monjue Posted May 7, 2022 Share #1 Posted May 7, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi All, Can anyone tell me if they have had any dealings or experience with https://cameraobscurarepairs.co.uk ??? The person I have been dealing with is called Alexander Spencer. The problem is.. I sent them my M6 and they are not replying to multiple emails etc.. I fear the worst. Just to make matters worse... I was gifted the camera from my dad as he was unwell.. unfortunately he passed away last Friday... I'm gutted this has now happened to me 😢 Thanks for any input! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 7, 2022 Posted May 7, 2022 Hi monjue, Take a look here Camera Obscura Repairs UK.... Problem 😔. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted May 7, 2022 Share #2 Posted May 7, 2022 Sorry for your loss. The following from late last year includes favorable posts, including praise regarding communications (although Anthony). Have you tried calling rather than email? Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monjue Posted May 7, 2022 Author Share #3 Posted May 7, 2022 13 minutes ago, Jeff S said: Sorry for your loss. The following from late last year includes favorable posts, including praise regarding communications (although Anthony). Have you tried calling rather than email? Jeff Hi Jeff, Ive never heard of an Anthony?.. also there is no other way of communicating with them except via email and a message system via their website. I have tried both multiple times. If anyone does have a number, that would be very helpful indeed. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted May 7, 2022 Share #4 Posted May 7, 2022 (edited) The name is indeed Alexander. And he does not publish a phone number. I have just had an Elmar 5cm f/3.5 serviced by him, with no problems. There are other reports posted in the forum as well - positive with regards quality, mixed with regards to communications. In short, they appear to be a bona fide operation, doing good work, but with a communication problem that they need to get sorted if they are to retain credibility. Edited May 7, 2022 by LocalHero1953 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted May 7, 2022 Share #5 Posted May 7, 2022 I’m in US and only going by forum search. Hope all gets resolved soon. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anbaric Posted May 7, 2022 Share #6 Posted May 7, 2022 (edited) Last posted to Instagram a week ago. A couple of the comments are attempts to get in touch with him, so you may not be the only one: https://www.instagram.com/cameraobscuragb https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc6Vn3SI0XE/ Hopefully this is some temporary glitch, but not publishing real-world contact details on a service website for expensive equipment doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Edited May 7, 2022 by Anbaric 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monjue Posted May 7, 2022 Author Share #7 Posted May 7, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 5 minutes ago, Anbaric said: Last posted to Instagram a week ago. A couple of the comments are attempts to get in touch with him, so you may not be the only one: https://www.instagram.com/cameraobscuragb https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc6Vn3SI0XE/ Hopefully this is some temporary glitch, but not publishing real-world contact details on a service website for expensive equipment doesn't exactly inspire confidence. This is good info.. ill keep you updated. thank you 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 7, 2022 Share #8 Posted May 7, 2022 Unfortunately businesses not communicating with customers seems to be the new normal. Perhaps they get so many tyre kickers they ignore emails, but if you have sent them the camera they should at least acknowledge its progress through the system. Good luck but it's not unusual, I sent multiple emails to a well know repairer asking if they could fit my Rolleiflex in for a service and heard nothing back, so I simply filled out their online repair form, sent the camera, and got it back in perfect condition four weeks later. But I did know for sure they were definitely 'at work' at the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monjue Posted May 7, 2022 Author Share #9 Posted May 7, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, 250swb said: Unfortunately businesses not communicating with customers seems to be the new normal. Perhaps they get so many tyre kickers they ignore emails, but if you have sent them the camera they should at least acknowledge its progress through the system. Good luck but it's not unusual, I sent multiple emails to a well know repairer asking if they could fit my Rolleiflex in for a service and heard nothing back, so I simply filled out their online repair form, sent the camera, and got it back in perfect condition four weeks later. But I did know for sure they were definitely 'at work' at the time. Well they have gone silent... I first sent them my camera in start of February due to a stuck shutter button.. I paid £240 they requested and finally they sent it back to me and the shutter button got stuck again on the second press? and the light meter is no longer working.. It almost feels like nothing was done? its worse now than when i sent it to them. So i sent it back again and they received it April 7. They finally got back to me April 19 regarding what the 'new' issue is and asking what i wish them to do.. I replied, and nothing since? I have sent them emails to 2 different email addresses and via their website message system. No reply, nothing. Very unprofessional.. it would not hurt for them to keep me updated. That camera meant so much to me, and this whole experience has been terrible. I'm gutted. Edited May 7, 2022 by monjue 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 8, 2022 Share #10 Posted May 8, 2022 (edited) I am very disappointed and anxious that I’ll not see my equipment again. I have only once ever previously criticised a business on line as I believe that often there is a reason why problems arise and bad on line reviews can do so much