Camera Obscura Repairs UK.... Problem 😔

[Chris Piuckett]

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Someone suggested a new thread so I thought I would start one 

[yawpitch]

Brief update, finally contacted Citizens Advice and posted a letter via registered mail advising Alexander of his contractual responsibility to deliver on his promised turnaround times and requiring a response within 7 days.

The registered letter was signed for and I received an email near midnight the following day with an Inspection Report and brief apology citing problems with moving to an expanded studio and offering to do the quoted work not flagged as “optional” in the Inspection Report on the following day as a priority service and offering to do the “optional” paint touch-up within 14 days.

I immediately responded saying to skip the paint work and get the CLA and other necessary items done ASAP. I expected to hear from him the next day and expected to pay immediately for any invoiced work, in good faith.

Of course there hasn’t been a single word since and my camera is still missing in action.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SEND THIS GUY ANY GEAR YOU CARE ABOUT.

If you’ve got gear with him and you haven’t heard within his originally estimated turnaround send him a registered letter as per Citizens Advice.

[Anbaric]

The Trustpilot page for the Edinburgh Camera Obscura ('Great fun for all ages') seems to have a misplaced review from 12 March...

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.camera-obscura.co.uk

[bosco]

A google search about Camera Obscura also brought me to this thread. As it's been a few months now, how have things panned out for you guys @yawpitch and @Chris Piuckett?

Did you get your cameras back and was the work completed well if so?

Edited December 8, 2023 by bosco

[250swb]

On the website front page there is now a notice dated 15/10/23 to say that due to a period of illness all bets are off. If it wasn't bad enough long term now he pinpoints a delay for work, it also highlights the constant mentioning of 'we' in his website, so I guess 'they' are all ill.

[yawpitch]

On 12/8/2023 at 8:42 PM, bosco said:

A google search about Camera Obscura also brought me to this thread. As it's been a few months now, how have things panned out for you guys @yawpitch and @Chris Piuckett?

Did you get your cameras back and was the work completed well if so?

The camera did, eventually, come back, after resorting to the registered letter.

On October 14 they (finally) replied to my registered letter, with an Inspection Report. I immediately responded declining the optional work that would further delay the camera coming back.

On October 16, having received no word, I emailed them asking for an update. No reply came.

On October 20 I made my last update above.

On October 23 I received an email indicating that the camera had been shipped and asking for payment. The camera arrived the next day, but I was away from that address and couldn't inspect the camera yet.

On October 25 I received a further email asking if the camera had arrived okay (note that emails seem to get more frequent when they are hoping for payment for an item they've already shipped).

On October 26th I was able to inspect the camera. Mechanically it appears fine, with a noticeably smoother film winding action, but of course I cannot meaningfully test how accurate the shutter speeds now are. Optically the viewfinder appears to be cleaner and the AR glass I've paid for appears to have been installed. An issue I'd noted in the initial Booking Form and in one email with the next focal length mask partially intruding with a 50mm mounted appeared to have been fixed, but the next time a lens was mounted it returned, so I don't believe this was addressed at all (in fairness the Inspection Report did note that the focal length mask mechanism was functioning correctly, so maybe it's just an issue with the tolerances of an M4-2). As requested the front engraving has had the white paint removed, but despite very specific instructions (which they had confirmed understanding in the initial quoting emails before the camera was shipped to them) the top branding paint was removed as well. When I noted this they offered to repaint the top branding, but of course I was not going to send the camera back. I requested and took a (very minor) discount in the form of a waived PayPal fee instead.

So, overall, the camera came back and appears to be functioning well, with one cosmetic mistake on their part and one not-addressed issue that might be an oversight or might simply be my expectations being too high. As I cannot independently confirm the quality of the internal work to any great degree all I can say is that I feel confident the work requested has been done and that my camera is in better condition than when it left.

Despite purchasing a lens and finally getting to put a roll of film into it, however, I can't say much more, because the sour taste of this whole experience has substantially hindered the mental health recovery (after assault that caused a TBI) this camera and a return to photography was meant to help, and I haven't yet been able to bring myself to actually shoot a roll and get it developed.

My advice remains the same: while I'd really like to be able to recommend Camera Obscura, it can only be with the HUGE caveat that you should not expect anything like sensible communication or to have any hope of receiving the camera back within the time frame they've quoted you, which given the current interest in Leica Ms and the dearth of trained technicians was simply too good to be true. Personally I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole again, even if they published a phone number and a physical address and appeared on the business registry.

[250swb]

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Do use your camera @yawpitch, don’t let a dick head spoil things for you.

Edited December 12, 2023 by 250swb

[Chris Piuckett]

So as of todays date I still do not have my camera back from Camera Obscura - this is following several letters and emails threatening legal action which he has ignored totally. 

