Leica M Camera Repair Options in the USA

aw614 said:
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.
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Would make sense, especially if you have other bodies to use during the wait. He does nice work so it's worth having him do it.
 
splitimageview said:
... For specialized work, it's DAG. But he's going to retire in the not too distant future...
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Don had previously told me (starting some years back) he was going to retire when he turned 70, which happened last December. Whenever I ask him about it now his response is that he's simply too busy to retire. It seems his son, Aaron, is pretty much qualified now to take over, but he wouldn't be able to handle the [current] work load.

I suspect one day he'll wake up and decide he's done and relegate himself to special projects and only the things he really wants to do. But my sense is that he'll never retire completely.
 
There are a number of options located in the Portland area for those in need of Leica M repair (and those in need of camera repair in general). I should note that I have yet to use any of these businesses. But when the need does arise, I plan to use one of the following as I have read favorable comments about all three either here on RFF or elsewhere.

- Advance Camera

- Camera Solutions

- Red Dot Repair (mentioned previously in this thread)
 
Bill Blackwell said:
Don had previously told me (starting some years back) he was going to retire when he turned 70, which happened last December. Whenever I ask him about it now his response is that he's simply too busy to retire. It seems his son, Aaron, is pretty much qualified now to take over, but he wouldn't be able to handle the [current] work load.

I suspect one day he'll wake up and decide he's done and relegate himself to special projects and only the things he really wants to do. But my sense is that he'll never retire completely.
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Too busy to retire. That’s funny.
 
I love the idea of Ye charging a 30% surcharge to put someone at the head of the line. Of course he could do it like he used to (First in First out) and everyone would get their camera back in a week or two. I stopped using him when he started that BS. Hope Don doesn't retire before I die.
 
Beemermark said:
I love the idea of Ye charging a 30% surcharge to put someone at the head of the line. Of course he could do it like he used to (First in First out) and everyone would get their camera back in a week or two. I stopped using him when he started that BS. Hope Don doesn't retire before I die.
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What does Don charge for a CLA?
 
Guth said:
There are a number of options located in the Portland area for those in need of Leica M repair (and those in need of camera repair in general). I should note that I have yet to use any of these businesses. But when the need does arise, I plan to use one of the following as I have read favorable comments about all three either here on RFF or elsewhere.

- Advance Camera

- Camera Solutions

- Red Dot Repair (mentioned previously in this thread)
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I do not believe that Jadon at Red Dot Repair is open anymore. He was highly skilled and efficient. And is a very nice guy. I have been to only one other shop in PDX and then only when Jadon was there was it good. They took six months for a Jupiter-8 adjust after he had left. The lens was the same as when it went in. I cannot vouch for the other. I can relate only what has been my experience. Oh, BTW, Jadon did an adjust on a KMZ J8 for me when he was at the other shop. <15 minutes. So compare <15 minutes adjusted with >6 months with no change.
 
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DAG may not be the cheapest or the fastest but you can trust his work -and his words- which is unfortunately not true for the cheaper alternative often mentioned here.
 
I certainly trust Youxin Ye. I have sent him many cameras for repair.

There is a difference in doing a CLA and a complete rebuild of a worn mechanism requiring many replacement parts. For lenses- Chris at Skyllaney has machined new helicals. That is expensive. Most shops will be limited to using a thicker grease, or using parts salvaged from other units. Think of visiting a local junk yard to get parts for your car as opposed to making new ones. Me- bought a new Retina cocking rack from Microtools, put it in myself. Can't buy new ones anymore. Only a few designated repairshops are allowed to buy parts from Leica. The rest- relegated to "junk yards".

Charge extra for rush service- not uncommon practice in many industries. It keeps the prices lower on non-rush jobs. If you do not like it- free to use someone else.

I've had some lenses sent to me to set straight after being sent to some very prominent shops. Anyone can make a mistake. It's how you set the mistake straight that is important. Refusing to admit to it- not helpful. One Sonnar: had to tell the owner it was screwed up beyond repair after it went to a famous repairman.

I suspect all repair of classic photography equipment is similar to what Chris at Skyllaney wrote about to me,

The Lens Repair Apocalypse: Repair Shops INUNDATED with work, and will get worse.

There are very few Skilled "Opto-Mechanical Engineers" (I look at the work they do, refuse to use "technician") working on Classic Lenses that have hit a new high of popularity. I know first hand: Old Lenses are cans-of-worms, repair time varies greatly on same type lenses depending on the...
rangefinderforum.com rangefinderforum.com

Some old timers here might remember when I used to convert CZJ Sonnars to Leica mount for members for $50 and left over parts. If I charged my "Day Job Rates", that would have been $800. It will not be long before the old school retires and everyone will be learning DIY repair to keep these cameras and lenses working. I was told one of the converted Sonnars that I did sold for $2K.
 
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boojum said:
I do not believe that Jadon at Red Dot Repair is open anymore.
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Perhaps not, I noticed that similar rumors had been floated about Red Dot Repair in the past only to be dispelled. (And I suppose with any of these repair businesses the possibility exists that certain customers were found to not be worth the effort after an initial encounter as dealing with grumpy old men can simply be too trying for some.) I provided links to each of the repair options I listed so that others can check them out for themselves.
 
Guth said:
Perhaps not, I noticed that similar rumors had been floated about Red Dot Repair in the past only to be dispelled. (And I suppose with any of these repair businesses the possibility exists that certain customers were found to not be worth the effort after an initial encounter as dealing with grumpy old men can simply be too trying for some.) I provided links to each of the repair options I listed so that others can check them out for themselves.
Click to expand...

I am about as grumpy an old man as there is but have always been on good terms with Jadon. He is a fellow with great technical skills who can also deal with the public. It is usually an either or deal but Jadon does well at both. The residue at where he worked have neither skill. I believe the shop changed hands some time after Jadon left.

I have had more than one unpleasant experience at Jadon's former shop and none while he was there. I had been to Jadon's old shop a few times when he was there and even when not dealing with him it was a good experience and good repairs. So, would I go back? No. Would I recommend them? No.
 
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fdu said:
DAG may not be the cheapest or the fastest but you can trust his work -and his words- which is unfortunately not true for the cheaper alternative often mentioned here.
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Of those mentioned here, I've only used DAG and never regretted it. Exquisite craftsmanship and worth every penny - that's especially critical to someone as broke as me. That said, Youxin Ye, Mark Hama & Mark Hansen are on my short list depending on camera model.
 
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