Complete restoration of Leica 250 Reporter FF camera body

[John C. Ling]

Where can I send my camera body for CLA, small dent removal, black repainting, and re-nickeling of plated parts?

 

[qqphotos]

Perhaps drop in on this thread on l-c-f KOOBF Cassettes for Leica 250 Reporter

It seems like anyone who knows about those cameras will at least see your question there.

 

[38Deardorff]

Kanto Camera in Japan would be my suggestion

Repair & Restoration

 

[Jbennett68]

Pretty valuable camera. I’d research it thouroughly before k did that. Would it devalue your example?

 

[38Deardorff]

Pretty valuable camera. I’d research it thouroughly before k did that. Would it devalue your example?

I'd bet money that a repaint & rechrome would sink the value.....

 

[John C. Ling]

Kanto Japan stated that black repainting and CLA would take two years but declined to re-nickel the plated parts! I would like to have the parts re—nickeled as well. I have sent two emails to cameraworks-uk without any response. Are they still in business? I have telephoned them many times without their answering my calls. I contacted Leica Classic in Vienna but they declined to perform any cosmetic restoration at all. Is there anyone else I can contact to have this work done?

 

[38Deardorff]

Kanto Japan stated that black repainting and CLA would take two years but declined to re-nickel the plated parts! I would like to have the parts re—nickeled as well. I have sent two emails to cameraworks-uk without any response. Are they still in business? I have telephoned them many times without their answering my calls. I contacted Leica Classic in Vienna but they declined to perform any cosmetic restoration at all. Is there anyone else I can contact to have this work done?

Do you have a photo of the camera JCL?

 

[WoodallP]

Kanto Japan stated that black repainting and CLA would take two years but declined to re-nickel the plated parts! I would like to have the parts re—nickeled as well. I have sent two emails to cameraworks-uk without any response. Are they still in business? I have telephoned them many times without their answering my calls. I contacted Leica Classic in Vienna but they declined to perform any cosmetic restoration at all. Is there anyone else I can contact to have this work done?

I can confirm Cameraworks are still in business and doing a great job. However you sometimes have to work a bit to get a reply.

 

[Dralowid]

I really wouldn't do any cosmetic restoration however well it is done, it will devalue the camera significantly.

250s were workhorses, many are well worn and proudly show signs of a hard life.

 

[38Deardorff]

I really wouldn't do any cosmetic restoration however well it is done, it will devalue the camera significantly.

250s were workhorses, many are well worn and proudly show signs of a hard life.

As will any repaint or cosmetic 'improvement'

 

[John C. Ling]

How about Restoration 35? Are they any good?

 

[aoresteen]

Back in the 80's I had a pair of Pentax Spotmatics with motor drives and 250 exp backs. I used them for sports - a few times. I have a 250 exp back for my OM-1 & OM-2 cameras, I have never used it. Maybe I should. I had a reel & tank for 27 feet of film but now I have no clue where or what happened to it.

The Leica 250 is a museum piece. If you are planning on using it I'd suggest you get a 35mm SLR & a 250 exp back and walk through the mechanics of using one. I had to rig up a dryer to dry the film on the 27 foot SS reel. Then cutting the film in 5 frame strips & putting them into negative pages - then making the proof sheets. 250 exp is 7 36exp rolls of film. I went back to shooting 4 36ex rolls of Tri-X using two bodies. 1 roll per quarter at a football game. Far easier to handle than the 250 exp back.

Good luck with your project!

 

[p.giannakis]

I would take Leica Vienna's response as a serious warning and refrain from any cosmetic restoration of a collectable piece. For the last 20 years, the collectors have moved away from fully restored pieces and they don't seem to be going back to it.

Typical example: Rare Rolex submariner, restored to "like new" condition by Rolex itself fetches now half the price (if not less) than original, beaten up sample. Same for painting restorations.

You might be risking putting a lot of money into making a very rare and desirable camera into less desirable and far less valuable camera.

That's my 2c, good luck 👍

 

[raydm6]

I saw a 250 IRL on the bottom shelf in a display case at a used/new camera store about 10 years ago in Rockport, Massachusetts. Don’t know if the store is still there.

I wanted to engage the old man behind the counter, but the look/scowl on his face changed my mind and I walked out after a few minutes of browsing.

I kinda’ wish I did engage him and talk about the camera and other used Leicas (which I don’t remember much as my attention was fixed in the 250). Just a vibe I was picking up… but his countenance may have changed if I did. Oh well…

 

[skopar steve]

raydm6, I remember that store and the old gentleman. I spent some hours talking to him. He had an interesting history about escaping Turkey during the Armenian genocide. His son owned the Leica store in Boston. I doubt if the store is still there. I left Boston 30 years ago.

 

[raydm6]

Thanks @skopar steve. Interesting to know. I wish I spoke to him. Wonder if he and the camera are still around.

 

[skopar steve]

I would doubt he is still alive, but you never know. Rockport is always worth a visit. Hopefully his son took over the store. When I lived in Boston I could take the T to Rockport now it's a couple hour or so drive.

 

[JeffS7444]

I don't know the answer to the OP's question, and possibly no RFF member does. But perhaps Douglas So / F11 Foto Museum might.

 

[Muggins]

I would doubt he is still alive, but you never know. Rockport is always worth a visit. Hopefully his son took over the store. When I lived in Boston I could take the T to Rockport now it's a couple hour or so drive.

Given that the genocide was 1915-17, he's wrong side of the turf.

 

[Alpsman]

We wear our scars with pride and we have earned our wrinkles.

My cameras are only repaired to keep them functional.
I'm not thinking about touching up the paint, let alone artificially aging them.
But that's my personal attitude toward old "tools."