I know that quality repair and CLA is available for Leicas - Don and Sherry have been mentioned, among others.

But, does anyone know of a really careful repair service for manual Nikons? I know I can send my FM2 and F3 to Nikon for service, but I wonder if there isn't some really good private service in the USA for these cameras.

The purchase of a new M6TTL has encouraged me to get my Nikons cleaned, foam seals replaced, etc.

-- Thomas Herbert (therbert@miami.edu), November 26, 2001

Answers

Try Authorized Photo Service...I believe it is a former Nikon factory service center which is no longer affiliated directly with Nikon Inc., but which still offers first-class repairs (better than Nikon and much better than my local repair people, IMO). If you're a pro, send the cover letter on your stationary for expedited service -- I have had turnaround from them of one week -- including shipping to and from their facility, which is in Illinois. I've dealt with them a few times, and have only the highest praise for them.

www.authorizedphoto.com

-- fick (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), November 26, 2001.

One more thing -- the reason I found APS (see above) is because Nikon's own factory service has been awful, at least in my experience. It seems that their repair people do not actually read my cover letters, hence they almost never even address the specified problem on the first attempt. I can always count on having to send gear back to them a second time, and often it still will not be correctly serviced/repaired. So I support your decision to seek an independent repair shop.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), November 26, 2001.

Fotocamera Repair in Lake Worth, FL. Pete Smith. He's *the* man. (561) 433-8434.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 26, 2001.