Best M3 service suggestions...

[TJV]

Hey all,
I posted a while back about my M3 that has a pretty major light leak. I can't get it fixed here in NZ afterall and am wanting suggestions on who you guys trust with your gear. I think it will probably need a shutter replacement.
Do DAG do repairs?
Luton Leica seem to have trouble replying to emails.
Tim

 

[kully]

Peter at CRR is pretty busy at the moment, I received a reply from him last week two weeks after I sent him the original email.

However, he's a top bloke who sorted out my very knackered M2 and turned it into something gorgeous to use.

 

[TJV]

I've had a mate in England talk to him for me. By all accounts he is a real top guy. I might try and ring him tonight. I'm at the point where I wonder if it's worth it. I love that damn camera. To look at it and use it you would think that it had only a handful of rolls through it. Just the thing foggs film if I walk about without the cap on, even with slow film. I probably paid too much for it in the first place but I just love the large viewfinder. Nothing compares. I think he said it would cost 260 quid including postage to NZ. Does that sound right?

Tim

 

[kully]

I can't comment on the price, as he may have to spend a lot of time investigating where the light is coming in.

 

[mr_phillip]

If he's changing the shutter fabric and giving the thing a CLA then I'd say that's not a bad price at all, considering who's doing the work. Does the fogging effect the image evenly, or is it more pronounced in certain areas? Sounds a bit like the shutter fabric might have burned or worn thin.

If the camera's in good order otherwise, it's certainly worth doing. You'll end up with an M3 that (barring accidents) should last a few decades before needing looked at again.

 

[BillBingham2]

Don at DAG is world class, might be very busy though. I've used him, he is great, but it takes a long time.

Sherry at Golden Touch is another world class person, the best with M5s. I have not used her, yet.

I think they were starting a forum thread for repairs, but have not had a need to look.

IMHO, Don and Sherry are the best.

B2 (;->

 

[peter_n]

Youxin Ye. See this thread for comments on him:

http://tinyurl.com/28real

 

[TJV]

Just received an email back from DAG. Seems very reasonable and comprehensive. Think I may use them, especially since the exchange rate is great for me at the moment.

Anyone else have any opinions before I package the camera up?

 

[Xmas]

Please scan a length of fogged film including the perforations, indicate the frame number sequence in the post.

Noel

 

[peter_n]

What is DAG's turnaround time?

 

[TJV]

The time he quoted was four weeks, compared to Leica's "at least four months" reply I got yesterday. Leica also said that "old" cameras were hard to fix and wouldn't guarantee they'd fix the light leak!!! Another reason for my faith in Leica to drop... Maybe it would arrive back with the Nocti I ordered over four months ago...

 

[peter_n]

Well 4 weeks is good. I had three lenses and an M7 with him for 8 or 9 weeks last year and I was surprised how long those weeks were! Don is a perfectionist and I won't go into chapter and verse about what he did for me but the results were spectacular.

Your M3 couldn't be in better hands.