The guy, Alexander,  keeps saying it is ready when it is clearly not - very frustrating. 

 

 

[Chris Piuckett]

On 12/8/2023 at 8:42 PM, bosco said:

A google search about Camera Obscura also brought me to this thread. As it's been a few months now, how have things panned out for you guys @yawpitch and @Chris Piuckett?

Did you get your cameras back and was the work completed well if so?

Nope still not got my camera back from the guy - he said today it is ready and I must now pay the final payment which I am happy to do.  He will not accept me collecting the camera and paying him in cash, he has downright lied to me about this on two occasions and now refuses to finalise the transaction any other way other than Bank Transfer where I have Zero protection if he defrauds me. 

If this guy was not such a liar I'd happily pay him but can he be trusted to send my camera back to me - I doubt it. 

[Chris Piuckett]

On 12/12/2023 at 9:36 AM, yawpitch said:

The camera did, eventually, come back, after resorting to the registered letter.

On October 14 they (finally) replied to my registered letter, with an Inspection Report. I immediately responded declining the optional work that would further delay the camera coming back.

On October 16, having received no word, I emailed them asking for an update. No reply came.

On October 20 I made my last update above.

On October 23 I received an email indicating that the camera had been shipped and asking for payment. The camera arrived the next day, but I was away from that address and couldn't inspect the camera yet.

On October 25 I received a further email asking if the camera had arrived okay (note that emails seem to get more frequent when they are hoping for payment for an item they've already shipped).

On October 26th I was able to inspect the camera. Mechanically it appears fine, with a noticeably smoother film winding action, but of course I cannot meaningfully test how accurate the shutter speeds now are. Optically the viewfinder appears to be cleaner and the AR glass I've paid for appears to have been installed. An issue I'd noted in the initial Booking Form and in one email with the next focal length mask partially intruding with a 50mm mounted appeared to have been fixed, but the next time a lens was mounted it returned, so I don't believe this was addressed at all (in fairness the Inspection Report did note that the focal length mask mechanism was functioning correctly, so maybe it's just an issue with the tolerances of an M4-2). As requested the front engraving has had the white paint removed, but despite very specific instructions (which they had confirmed understanding in the initial quoting emails before the camera was shipped to them) the top branding paint was removed as well. When I noted this they offered to repaint the top branding, but of course I was not going to send the camera back. I requested and took a (very minor) discount in the form of a waived PayPal fee instead.

So, overall, the camera came back and appears to be functioning well, with one cosmetic mistake on their part and one not-addressed issue that might be an oversight or might simply be my expectations being too high. As I cannot independently confirm the quality of the internal work to any great degree all I can say is that I feel confident the work requested has been done and that my camera is in better condition than when it left.

Despite purchasing a lens and finally getting to put a roll of film into it, however, I can't say much more, because the sour taste of this whole experience has substantially hindered the mental health recovery (after assault that caused a TBI) this camera and a return to photography was meant to help, and I haven't yet been able to bring myself to actually shoot a roll and get it developed.

My advice remains the same: while I'd really like to be able to recommend Camera Obscura, it can only be with the HUGE caveat that you should not expect anything like sensible communication or to have any hope of receiving the camera back within the time frame they've quoted you, which given the current interest in Leica Ms and the dearth of trained technicians was simply too good to be true. Personally I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole again, even if they published a phone number and a physical address and appeared on the business registry.

And you have a toilet paper warranty too - I would imagine 

 

[Chris Piuckett]

On 12/8/2023 at 8:42 PM, bosco said:

A google search about Camera Obscura also brought me to this thread. As it's been a few months now, how have things panned out for you guys @yawpitch and @Chris Piuckett?

Did you get your cameras back and was the work completed well if so?

I am supposed to be getting my camera next week - initially he refused to take Paypal for the final payment, but has changed that now, so I have just paid him the final £400 this evening -at least I am protected for that amount.  I really hope his work is as good as people say or I have just wasted £860 

 

Chris

[bosco]

I've also had a bad experience with Alexander Spencer who runs Camera Obscura. But with a twist.

I bought a Leica M3 on eBay and before buying I messaged the seller a few times. I was told by this seller that it had been serviced that month by Camera Obscura, at a cost of £425. I was told that the camera would come with a service receipt. Well this all sounded great, I definitely didn't mind paying above the going rate for an M3 if it had been recently CLA'd and would come with receipt and a warranty, so I went ahead. I bought, I paid and then... silence.

It was after about 3 days of no message or dispatch that I thought to check the Camera Obscura website and saw the very same Leica M3 I had just purchased. I checked the eBay sellers other listings and that's when I realized the eBay seller wasn't just someone who had the camera serviced by Camera Obscura, the seller was Camera Obscura.

