I’ve been using an Olympus E-1 since early 2006 and since then, I’ve taken it on my trips to Asia, specifically the urban jungle of Japan, all over the Philippines from Davao, the Illocos region, Palawan, Manila and other spots like Coron and everywhere else exploring and relaxing within the country. My trip to Thailand was a fun vacation to take pictures, from walking around the city to the beaches of Krabi and Patong. Yea, it was all fun!

Original article at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Getting-your-camera-fixed-after-your-warranty-expires-in-Los-Angeles

So I can say that the camera has gone through some pretty crappy weather. From the heat, humidity, the rain, bugs and sand. I’ve taken this camera with me, and it’s treated me well.

So when the rubber on the grip started to peal, I didn’t take too much notice, it was just rubber right? Then over time, it really started to peal. Then I thought that I should take it for repair. By this time, my Olympus warranty was expired. I contacted Olympus and the price to fix the problem and do a cleaning of the camera was about $250 or so. Needless to say, I didn’t do it and let the rubber on my grip peal off gradually.

After coming home from my last vacation, I found that the OVF had persistent dirt blocking my view. The pictures I took came out fine, and so the dirt was somewhere around the viewfinder. I was stumped. Didn’t worry because it didn’t affect the picture.

Then a few months later, I read about the Katz-Eye Focusing Screen that helped a person improve their manual focusing in low light conditions, and this product also improved the brightness of the optical viewfinder! I thought about it for a few months and read the reviews, and I finally bit and bought the Katz-Eye earlier this year.

Original article at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Getting-your-camera-fixed-after-your-warranty-expires-in-Los-Angeles

Now I had three issues, the installation of the new Katz-Eye Focusing Screen, and the dirt in my viewfinder; don’t forget the rubber problem on my grip. If I go to Olympus, it will cost at least $250 for the rubber for the grip and to fix the viewfinder issue. I would have to install the Katz-Eye myself and I didn't want that hassle.

I figured I might as well find a camera repair shop nearby and see how much they’d charge to install the Katz-Eye, remove that pesky dirft from the viewfinder and replace the rubber on the grip.

I found a camera repair shop the first day I seriously searched on the Internet. I wasn’t sure about calling, because from their website, it looked like a high end camera repair center that catered to Hasselblads, Leicas and Linhofs – camera brands that I’d seriously have to take out a very large loan to buy even the cheapest model. Then figure out what to do with the beast seeing that I'm not a pro photographer.

As I read the site, it did say that they repaired compact and other digital cameras by Canon, Nikon…. and Olympus, specifically a very old Olympus E-1 that's been out of the market for years! Yea, and other brands as well like Samsung, Pentax and Sony, etc.

Damn, I should have done this earlier. I was surprised when I got the quote of “$125 to $150.” I was surprised at the low cost. I was expecting something more to fix my three problems. I went to the shop a few days later and gave them my Olympus E-1.

What was great was that it was a few minutes drive. I knew the area and I figured I'd save on the shipping to the Olympus repair center. Plus it's a local business, so that was cool. I also liked the fact that these guys specialty was fixing these high end camera brands.

So I figured if they're good enough to be an authorized repair center for Hasselblad and a Leica specialist (Grabbed one of their business cards, and that's what it says on the front of the business card - "Hasselblad Authorized Service Center" and "Leica Specialist"), then they should do a good job with my Olympus!

The repair shop had to order the rubber and it took a few weeks, but I didn’t mind. Ask how long it will take to fix your camera to be on the knowledgeable side. I don’t know where the hell they ordered it – probably from Olympus, Japan. Parts for the E-1 are probably pretty rare and not stocked in your normal repair facility.

I’m just glad I got this camera back and that it feels new again! The Katz-Eye makes taking pictures in low light a joy – I got the OptiBrite Treatment and man, they didn’t lie, it’s pretty bright.

Original article at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Getting-your-camera-fixed-after-your-warranty-expires-in-Los-Angeles

It feels like a different camera. The dirt now is gone, and the rubber on the grip feels good and tight. I feel like I’m once again learning the camera’s functions in regards to what it can and cannot do.

I can’t wait until I take this thing out to a car show. But first, I have to get used to it all over again; this is going to be a fun year!

I have to give my props to Steve’s Service Center in Culver City - http://stevecamera.com/index.html.

Here’s the address and contact information if you’re looking for someone to repair your camera in the Los Angeles area.

4355 South Sepulveda Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90230

stevecamera@gmail.com

310-397-0072

Steve’s Service Center is right next to a Vietnamese Pho restaurant on one side and a Cuban restaurant on the other. By the way, Samy’s Camera is a few feet away from the Steve’s Service Center. So you could check it out and buy some new gear and get some food while you’re at it. Oh yea, across the street is a neighborhood coffee shop and furniture store.

Should I have just bought a new camera with improved AF, more megapixels, faster operations and bigger LCD? No, I’m fine with the camera I have, I’d rather spend a few hundred dollars to improve its operations than a few thousand dollars for something I really don’t want. I am however, patiently waiting for the update to the Olympus E-3 and for that, I can wait a few more years.

Original article at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Getting-your-camera-fixed-after-your-warranty-expires-in-Los-Angeles

Right now, I’m eyeing the Panasonic LX3 for its F2.0 lens and its low light capability. Another feature I’ve found out is that I can use my Olympus FL-36 or my FL-50 flash on this compact camera with full TTL support! Too bad the Panasonic LX3 basically sold out all over the place.

I’ve called around and it seems that everyone has this camera on backorder or it’s being sold for a ridiculous amount of cash. I’ll bide my time until the next batch from Panasonic arrives in stores. By then, I should have my tax refund money! Yea!

I know Leica has that D-Lux 4 that shares the mechanics of the LX3. Thing is, the D-Lux 4 cost around $800. I know Leica added their own algorithm to the software, but man, that's just too rich for my blood. I can see myself buying an LX3 for around $400, and yea that's a lot too, but if I want to be funny, I can say it's a $400 discount!

I just did a photo shoot over the weekend and got to know my camera. The first pictures I took I knew the settings had to be changed, the pictures were coming out with a bluish cast.

At the end of the shoot, I changed all my settings to reflect the upgrades done to the camera. There's going to be a few car shows coming up, so I'll be able to see the difference taking pictures in dark environements soon enough.

So far the pictures I've taken came out pretty good.