Leica M Camera Repair Options in the USA

[Bill Blackwell]

I've compiled a handful of CLA options for Leica M film cameras - as follows:

$200 - $280 depending on model - YYE (Youxin Ye) - 4-weeks
$275 - Red Dot Camera (Jadon Rosado) - 8-9 weeks
$375 - Golden Touch (Sherry Krauter) - 5-weeks
$425 - TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari) - 5-weeks
$485 - DAG (Don Goldberg) - 6-8 weeks
$575 (minimum) + $50 parts fee - Leica USA (8-10 weeks) - newer M cameras only (they will not touch M2, M3, M4, or M5 cameras)
$645 + $50 parts fee - Steve's Camera Repair (Steve Choi) - 8-10 weeks

There seems to be an irrational relationship between price and turnaround time! Yes, and I know those turnaround times are on the light side (considerably).

Feel free to post any other options ...

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

When my M3 jammed while I was just exercising the shutter without film in it, I took it to a one-man shop over in Santa Ana, CA which was next door to the Greyhound bus station. Little old guy who had told me he was trained at Solms when he repaired another camera of mine. While he didn't do a complete CLA on mine, it did come back working a lot smoother than it had after it had had a supposed CLA from one of those guys listed in your list. I now know what they mean by the Leica feel. I don't know if the shop still exists.

 

[Particular]

Thank you for compiling this informative list. I wonder where Nippon Camera in NY would fit on the scale.

 

[BWF]

In August, YYE quoted 6 month turnaround for $230.

 

[farlymac]

Maybe they increase their prices to discourage so many folks sending their cameras to them, but it has had a reverse effect, so now they are swamped with work.

PF

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Jadon Rosado (Red Dot Camera Repair) is a young chap, but has already established a pretty good reputation for himself.

He charges $275 for a CLA.

 

[Pablito]

The service offered as CLA may vary depending on each technician so the price comparison is of limited value. Some do more than others.

 

[punkzter]

DAG's real turnaround time, right now, is hovering around 6-7 months. Only his quoted turnaround time is 4-5 weeks.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

DAG's real turnaround time, right now, is hovering around 6-7 months. Only his quoted turnaround time is 4-5 weeks.

Actually, he quoted me 6-8 weeks. And although I know that is on the light side, I happen to know he'll perform if you tell him you need your camera back in 6-8 weeks. I also know there's no way Gus can actually turn a camera around in 5-weeks.

 

[punkzter]

What I know is that I sent him two lenses at the end of May. I was quoted 4-5 weeks. He still has them. I think that some people get lucky and he responds to the requested "I need them back sooner," but that doesn't work for everyone.

This is not meant to disparage anyone, it's just my current real experience.

Before those lenses, he had a few other lenses that also took 6 months to service, with a 4-5 week quoted turn-around time.

 

[raydm6]

I've compiled a handful of CLA options for Leica M film cameras - as follows:

$200 - $280 depending on model - YYE (Youxin Ye) - 4-weeks
$275 - Red Dot Camera (Jadon Rosado) - 8-9 weeks
$375 - Golden Touch (Sherry Krauter) - 5-weeks
$425 - TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari) - 5-weeks
$485 - DAG (Don Goldberg) - 6-8 weeks
$575 (minimum) + $50 parts fee - Leica USA (8-10 weeks) - newer M cameras only (they will not touch M2, M3, M4, or M5 cameras)
$645 + $50 parts fee - Steve's Camera Repair (Steve Choi) - 8-10 weeks

There seems to be an irrational relationship between price and turnaround time! Yes, and I know those turnaround times are on the light side (considerably).

Feel free to post any other options ...

FYI, I just checked Gus's website. He is semi-retired now and has doubled his repair fees (ex. $975 for Leica Film M RF):

With the recent retirement of many 'Old School' technicians & services, optic element polish & re-coating has been dropped from my offerings.
Also, for any items received after 2-1-2023, so sorry, but
all service labor prices have already been Doubled.

Services

Landscaping Service

tlccamerarepair.com

 

[Freakscene]

FYI, I just checked Gus's website. He is semi-retired now and has doubled his repair fees (ex. $975 for Leica Film M RF):

Services

Landscaping Service

tlccamerarepair.com

The ‘light side’???

Gus’s turnaround time is among the longest. I am not sure where that 5 weeks comes from, but not reality. More like 12-30 months in my experience.

Leica have clearly stated that if you send them a film camera the turnaround time is ‘up to’ 8 months New MP vs Vintage - in my experience that should have read “at least” 8 months.

So, maybe ‘grossly understated’ not ‘light’.

 

[aw614]

I waited about 11-12 months for my IIIC and Leotax F from YYE, from the initial estimate of 5 months. I have a feeling everyone else was doing rush/priority service so mine just kept falling back in the que. I wasn't in a hurry, and had plenty of other cameras to use. Pleased with the work as both the Leica and Leotax are running very smooth and have gone through a few roll of films already in the last month.

I will admit, it was quicker to get a Canon IVS and a Nicca Type IIIs shipped from the USA to Oleg and back to me.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

FWIW, I have it on good authority that Jadon Rosado (Red Dot Camera Repair) is no longer repaiting cameras.
So scratch him off the list. ...

 

[oldwino]

time to update that list...

 

[Slumgullion]

FWIW, I have it on good authority that Jadon Rosado (Red Dot Camera Repair) is no longer repaiting cameras.
So scratch him off the list. ...

Sadly, turns out dealing with (some) Leica people is a fate worse than death. I'm sorry that Jadon didn't stick with it, but I also totally understand.

 

[boojum]

Sadly, turns out dealing with (some) Leica people is a fate worse than death. I'm sorry that Jadon didn't stick with it, but I also totally understand.

Jadon is a class guy. I dealt with him in person when he was working for a camera store in PDX. He was very good and able to talk to people unlike the rest of the crew at the shop he left to start his own business. I had lenses to send him. I guess not now. He was very good and quick.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Jadon is active on REDDIT-

https://www.reddit.com/user/RedDotRepair/

2months ago he stated that he is pivoting to take in repairs from Shops and from Leica.
ANYWAY- I sent an inquiry to him.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Jadon responded to me very quickly. Leica no longer supplies Parts to independent repair shops. Jadon will focus more on Hasselblad repair, and Leica CLA type work.
Jadon no longer offers M9 sensor repair work- too long to get the glass cut, and too many people opting into the repair with all the caveats and still complaining about results.
I suppose the prices of M9 and M Monochrom cameras with old sensors should nosedive.

 

[farlymac]

Jadon responded to me very quickly. Leica no longer supplies Parts to independent repair shops. Jadon will focus more on Hasselblad repair, and Leica CLA type work.
Jadon no longer offers M9 sensor repair work- too long to get the glass cut, and too many people opting into the repair with all the caveats and still complaining about results.
I suppose the prices of M9 and M Monochrom cameras with old sensors should nosedive.

I'm glad he is doing Hasselblad repairs because mine could use a ton of work.

PF