Leica M Camera Repair Options in the USA

[Godfrey]

For me this is more than an academic question. I have this silly idea that Leica should fix their cameras in a timely manner and that they should be willing to supply parts to independent shops. Thankfully I have not yet had to suffer the lengthy waits attached to Leica repair. OTOH I sent a Sony A7M II to their designated repair facility in Windsor Locks, CT, had telephone contact the whole time, turnaround was like two weeks and a CLA and repair was ~$200. Some folks fix the damned things and some folks do not.

...

So you're complaining and complaining about Leica service delays yet have not experienced it yourself.
That's rather disingenuous.

I've had Leica USA service several cameras in the past five-seven years. The longest wait I experienced was 8 weeks, most were four to five. That's about half what the two independent shops I have had other cameras serviced at took.

G

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Parts: just try to find a new battery for a Leica M240. No third-party, and none available from Leica. I bought a used one from KEH. This is unforgiveable.

I've experienced a 9-month delay with Leica USA, which was getting the M Monochrom CCD replaced under warranty. I understood that.
What I find worse: firmware releases that introduce problems more than fix them.
Firmware problems that do not get fixed. I learn how to work around them.

I will not be buying new Leica cameras. When the ones I have no longer work, I will be using lenses on Nikon mirrorless cameras.

 

[splitimageview]

I don't believe leica officially supported any third party shops in US to begin with.

Yes, they did. I was one.

And then there is Leica. High prices, low service. And they get away with it so why should they invest in having better service? Yeah, right. There is no need to. It is just disappointing. That's my two cents.

Yes, exactly, they can put money into a fancy HQ instead of beefing up their service department to have faster turn. Apparently Leica customers are ok with this. But not me after my experience! I won't buy another new Leica digital.

 

[Slumgullion]

My M7 went to Leica NJ. The quoted turn around time is 25-26 weeks. Maybe it's faster for some of the digital gear...dunno. The quoted price for a relatively 'straightforward' CLA is $750. I'd have my local repair person look at it, but they don't have the the parts/training to work on the M7's electronically controlled shutter (and address some of the small factory defects). I'm excited to get it back, and I'm glad that I have other cameras to use in the interim, but six months is not exactly reasonable. I'd prefer a system where I can reserve a spot in the service queue and hold on to my camera until they are ready to work on it.

 

[boojum]

Also, a two week turnaround with a Sony A7M II for about $200 for a repair and CLA kind of makes me wonder if Leica is more sizzle than steak.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

time to update that list...

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. ...

Except TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari), who has doubled his prices and essentially retired, I can confirm the list at the top of this thread is still valid. And as well as I can determine pricing indicated is still accurate (except Gus), but look for much longer turnaround times.

Don Goldberg - who is among the few who can still get replacement parts from Leica - tells me he's as busy as he has ever been.

 

[boojum]

Except TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari), who has doubled his prices and essentially retired, I can confirm the list at the top of this thread is still valid. And as well as I can determine pricing indicated is still accurate (except Gus), but look for much longer turnaround times.

Don Goldberg - who is among the few who can still get replacement parts from Leica - tells me he's as busy as he has ever been.

There is a possibility that repairs will become a rarity and cameras will become another consumer item. When it breaks just chuck it and get another. I would hope that they cameras become more rugged and prices come down. Yeah, and that if I put a tooth under the pillow I will get a quarter.

 

[raydm6]

Except TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari), who has doubled his prices and essentially retired, I can confirm the list at the top of this thread is still valid. And as well as I can determine pricing indicated is still accurate (except Gus), but look for much longer turnaround times.

Don Goldberg - who is among the few who can still get replacement parts from Leica - tells me he's as busy as he has ever been.

Gus just posted some interesting comments ↗️ on the M3 - with detailed innards pics (I think it's an M3) - over at p.net.

 

[oldwino]

Except TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari), who has doubled his prices and essentially retired, I can confirm the list at the top of this thread is still valid. And as well as I can determine pricing indicated is still accurate (except Gus), but look for much longer turnaround times.