So some dishonesty, but if the camera was serviced, then did it really matter? It'll arrive with the service receipt, so it should all be okay in the end right?

10 days it took to arrive. The slowest I've ever received an item in 15 years of using eBay. Service receipt included? Of course not, he "serviced"  it himself to sell on eBay so why would he write up a receipt? He doesn't reply to his customers anyway so he's certainly not going to honor a warranty. How about the camera? Well it looked great on the outside but very quickly I realized the rangefinder window was full of fungus. Fungus in a camera that was serviced that same month. So either it wasn't serviced or his CLA's are such a light touch that they don't even include basic cleaning of the inside.

We've all read this thread now so the following details shouldn't be any surprise: I messaged about the service receipt - no response. I messaged about the fungus issue - no response. A few days later I opened an eBay case and instantly got a response, with some outrageously dumb explanations about how he'd only really said the exterior was beautifully clear, not the interior. And he said he never mentioned the service receipt - even though he absolutely did and it was right there in a message. I got no actual response about the fungus issue.

Of course eBay found the case in my favor and refunded me in full. You can't sell something that has blatantly visible problems without clearly describing them beforehand.

Oh and before I had even shipped the M3 back to him, he'd relisted it for sale on eBay, without any mention of the fungus.

For anyone considering sending their Leica to Camera Obscura, please don't! Don't be fooled by the Instagram and website. All the talk of the "studio" and language that makes it sound like they're a team. This is one guy in a flat. And he is only interested in taking your money upfront. He has no respect for his customers as his willingness to completely ignore and not respond to so many people has proven. I was lucky to be protected by eBay, if I wasn't, I don't doubt for a minute that I would never have heard from him again.

If anyone is struggling to get their camera back and needs his London address to send any legal letters etc, then send me a message and I can pass it on to you.

If anyone wants to make sure he's not selling your camera on eBay, here's his account https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/onetwothreenegroni

Edited December 31, 2023 by bosco

[MarkP]

4 hours ago, bosco said:

I've also had a bad experience with Alexander Spencer who runs Camera Obscura. But with a twist.

I bought a Leica M3 on eBay and before buying I messaged the seller a few times. I was told by this seller that it had been serviced that month by Camera Obscura, at a cost of £425. I was told that the camera would come with a service receipt. Well this all sounded great, I definitely didn't mind paying above the going rate for an M3 if it had been recently CLA'd and would come with receipt and a warranty, so I went ahead. I bought, I paid and then... silence.

It was after about 3 days of no message or dispatch that I thought to check the Camera Obscura website and saw the very same Leica M3 I had just purchased. I checked the eBay sellers other listings and that's when I realized the eBay seller wasn't just someone who had the camera serviced by Camera Obscura, the seller was Camera Obscura.

So some dishonesty, but if the camera was serviced, then did it really matter? It'll arrive with the service receipt, so it should all be okay in the end right?

10 days it took to arrive. The slowest I've ever received an item in 15 years of using eBay. Service receipt included? Of course not, he "serviced"  it himself to sell on eBay so why would he write up a receipt? He doesn't reply to his customers anyway so he's certainly not going to honor a warranty. How about the camera? Well it looked great on the outside but very quickly I realized the rangefinder window was full of fungus. Fungus in a camera that was serviced that same month. So either it wasn't serviced or his CLA's are such a light touch that they don't even include basic cleaning of the inside.

We've all read this thread now so the following details shouldn't be any surprise: I messaged about the service receipt - no response. I messaged about the fungus issue - no response. A few days later I opened an eBay case and instantly got a response, with some outrageously dumb explanations about how he'd only really said the exterior was beautifully clear, not the interior. And he said he never mentioned the service receipt - even though he absolutely did and it was right there in a message. I got no actual response about the fungus issue.

Of course eBay found the case in my favor and refunded me in full. You can't sell something that has blatantly visible problems without clearly describing them beforehand.

Oh and before I had even shipped the M3 back to him, he'd relisted it for sale on eBay, without any mention of the fungus.

For anyone considering sending their Leica to Camera Obscura, please don't! Don't be fooled by the Instagram and website. All the talk of the "studio" and language that makes it sound like they're a team. This is one guy in a flat. And he is only interested in taking your money upfront. He has no respect for his customers as his willingness to completely ignore and not respond to so many people has proven. I was lucky to be protected by eBay, if I wasn't, I don't doubt for a minute that I would never have heard from him again.

If anyone is struggling to get their camera back and needs his London address to send any legal letters etc, then send me a message and I can pass it on to you.

If anyone wants to make sure he's not selling your camera on eBay, here's his account https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/onetwothreenegroni

Well done.  Lucky you had eBay on your side.