damage. However, I’ve now run out of patience with Camera Obscura Repairs. So I sent my IIIf and 50Summitar for service in December. In January Alexander and I finalised exactly what work was needed, and what would be done after inspection of the camera. This was already slow by his advertised 3 week turnaround but it was approaching the end-of-year when he’d received the camera with XMas and New Year coming up.. Communication thereafter was very poor. I needed to send many emails until I finally got a very detailed update in early March, the delay in replying blamed on email going to his spam folder 🙄. Alexander advised me that if I still wanted to AR glass for the VF windows that it would be another 2-3 weeks due to delay in supply, but if not the equipment was ready to ship. He’d had the camera long enough already I thought what’s another few weeks. Big mistake! I have now sent at least 10 increasingly frustrated and angry emails with no reply. I’m not on instagram but my daughter who is told me that he’s posted recently so she sent a message for me early last week asking for an urgent update. Still nothing. I’m pleased that someone got a reply to a request in April so at least we know Alexander was alive at that time. So I’ve still heard nothing. I should have had alarm bells ringing at the beginning as there was no business address or email. Stupid me! Ha - the consumer blaming himself for product failure. I live in hope that I may see my camera and lens some time this decade. Alexander? Are you out there? Please contact us about our equipment. Mark Edited May 8, 2022 by MarkP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 8, 2022 Share #11 Posted May 8, 2022 (edited) 20 hours ago, Jeff S said: Sorry for your loss. The following from late last year includes favorable posts, including praise regarding communications (although Anthony). Have you tried calling rather than email? Jeff That was my post Jeff. Typo, no Anthony, just Alexander. Favourable comment now withdrawn. See above. Edited May 8, 2022 by MarkP 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 8, 2022 Share #12 Posted May 8, 2022 (edited) Things you could try, he has a presence on Linkedin.com with a contact link, and given you know the address you sent the camera to try searching for him on 192.com where the electoral roll will show if anybody else is living there. You could also try sending a registered letter addressed only to the address and not the person, and if it is accepted somebody may open it and read your plea for information. Edited May 8, 2022 by 250swb 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted May 8, 2022 Share #13 Posted May 8, 2022 Another option to find contact detail is through Whois using the domain name. Sometimes the info is quite detailed. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 9, 2022 Share #14 Posted May 9, 2022 I had an email reply today 🙂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickmedd Posted May 9, 2022 Share #15 Posted May 9, 2022 Monjue, Mark. I’m in exactly the same position. He has got my M5 and summilux and like yours Monjue it is of great sentimental value (bequeathed to me by my grandfather). Plenty of communication until he reported that the repair was done (quite quickly if he is to be believed) and requested payment. I’ve paid and now no response to multiple emails and messages. Like you I fear the worst. I’ll update if I do hear anything. ☹️ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 10, 2022 Share #16 Posted May 10, 2022 (edited) On 5/9/2022 at 1:28 PM, MarkP said: I had an email reply today 🙂 I sincerely hope it results in something good, and not Camera Obscura casting the line again after seeing a rise. How long would it have for taken him to respond with an update for everybody's concerns, not long, only an eta? Edited May 10, 2022 by 250swb 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted May 12, 2022 Share #17 Posted May 12, 2022 (edited) I've just received two detailed and reassuring emails from Alexander. We did discuss communication issues. All good now. Job completed and ready to go once he's taken delivery of the AR glass for VF windows (supply chain issues). He offered to ship it back immediately but I'd like to wait for the AR glass. I'm very much looking forward to my reborn IIIf and 50 Summitar. Edited May 12, 2022 by MarkP 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasKiNG Posted May 13, 2022 Share #18 Posted May 13, 2022 Just wanted to add my experience with this company. For those worrying about their cameras I really think it is going to be ok. I got no email replies back from them either, then this morning my camera was delivered. They have done an excellent job of the CLA. They also fitted AR glass. Everything is silky smooth now and speeds are spot on. The AR glass also makes a big difference to the clarity of the rangefinder. Anyway. Don't worry too much about the lack of communication. I'm sure your cameras are in good hands and will be returned to you when ready. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrickmedd Posted May 13, 2022 Share #19 Posted May 13, 2022 All is well! Camera is back today and looking great with new AR glass and a sparkling lens. Turns out that there was no need for concern. 🙂 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 13, 2022 Share #20 Posted May 13, 2022 6 hours ago, TasKiNG said: Just wanted to add my experience with this company. For those worrying about their cameras I really think it is going to be ok. I got no email replies back from them either, then this morning my camera was delivered. They have done an excellent job of the CLA. They also fitted AR glass. Everything is silky smooth now and speeds are spot on. The AR glass also makes a big difference to the clarity of the rangefinder. Anyway. Don't worry too much about the lack of communication. I'm sure your cameras are in good hands and will be returned to you when ready. You got your camera back today and you only joined the forum yesterday, some people have all the luck. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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