gaaah dropped my M4 - rangefinder busted!

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Running to capture a shot, using the M6, M4 over my shoulder, one thing led to another and the M4 ended up on the pavement. blah.

So, last time I had the M4 repaired at DAG, it was gone for almost 4 months. I'm right in the middle of project, and depending on both cameras, so, 4 months isn't going to work this time.

After reading the Leica technicians thread, I'm considering:

Sherry,
Essex Camera
Steve Choi

Any thoughts on the best person to discover whatever mess has occurred inside my camera?
 
Why not purchase a second M6? Use it until the project is over & then sell it. Put the repair of the M4 on hold until the project is over. When you sell the second M6 you will recoup most of your money. As for the M4 it currently is useless. The repair at best will be costly and take about a month at best.
 
Generally telling them you are in a hurry doesn't work. I have had work done by Essex, DAG and Youxin. Youxin is the fastest if he has the parts. Essex is pretty fast also but again it depends if parts are needed that they don't have. You might try contacting them and asking. DAG was the longest. I dropped a M4 and ended up selling it to Youxin since I had decided to sell it anyway. Good luck. Jim
 
I dropped my first M3 which caused separation in the viewfinder and the dreaded black viewfinder Sherry recommended installing a new rangefinder, a M6J is the closest still available for a M3 and I do not remember what the quote on this was but it was quite expensive. Youxin said he could fix it and the price he quoted me was $150 (this price quote was in 2009 and may no longer be valid) and he gave me the following caution "You need to send it to me as soon as possible. We cannot leave the separated finder long time since the silver coating may get oxidization, then the contrast will decrease after repair". I never ended up sending it to him as I dropped it in 1990 and figured it was too late. the camera still works great (while not looking as good as it used to) and I use my 25mm on it with accessory finder. Believe me I feel your pain
 
Don can be a long Time waiting but Great Work....

Youxin Ye 's turnaround Time is FAST & GOOD...perhaps give him a call...781 8309141

I have not used Sheery yet but will one Day...
not too keen on Essex Camera...

Best of Luck-H
 
I had a good experience with Essex camera. They repaired and CLA'd my M6, and they were quick (few days) and professional. Price of repair was as stated in their website.
 
It depends on whether they need parts, and if the parts are in stock. Essex waited for 4 months on back-ordered parts from Leica. I'm amazed that the parts were available for a camera discontinued in the 1960s.
 
terrible news. Sorry to hear. I agree, buy a replacement and resell later, you will not lose any money. In the meantime, find someone who has the parts and send it off.

Good luck
 
Thanks for the replies. Well, I'll see what the repair options are first before buying a second M6. The M4 is somewhat sentimental for me, it's not the first time it's needed serious repairs.
 
Essex has done a couple of M's for me, although nothing that needed substantial part replacement due to impact damage. Generally their turnaround time is stellar... a week or so, less if I call ahead and make arrangements. Out of your list, don is the only other person I've used and he's always taken a very long time (yes, good work).
 
MISH said:
I dropped my first M3 which caused separation in the viewfinder and the dreaded black viewfinder Sherry recommended installing a new rangefinder, a M6J is the closest still available for a M3 and I do not remember what the quote on this was but it was quite expensive. Youxin said he could fix it and the price he quoted me was $150 (this price quote was in 2009 and may no longer be valid) and he gave me the following caution "You need to send it to me as soon as possible. We cannot leave the separated finder long time since the silver coating may get oxidization, then the contrast will decrease after repair". I never ended up sending it to him as I dropped it in 1990 and figured it was too late. the camera still works great (while not looking as good as it used to) and I use my 25mm on it with accessory finder. Believe me I feel your pain
Click to expand...
Peter Grisaffi at CRR Luton can fix it and resilver the prisms. I think he's the only repairer that can.
 
helenhill said:
image.php

...

-H
Click to expand...

Helen, your new avatar looks like Joan of Arc. I dig it!

(Non' - sorry for the interruption.)
 
Ljós said:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page10.html
about resilvering

and http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/
for contact info.
Supposedly calling on the telephone is the best way to make contact, and take note: no new repair jobs accepted before July 2011.

Hope that helps!
Ljós
Click to expand...

Beat me to it. Dreadful website and you MUST phone him, but Peter is Solms-trained, does a stunning job (he's done two bodies and three lenses for me over the years) and turns things round very fast once you've agreed a slot.

I believe he uses modern optical resin to cement the prisms, not Canada balsam, so they should (a) stay stuck indefinitely and (b) never go yellow. The reason these prisms separate is that the original balsam - basically purified tree sap - gradually deteriorates, yellowing and becoming brittle. Eventually it loses its adhesive power and everything goes black. Myths about the gold RF patch being a deliberate measure to increase contrast are just that - myths. You're just seeing the semi-silvered patch through old yellowed balsam.
 
rogerzilla said:
Beat me to it. Dreadful website and you MUST phone him, but Peter is Solms-trained, does a stunning job (he's done two bodies and three lenses for me over the years) and turns things round very fast once you've agreed a slot.

I believe he uses modern optical resin to cement the prisms, not Canada balsam, so they should (a) stay stuck indefinitely and (b) never go yellow. The reason these prisms separate is that the original balsam - basically purified tree sap - gradually deteriorates, yellowing and becoming brittle. Eventually it loses its adhesive power and everything goes black. Myths about the gold RF patch being a deliberate measure to increase contrast are just that - myths. You're just seeing the semi-silvered patch through old yellowed balsam.
Click to expand...

I agree. He's the best Leica repairer I've come across. The only down-side is that your camera smells like an ashtray for the first couple of hours after you get it back! He's done a Leica, two Minox sub-minis and three lenses for me, and all have been really excellent jobs.
 
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