Kanto Camera Repairs

Kanto Camera offers repairs and overhauls (CLAs) to aim to restore the photographic functionality of cameras and lenses.


●Leica Repairs Overhauls (CLAs)

For performing repairs and overhauls, the right knowledge and techniques are essential, as well as the right tools and measuring equipment. Our repair services are carried out by technicians who have taken technical training at the manufacturer and ones have trained from those technicians. Furthermore, we use not only the manufacturer's genuine tools, but also our own special tools and various measuring equipment, and we provide overhauls and repairs according to the strict standards that are improved on the manufacturer's standards. Also, we are constantly striving to improve our repair techniques by proactively adopting new machinery and technology.







The biggest challenge in overhauling and repairing old cameras and lenses is not only the skill, but also securing spare parts. We stock genuine (original) parts from the manufacturer, but many parts are unavailable due to the old product. If necessary, and if we can resolve the cost issue, we check the mechanisms and specifications of the parts in order to reproduce them. Our policy is to repair items for practical use. Please kindly understand that we may use non-original spare parts to carry out the repair if necessary.

We do cleaning for the exterior parts as much as possible during the overhaul process. The scratches and marks that could not be removed by cleaning, will be left as they are, unless they may cause any functional failure or unless customer request any extra work.

Note: We do not sell spare parts.


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●Leica Viewfinder Repairs

The purpose of the viewfinder repairs is to improve visibility. 
Simply cleaning the outside of the viewfinder/rangefinder unit during the overhaul process is sufficient to improve the visibility in the most cases. In addition, if necessary, we re-coat the prism, fix the balsam separation, replace the half-mirror of screw mount cameras, etc. The actual repair depends on the condition of each viewfinder, so we judge what kind of repair is necessary when we inspect a camera in person.
Additionally, we also produce new mirrors and half-mirrors.

Leica M3 Viewfinder Restoration

Before


After


Beam Splitting Prism Restoration (Restore the Peeled Adhesive Surface)

Before


After

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●Leica M6/M4-P
Masking of Viewfinder Framelines

For example, the 135mm framelines of the Leica M6 can be masked so that it is not visible. Then only the 35mm framelines will be visible when mounting the 35mm lenses.

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●Pentaprism Re-evaporation
Leicaflex SL/SL2
Nikon F/F2 etc

We do re-evaporation for pentaprisms.
However, if the silver evaporation is starting failing, it may have eroded the glass, in which case re-evaporation may not produce a very clean finish. So, depending on the condition of the prism, we may not be able to recommend re-evaporation. We will inspect the condition before deciding whether or not to accept your request.

Before


After

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●Lens MTF Measuring Device

This device measures contrast, which is one of the factors to evaluate lens performance.
It measures the contrast at the center and at the periphery of the lens. In the training course at Leica, we were taught that “a lens repaired without an MTF measuring device is no longer a Leica lens". We repair lenses not only to Leica's standards, but also to our own stricter standards.

MTF
MTF

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●Re-cementing and Centering for Lenses

We use an in-house produced jig to center the optical axis for re-cementing lens elements.

Balsam Separation (Before Treatment)

After Centering and Re-cementing Elements

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●Re-coating for Lenses

Some lenses from the 1940s and 1950s have a soft coating on their inner lens elements. This coating can be removed by cleaning, so you may see lenses with the coating removed on the secondhand market. We properly apply a soft single coat that is equivalent to the original coating.
When we overhaul lenses from this era, we apply a single coat equivalent to the original coating if necessary.
*We don't offer multi-coating.

Coating Damages (Before Treatment)

*Preparing Sample Image

After Re-coating Lens Element

*Preparing Sample Image

Vacuum Evaporation Machine for Lens Coating

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●Leica Vario-Elmar-R 80-200mm f4
Removing Fog from Middle Element

The Vario Elmar-R 80-200/4 is very often found with haze that appears in between the cemented elements G9/10. We can remove the haze by re-cementing the elements. This repair saves the high spec lens that the price was over 300,000 JPY at that time.

Vario-Elmar-R 80-200

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●Replacing Foggy Middle Element
for Canon 50mm f1.2 (L39)

The Canon 50/1.2 (Leica screw mount) is very often found with haze on the middle lens element (G5). This haze is caused by weathering of the glass itself. Even if it is temporarily removed by cleaning and polishing, it will reappear after a while. The only way to eliminate the haze is to replace the element with a new part. We have reproduced the lens element and offer repair service. If you have problems with haze on this lens, please feel free to contact us for repair.



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●Replacing Focus Tab
for Summilux M35mm f1.4 etc.

The plastic focus tabs often break. If it breaks, we can replace it with our brass made focus knob.
Our focus tab has the same shape as the original one and is beautifully painted in black. It is also possible to paint it a color other than black, or to install a bare brass focus knob without painting.

If you are interested in installing the brass focus tab on a lens other than the Summilux M35/1.4, please contact us with the model name, version, and its serial number.
*Additional processing or overhaul may be required.
*If the diameter of the lens barrel is significantly different from that of the Summilux M35/1.4, the focus tab cannot be installed. Also, depending on the internal construction of the lens barrel, it may not be possible to install the focus tab.





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●Hasselblad Repair

Here are some of the adjustment tools for Hasselblad.

Shutter Tester


Body Setting Angle Gauge


Lens Setting Angle Gauge


Hasselblad Planar80mm f2.8C Shutter Ring Plate
We have reproduced shutter ring plates for Hasselblad Planar 80/2.8C lenses to replace ones with faded numbers as shown in the photo below.
In addition to offering repairs and replacements, we also sell the parts. Please see this page for more information. 


A plate with faded numbers


After replacing the plate

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●Repairs for Other Mechanical Cameras

Nikon Rangefinder Camera

Canon Rangefinder Camera

Rollei35

We also offer repair services for the Canon F-1, and etc.

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