andrew

Andrew,

Why don't you give Pentax a call? Maybe they can still repair the MX. Telephone: 01753 792792.

They turned around my MZ5 very quickly, and were very helpful on the phone.

(If you are a member of PU, you get 20% discount - make sure you mention that & check it appears on the estimate should you send it in.)

Hope that helps,
Matt

Andrew

You can try Pentax but I wouldn't hold out too much hope that they'll fix it. I sent my Super A to Pentax when the rewind spindle was sticking every now and then as I wound the film on. A little turn of the rewind knob would free it so I thought a clean and lubricate should do the job.

Pentax supposedly examined it and gave an estimate for the work which I accepted. Within days they wrote to say that it was beyond repair and offered an MZ-M at reduced price. I declined and asked them to send the camera back. There was no sign that anyone had touched the camera and I think they just weren't interested because it was an older model. The camera still works but I lost the cost of postage to send it off.

If you do try them I hope you have better luck. let us know what happens.

Regards

John ???

Andrew,

I noticed the advert in the latest Pentax User mag:

Try Asahi Photo Ltd, tel: 0208 908 2931
http://www.asahiphoto.net/
Looks like they may be able to help

Matt

Thanks for the info. I'd seen bad stuff about Pentax UK repair elsewhere on this forum. I've had reasonable quotes from both Harrow Technical & AshaiPhoto so will proably send the body to one of them.

The self timer is fixed as well, mis-operation on my part!

Andrew

My Motor Drive A has recently died (problem with the battery pack, which my local repair shop was unable to tackle). After reading these posts, I rang Asahi Photo Ltd as suggested above, and found that they were very helpful.

OK, they couldn't fix it due to shortage of parts, but they were extremely pleasant and willing to take time to discuss my little problem over the 'phone.

Looks like I'll have to buy a replacement from the Jessops Used Equipment hotline.

In defense of Pentax UK, I'd like to say that a few years ago they repaired my 35-135F lens (I dropped it and the entire inner barrel came loose and could be 'unscrewed' from the outer barrel) and very recently, they fixed my Espio 120.
Both jobs were performed very efficiently and I have been delighted with the service.

Incidentally, they also replaced my Z1-P manual free of charge without hesitation. I had purchased the camera brand new and the manual that came with it very quickly began to shed pages - it quite literally fell to bits!
The replacement is still perfect - the original must have been a rogue, so from my experience I can't fault Pentax.