$290 for Leica M3 CLA

[landryrk]

OK, I got a quote of $290 plus shipping from a 'respected Leica repair facility' known to all here for my old beater Leica M3 (serial number 743505). I don't think $290 is too expensive but I will need a little help from this board for WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) of this repair. The M3 appears to be working OK now but it hasn't had a CLA since 1978 and I think that some TLC now will do me and the camera some good.

Any other good points that the little lady needs to know about the necessity for a CLA?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

If you bought a Chevy in 1978 and did periodic maintence on it over the last 29 years I am willing to bet that the maintence costs will add up to more than $290. The Leica M3 may even be worth more than 78 Chevy, especially if the Chevy did not have any maintence done on it🙂

Wayne

 

[back alley]

i think i'll move this to the leica m section...

 

[rogue_designer]

best argument against the WAF is that maintenance on cameras you already own, is the best way to ensure you enjoy using them, and won't want to buy another one.

Too bad GAS is actually incurable. But with some luck, they don't all know that yet.

 

[peter_n]

1978 that is almost 30 years so it is way past it's service date. I had a 1/2 CLA done on my M6TTL earlier this year and it is 9 years old; cost was $160. Really worth it in the long run...

 

[vrgard]

best argument against the WAF is that maintenance on cameras you already own, is the best way to ensure you enjoy using them, and won't want to buy another one.

Ooh, I like that one.

Another one I like, although it is a bit more metaphysical, is that there's good karma in having your possessions in good working order. A feng shui master told me that one.

-Randy

 

[rogue_designer]

this reminds me, I have a P to send out for a body focus adjust.

(must not purchase another... must resist)

 

[xayraa33]

or that you will get way more money when you sell that Cla'd camera.
just never tell her when you are going to sell it.

 

[wpb]

If it needs just a CLA, two words... Youxin Ye.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

If it needs just a CLA, two words... Youxin Ye.

Yes, Youxin should take care of you for under $100 with shipping. Of course, you might need more work done. My bill from Youxin last month was $330 for my virgin DS, but I opted for a new frame mask (I had a LOT of fungus) and pressure plate (mine was cracked) and a recovering. It is unbeLIEVable now...smells and feels so good, compared to what it was.

 

[Joerg]

You may try Youxin Ye.
He just did an CLA and some other work on my otherwise working beater M3 for way less money.

I had a CLA of my "broken" IIIc done by a very respected repair person/facility
for ballpark the quoted amount. It was very worth it, but for a working camera maybe not necessary.
Ciao

Joerg

 

[dadsm3]

Ron, pay. You won't regret it. It'll come back like a new camera....
I paid $350 to Kindermann's in Toronto, and it came back with smooth single stroke, bright and clear VF (and bright RF patch), and a whispering shutter. Mine was my dad's and hadn't had some TLC for 20 years....#747XXX. I love the DS, and the only reason I had it converted was I was worried about double-stroking my later M3 and M6, otherwise I would have left it alone.
Of course, I've been married so long the WAF doesn't really come into play....I just hide the transactions. She's already ripped me off for way more money than I can even aspire to.

 

[sirius]

She's already ripped me off for way more money than I can even aspire to.

HA ha! ha!!

 

[Keith]

Youxin charged me $100.00 to CLA an M2 and even did a couple of little things I didn't expect ... repaired some missing vulcanite!

I think sometimes Youxin's price structure deters people who expect to pay more and are worried about the quality. My M2 arrived pefectly packed from the US in about four days from being sent and is an absolute pleasure to use.

I'm about to send him two more cameras! 🙂

 

[Krosya]

Where to send my M?

Where to send my M?

How do you get in touch with Youxin? Does he do M6's patch flare fix? - I figure if I'd send him my M6 for a CLA - that may be a good time to do this too.
Does he charge the same for CLA M3 vs M6, assuming they are working fine, just it's time for CLA?
I was thinking to send to DAG, as he was pretty much the only person I have heard of for this, but if Youxin is as good and cheaper/faster - why not?
Any suggestions?

 

[Robert Price]

OK, I got a quote of $290 plus shipping from a 'respected Leica repair facility' known to all here for my old beater Leica M3 (serial number 743505). I don't think $290 is too expensive but I will need a little help from this board for WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) of this repair. The M3 appears to be working OK now but it hasn't had a CLA since 1978 and I think that some TLC now will do me and the camera some good.

Any other good points that the little lady needs to know about the necessity for a CLA?

Thanks in advance.

Just don't tell her, and when she ask's (if she ask's) Just say "didn't I tell you?" "I could of sworn I did?!"

 

[Pablito]

He does not work on M6, from what I understand

 

[Keith]

He does not work on M6, from what I understand

Only meterless cameras apparently ..... !

 

[Ororaro]

Where is Youxin and how to contact him, please?

 

[EmilGil]

Where is Youxin and how to contact him, please?

I think he lives in Boston. Mail him at wye7 (at) yahoo dot com, he's usually pretty quick to answer mail.