Don Goldberg - who is among the few who can still get replacement parts from Leica - tells me he's as busy as he has ever been.

I think Don has all the business from Camera West and Leica Store Miami, and maybe others.

 

[hap]

My M7 went to Leica NJ. The quoted turn around time is 25-26 weeks. Maybe it's faster for some of the digital gear...dunno. The quoted price for a relatively 'straightforward' CLA is $750. I'd have my local repair person look at it, but they don't have the the parts/training to work on the M7's electronically controlled shutter (and address some of the small factory defects). I'm excited to get it back, and I'm glad that I have other cameras to use in the interim, but six months is not exactly reasonable. I'd prefer a system where I can reserve a spot in the service queue and hold on to my camera until they are ready to work on it.

Don't they do that at Kanto?

 

[hap]

Gus just posted some interesting comments ↗️ on the M3 - with detailed innards pics (I think it's an M3) - over at p.net.

View attachment 4854069

I knew Gus in the wayback machine in Orange County before he became disgusted with California. Now I know why my Nikon SP shutter sound at 1/30 and lower speed. This happened when Don CLA'd. He would have looked at it but I just did not feel liking with the rigamaro of packing, returning and wait a month or 6 for it to be returned.

anyway, the fantastic clunk of the shutter my S2 is very reassuring.

 

[Mcary]

Except TLC Camera Repair (Gus Lazzari), who has doubled his prices and essentially retired, I can confirm the list at the top of this thread is still valid. And as well as I can determine pricing indicated is still accurate (except Gus), but look for much longer turnaround times.

Don Goldberg - who is among the few who can still get replacement parts from Leica - tells me he's as busy as he has ever been.

As an FYI to anyone interested YYE (Youxin Ye) does offer rushed 2-3 day service for an additional charge of 25%. Had him do a CLA and partial recover of my M2 in Nov 2024.

 

[Talus]

Just an update here for those interested. Just reached out to Don (DAG) and he quoted me about 4 weeks for an M3 CLA. Have some messages out to Youxin and Red Dot to see what others are at right now.

On a side note, I've had Don, Sherry and Youxin work on my Ms over the years and am happy with all of them. Actually got to go to Youxin's house back in 2017 and he and his wife did the MP finder upgrade on my M6 while I hung out at the house and chatted. Super nice people.

 

[splitimageview]

Just make sure to remind DAG several times of his commitment. If you don’t, three weeks can turn into 8 months. Ask me how i know. 😆

 

[Talus]

Just make sure to remind DAG several times of his commitment. If you don’t, three weeks can turn into 8 months. Ask me how i know. 😆

Thanks for the heads up. I have some bigger trips coming up this year. It would be nice to have camera to bring along. Haha

 

[Talus]

Update on my M3 service. Youxin is 10 months out but can do a CLA expedited for +30% and he says turnaround is typically a few days. I went that route. If my math is correct, even expedited with Youxin is cheaper than many of the other options out there.

 

[splitimageview]

I recall when YYE's turn was days, not months. But for common work I use others now. For specialized work, it's DAG. But he's going to retire in the not too distant future...

 

[Talus]

I've had Don and Youxin work on my Ms and lenses over the years, mostly with Don though.
I'm sorry to hear he's retiring as he's definitely my go-to.

There are several shops that have come up on my radar that I may give a try. It's just nice to go with someone you know and trust when it comes to this kind of stuff.

 

[splitimageview]

Well he's not retiring imminently, but he did mention it to me, that it's on the horizon...

 

[aw614]

Update on my M3 service. Youxin is 10 months out but can do a CLA expedited for +30% and he says turnaround is typically a few days. I went that route. If my math is correct, even expedited with Youxin is cheaper than many of the other options out there.

That sounds about right. My IIIC and Leotax f took almost 11 months to get back. I think everyone jumped the line in front of me and since I had a ton of other cameras to shoot with so I just waited.