I don't think that it is any secret, that it is getting harder and harder to get your classic camera or equipment serviced and repaired. There are several reasons for this. First of all, all the skilled craftsmen from the 40's, 50's and 60's have retired or are about to retire, and only very few companies have survived the "plastic age". The dominant and general philosophy that most of the manufacturers have today are, that the expected (and calculated !) lifespan of f.e. a digital camera, or a mobile phone for that matter, are maximum 3 years. After these 3 years you should not expect any service, back-up or repair at all. Try to visit your local photoshop, and have a look out back. I think you'll find cardboxes full of plastic cameras that simply have been replaced by either a new camera under warranty or have just been scrapped. Let's be realistic and honest here: If you f.e. bring your defective Voigtländer Bessamatic to most ordinary  photodealers, they will probably tell you that either repair is not possible anymore, are too expensive, or try to convince you to buy a new (digital) camera in stead, and noooo your old Bessamatic isn't worth anything when trading in. Yeah right !.

There are really only one important factor that you'll have to relate to if you own a classic analogue camera that needs repair and/or service. What is the camera worth to YOU !. And I don't mean in terms of Euro's and USD.

I agree that it can seem expensive to spend f.e. 100,- Euro on a repair/CLA on f.e. a Diax that you have paid 50,- Euro for on eBay,but first of all you will get a fully functional classic that will serve you well for decades, and secondly a total price of 150,- for such quality shouldn't scare off anybody that would gladly pay the same amount for a mediocre plastic digital camera or a fancy cell phone with an expected and calculated life expectansy of 3 years !. Right ?. The decision should be even easier to make if we're talking about f.e. a Contax or a Leica. I simply just can't understand people that buys a wondeful Contax II, but doesn't want to spend f.e. 80,- or 150,- Euro on a CLA or repair. That just doesn't make any sense. 

As mentioned earlier, it is getting harder and harder to find skilled craftsmen that can carry out repair and service on classic cameras. Luckily a few enthusiasts have accepted the challenge, and opened small independent repairshops and they are often highly specialized. I can only urge you to support these guys by using them !. Often they have extensive libraries of repair manuals and documentation, and in the world of classic photography they have chosen to put their effort and energy in the mechanical work and challenges. So they deserve your support !.

Let's make some comparisons here. What does your wife pay when she goes to her hairdresser ?. What is the labourcost per hour on your local car workshop ?. What are you willing to pay for a new mobile-phone every 3 years ?. How much are you prepared to spend on a night on the town with a good dinner, or on a new pair of shoes?. Do you follow me this far ?. So feeling that f.e. 100,- Euro are expensive for a CLA considering the time, effort and expertise that have to be put into this work and in addition the fact that your beloved, trusty and valuable camera will continue to bring you pleasure and that it keeps its value or even increases in value, this is a damned good deal, right ?.

If you feel comfortable and happy with your classic camera, regardless of the actual value, it is in fact of great value to you. It is they way you express yourself, and it have maybe become a part of you; an extension of your eyes and hand. It's just the same as the way a violinist feels and cares for his instrument. Don't let anyone tell you what the "value" of your camera means to you !!. By buying and owning a classic camera you in fact join a honourable fellowship. It might not always be that apparrent, but there will always be somebody out there that shares your passion and who will be willing to support and help you, and in many cases giving free advice. By owning a classic camera you have the chance of making it a part of your personality and your personal way of expressing yourself. You are like the painter that carefully chooses his brushes and colours. If your "violin" and "brushes" are a russian Zorki, and if you feel comfortable and attached to this "instrument" with which you create your art and express yourself, just have it serviced and restored regardless of the cost. If it weren't for this kind of thinking, many beautiful classic vintage cars would have disappeared, and we would never have had a chance to admire them, experience them and maybe even drive them. It is with classic cameras as it is with classic cars and other collectables; they are important parts of our culture and history. Here's an example, and a good one too !!:

My uncle, the extraordinary and remarkable pilot and flying ace, Kaj Simonsen (left) in front of the KZ IV in 1944. In this airplane he flew count Folke Bernadotte back and forth to the peace negociations with Heinrich Himmler and SS Brigadeführer Walther Schellenberg in wartime Germany in 1944 avoiding being shot down. The second owner crashed with the KZ IV, and it was found as almost a total wreck in 1979 and donated to aircraft enthusiasts in Denmark..

The danish built KZ IV today, totally restored to 1944 condition by enthusiasts and volounteers. One of the most beauitiful handbuilt aircrafts still flies today. Thanks to enthusiasts, one of the most historical airplanes in the world are not only preserved, but also airworthy. The KZ IV was designed and build by the danish company Kramme & Zeuthen,  as an ambulance aircraft, specially  designed for landing and take-off on extremely short runways or just plain fields on some of the very small danish islands.

So you should see things in a greater perspective. If you own a classic camera, and it has got the same value and importance to you as the brushes has to the painter, and the violin to the soloist, make the right decision and let a skilled craftsman give it the attention and care it needs and deserves. 

You will find more links to selected repairshops on my "Links" page.