Camera repair service UK?

[Slimjim]

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy repair service in the UK or Europe? My trusty Nizo 801 is out of action and I don't want to risk messing around with it myself.

[Andersens Tears]

I recommend GK Film in Germany - you can contact them direct www.gkfilm.de or via Frank Bruinsma at the Super 8 Reversal Lab in Holland http://www.super8.nl

They fully serviced my Nizo 801 macro a couple of years back and I got back a like new camera - problem fixed with fully recalibrated film speeds and lubed working parts. Also had the light meter modded to run from the main power pack - no more cells!

The guy who does the work has many years of experience with Nizos and other top brands.

Jamie

[Slimjim]

Great, thank you very much, will check them out.

[aj]

Better check on the expected processing times as Gk has really long waiting times.
Isn't Bart of Blue audio aware of some reliable UK based Nizo repair addresses?

[Blue Audio Visual]

Hi AJ,

All the people we used to use have retired now, but I have heard good reports about Hailsham Camera Centre, it may be worth SlimJim giving them a shout?

I don't sell any cameras any more, so have no need for repairers. Much easier life.

[Slimjim]

Thanks all. I've actually just heard back from the chap in Germany who sold me the camera a few years ago, now operating as www.super8arena.com, so I'm going to try him in the first instance.

[Andersens Tears]

Thanks all. I've actually just heard back from the chap in Germany who sold me the camera a few years ago, now operating as http://www.super8arena.com, so I'm going to try him in the first instance.

Hi if you bought the camera from Michael then he will do the same for you at a lower cost. He is an excellent man to deal with - I did not offer his contact details has he does not publicly offer a repair service - but if you bought the camera from him then he will fix it for you! He would have lubed up and recalibrated the camera for you before he sold it. You can still have the camera modded if you want - ask him for the ED-209 conversion.

Jamie

[Andersens Tears]

Better check on the expected processing times as Gk has really long waiting times.
Isn't Bart of Blue audio aware of some reliable UK based Nizo repair addresses?

Have you used the repair service? It took just 3 weeks for me. Agreed this was 3 years ago - but like everyone skilled in repair they are getting older and perhaps slower.

I do not know of a reliable UK repair service for Nizos - Germany has always been the better option for quality of service.

But again this has just been my experience.

[Slimjim]

Thanks Jamie - I wasn't sure I'd found the same guy until he got back to me. I bought it from him via ebay before he was operating as Super8arena as far as I know. But yes, the camera came to me in amazingly good condition.

Glad to hear another recommendation for him, anyway. Was nervous about sending my baby out of the country, now I feel much better...

[Andersens Tears]

Thanks Jamie - I wasn't sure I'd found the same guy until he got back to me. I bought it from him via ebay before he was operating as Super8arena as far as I know. But yes, the camera came to me in amazingly good condition.

Glad to hear another recommendation for him, anyway. Was nervous about sending my baby out of the country, now I feel much better...

I have bought no less than 4 cameras from him, and had one (a Nizo) serviced by him. He knows Nizos inside out - he can listen to the sound of the motor on a Nizo and tell you if it is running at the wrong speed. Nizos are a good camera to stick with as they are quite easy to get repaired - you can get inside by just inscrewing a few screws. Michael advised me that most parts are still available for Nizos - some are easy to get hold of and some a little harder but obtainable.

His service and attention to detail is outstanding - he will take care of your camera for you in no time and send it back to you very carefully packed and via a premium insured express shipping service - I think it takes just 3 working days from Germany to the UK!

Good luck - let me know how you get on!

Cheers,

Jamie

[aj]

Thanks Jamie - I wasn't sure I'd found the same guy until he got back to me. I bought it from him via ebay before he was operating as Super8arena as far as I know. But yes, the camera came to me in amazingly good condition.

Glad to hear another recommendation for him, anyway. Was nervous about sending my baby out of the country, now I feel much better...

Maybe you can point out to super8arena that his website is not functioning:

Code: Select all

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. 

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@super8arena.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error. 

More information about this error may be available in the server error log. 

Error 500
www.super8arena.com
Thu Jul 15 18:36:13 CEST 2010
Apache/2.0.54 (Debian GNU/Linux) PHP/5.2.3 with Suhosin-Patch DAV/2 

I merely recommend that you ask about handling times and get a firm promis. If GK is still into eternal Cinevia cartridges it will certainly take 3-6 months as it was in the past. It is a one man operation. Also burning money and time on shipping and handling by sending to an in between is not my idea of spending hobby money.

good luck

[Andersens Tears]

I merely recommend that you ask about handling times and get a firm promis.

A fair point Andre.

If GK is still into eternal Cinevia cartridges it will certainly take 3-6 months as it was in the past. It is a one man operation.

This is supposition - if you have actually used the service like I have then you will know better how the reapir service works.

Also burning money and time on shipping and handling by sending to an in between is not my idea of spending hobby money.

We have had this conversation before -

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20578&start=0

Using Frank helps because Mr. Klose is not as good at English as Frank - I used this service and found it very very reasonable and helpful. The camera was sent direct back from GK film.

I used Frank as a go between as he has excellent rapport with GK Film.

good luck

Agreed - but if he is sending his camera to Michael of Super8Arena then he won't need it - again - I have bought cameras from Micahael and had Nizos reapaired by him - he is the only man I will trust my Nizo to now - he is that good. But he does not offer a reapir service publicly - that's why I recommended GK FIlm as I have used them before.

If there is a problem with the website then Michael will get it fixed.