[250swb]

7 hours ago, bosco said:

I've also had a bad experience with Alexander Spencer who runs Camera Obscura. But with a twist.

I bought a Leica M3 on eBay and before buying I messaged the seller a few times. I was told by this seller that it had been serviced that month by Camera Obscura, at a cost of £425. I was told that the camera would come with a service receipt. Well this all sounded great, I definitely didn't mind paying above the going rate for an M3 if it had been recently CLA'd and would come with receipt and a warranty, so I went ahead. I bought, I paid and then... silence.

It was after about 3 days of no message or dispatch that I thought to check the Camera Obscura website and saw the very same Leica M3 I had just purchased. I checked the eBay sellers other listings and that's when I realized the eBay seller wasn't just someone who had the camera serviced by Camera Obscura, the seller was Camera Obscura.

So some dishonesty, but if the camera was serviced, then did it really matter? It'll arrive with the service receipt, so it should all be okay in the end right?

10 days it took to arrive. The slowest I've ever received an item in 15 years of using eBay. Service receipt included? Of course not, he "serviced"  it himself to sell on eBay so why would he write up a receipt? He doesn't reply to his customers anyway so he's certainly not going to honor a warranty. How about the camera? Well it looked great on the outside but very quickly I realized the rangefinder window was full of fungus. Fungus in a camera that was serviced that same month. So either it wasn't serviced or his CLA's are such a light touch that they don't even include basic cleaning of the inside.

We've all read this thread now so the following details shouldn't be any surprise: I messaged about the service receipt - no response. I messaged about the fungus issue - no response. A few days later I opened an eBay case and instantly got a response, with some outrageously dumb explanations about how he'd only really said the exterior was beautifully clear, not the interior. And he said he never mentioned the service receipt - even though he absolutely did and it was right there in a message. I got no actual response about the fungus issue.

Of course eBay found the case in my favor and refunded me in full. You can't sell something that has blatantly visible problems without clearly describing them beforehand.

Oh and before I had even shipped the M3 back to him, he'd relisted it for sale on eBay, without any mention of the fungus.

For anyone considering sending their Leica to Camera Obscura, please don't! Don't be fooled by the Instagram and website. All the talk of the "studio" and language that makes it sound like they're a team. This is one guy in a flat. And he is only interested in taking your money upfront. He has no respect for his customers as his willingness to completely ignore and not respond to so many people has proven. I was lucky to be protected by eBay, if I wasn't, I don't doubt for a minute that I would never have heard from him again.

If anyone is struggling to get their camera back and needs his London address to send any legal letters etc, then send me a message and I can pass it on to you.

If anyone wants to make sure he's not selling your camera on eBay, here's his account https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/onetwothreenegroni

A wealth of information here, well done and I'm glad you got some good luck. I hope people can make use of the address and thank you for his eBay link, one to avoid.

[RolleiRollei]

Hi all. Late to this thread but wanted to add my voice. Alexander Spencer has held my cameras since August of last year and has not returned them. He has my 2 most valuable cameras. He also stopped responding to my emails in November/December last year after delay after delay. 

I’ve had legal advice and have now just opened a civil claim against him. Because he trades direct, ie not within a limited company, the claim is to him. I am therefore claiming from him personally. I’m not providing any legal advice for anyone else - but this is the only way to go since he’s non responsive and has held my cameras for 6 months after I’ve paid in full for his services. 

I hope more people can do the same and hold him accountable for his actions.

[LocalHero1953]

That’s good to hear. Please let us know how it all goes. 

[Benedek98]

Hey!

Sadly i only have seen his opic, afer i already sent him my M5 for repair. No answer in 2 months now. I hope i see my camera again, wihout having  to use any law to gain it back. Could anybody help me with that if the situation no chaning? I live in a different country. 

[Benedek98]

Update, after 4 months, he replied last week, that my camera will be ready this week. Of course it wasn't ready, he didn't replied again after his mail, really frustrating.....

[eternalppat]

I have the same problem.

Epson R-D1x, communication through Instagram. then moved onto email.

My timeline:

July 2023 I sent the camera.

May 2024 I received "Camera Update" message, and payment. Then he said after payment, camera will be shipped with tracking the next Monday.

and guess what, still nothing. 

I paid, I emailed, I waited. 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[250swb]

56 minutes ago, eternalppat said:

I have the same problem.

Epson R-D1x, communication through Instagram. then moved onto email.

My timeline:

July 2023 I sent the camera.

May 2024 I received "Camera Update" message, and payment. Then he said after payment, camera will be shipped with tracking the next Monday.

and guess what, still nothing. 

I paid, I emailed, I waited. 

It’s bad isn’t it, but thank you for adding a post to highlight the mess and upset this person causes.

Edited July 9, 2024 by 250swb