Alternatives for Leica Screw Mount Repair

[justins7]

Does anyone know of repair people who can fix a Leica IIIc or IIIf in the US? I am in the New York area. I am looking for alternatives to Youxin and Sherry Krauter.
Sherry seems semi-retired (?).
Youxin repaired my IIIf about 4 years ago and it only lasted two years — just past the warranty period but way too soon for a camera I hardly ever used. It didn't need a repair for at least 20 years (the time I've owned it), until the slow shutter speeds went kaput. A repair like that should last longer than 2 years.
I've been hearing similar stories of lenses breaking again soon after his repair.

My IIIc has the same slow-shutter speed problems (they go into B mode); it was last repaired by Sherry around 1997 and last about 15 years.

So both now need the same repair but I am reluctant to send them to him.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[splitimageview]

What failed on the Youxin repair? I wouldn't automatically blame Youxin for this, after all, a IIIf is a 70ish year old camera, as are many of the lenses he works on. That sort of thing can and does happen to any repair tech....

 

[Erik van Straten]

Does anyone know of repair people who can fix a Leica IIIc or IIIf in the US? I am in the New York area. I am looking for alternatives to Youxin and Sherry Krauter.
Sherry seems semi-retired (?).
Youxin repaired my IIIf about 4 years ago and it only lasted two years — just past the warranty period but way too soon for a camera I hardly ever used. It didn't need a repair for at least 20 years (the time I've owned it), until the slow shutter speeds went kaput. A repair like that should last longer than 2 years.
I've been hearing similar stories of lenses breaking again soon after his repair.

My IIIc has the same slow-shutter speed problems (they go into B mode); it was last repaired by Sherry around 1997 and last about 15 years.

So both now need the same repair but I am reluctant to send them to him.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

The III/IIIa Leicas are far more reliable than the IIIc/IIIf Leicas. Their construction is much simpler, but they last forever. The IIIc's and IIIf's are nightmares for the repairmen. Parts are easily damaged. Screws break and springs fly away. They often leak light.

A late black Leica III is the best you can have. Just check the rangefinder mirror. That part is difficult to replace. The thin, round spring under the wind knob/framecounter is vulnerable too and these are not available anymore. The other parts are indestructable.

Erik.

 

[raydm6]

Have you seen this web page? Leica repair USA

Gus is well regarded but according to his website, not taking any more repairs at the moment because of backlog. Most of the others you know.

• USA: TLC Camera Repairs (Gus Lazarri)
• USA (Wisconsin): DAG Camera Parts(Don Goldberg)
• USA (NYC): Sherry Krauter
• USA (Massachusetts): yyecamera.com (Youxin Ye)
• USA: Jadon at red dot repair
• USA: Ryan Jones at RJ repairs (Took over Pro Camera Inc)
• USA: Advance camera repair
• USA (LA): Camera Service Center (Steve Camera)

Although I have no first-hand knowledge, RJ repairs looks interesting and has quite some interesting tear-down pictures:
https://www.rj-repairs.com/

 

[justins7]

Thanks for all the replies! This is a great list.
I didn't mean to blame Youxin exactly, but I would like to look for others since he seems backlogged (as they all do). I was about to just send it back to him but then thought I'd look for alternatives.
Sherry replaced the rangefinder mirrors on both of these cameras a while ago and they are still bright and work perfectly, so it's a shame.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Does anyone know of repair people who can fix a Leica IIIc or IIIf in the US? I am in the New York area. I am looking for alternatives to Youxin and Sherry Krauter.
Sherry seems semi-retired (?).
Youxin repaired my IIIf about 4 years ago and it only lasted two years — just past the warranty period but way too soon for a camera I hardly ever used. It didn't need a repair for at least 20 years (the time I've owned it), until the slow shutter speeds went kaput. A repair like that should last longer than 2 years.
I've been hearing similar stories of lenses breaking again soon after his repair.

My IIIc has the same slow-shutter speed problems (they go into B mode); it was last repaired by Sherry around 1997 and last about 15 years.

So both now need the same repair but I am reluctant to send them to him.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Your description sounds like a stuck escapement. Not ideal, but if the camera has sat idle for a long time ("hardly ever used" were your words, so I don't know what that precisely equals) not altogether surprising, and not at all difficult to remedy. Do you need slow speeds? If you hardly ever use the camera, I'm not sure why it would matter in the first place that slow speeds don't work, (unless these are the ones you really need, perhaps). The point is: it's always better to use a camera regularly, or at the very least, to exercise it. If this doesn't happen going forward, similar problems, (even if you have the camera serviced again), will be still be more likely to reoccur, compared to a good camera that is in regular use.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Don Goldberg is the best for Leica repairs. I have two IIIf bodies that he worked on and both work flawlessly.

 

[PWL]

There is only one: Don Goldberg, DAG camera parts/repair. He has serviced my screwmount Leicas, and the work is always top-notch. Be aware, however, that there will be a long lead time, because he is usually swamped with work. But it will be worth the wait.

 

[justins7]

Your description sounds like a stuck escapement. Not ideal, but if the camera has sat idle for a long time ("hardly ever used" were your words, so I don't know what that precisely equals) not altogether surprising, and not at all difficult to remedy. Do you need slow speeds? If you hardly ever use the camera, I'm not sure why it would matter in the first place that slow speeds don't work, (unless these are the ones you really need, perhaps). The point is: it's always better to use a camera regularly, or at the very least, to exercise it. If this doesn't happen going forward, similar problems, (even if you have the camera serviced again), will be still be more likely to reoccur, compared to a good camera that is in regular use.

This is a really good point. It sat basically unused for about two years during Covid, so I should not blame the previous repair people. I guess I am just spoiled by my beaten up M3 which has not been serviced in over 20 years, has also sat for a year or two, and still works flawlessly.
You're right that I could just not use slow shutter speeds, but I do take night shots sometimes.

Thanks again!

 

[muser53]

Have you called Sherry or are you just going on hearsay. If she is not available I would recommend you call Don and see what his turn around is. You might be pleasantly surprised.