CLA in GB - ideas please

[jesse1dog]

Took the Ic out last night to just run through the shutter speeds. All OK until I got to 1/30 when the shutter behaved as if it was on the B setting. Couldn't believe it really because everything has been OK until now. Ran through several firings and got the shutter opening and closing sometimes and not others. Sounds as if I need a CLA I think!

I've heard of Oleg and the Luton outfit.
What other suggestions can you guys come up with?
What experiences of CLA work have you had?

I'm crossing my fingers that a Ic CLA won't break the bank - no slow speeds, no rangefinder, and no viewfinder.

I suppose I could do it myself but the old eyesight and hand coordination isn't what it used to be.😡

 

[Sandwick]

Jesse1dog,
I had a CLA done recently by Malcolm Taylor who lives near Leominster in Herefordshire. He CLA'd a Leica IIIa for me that I'd bought for very little but came with a number of problems - including wildly inaccurate shutter speeds, particularly the slow speeds. The full strip-down and CLA, recalibration of the speeds and replaement rangefinder mirror came to £200 (£25 for the mirror replacement). At the same time he overhauled a Jupiter 8 for me that had a loose optic in it - the lens was £20. His service was great and he's alovelu guy to deal with, real gentleman. He gets my recommnedation. His telephone number is: 01568-770542. He advertises periodically in the back of Amateur Photographer magazine. Search the forums here for his name, I'm sure he'll crop up a few times. Hope this helps.

 

[jesse1dog]

Useful reply

Useful reply

Jesse1dog,
I had a CLA done recently by Malcolm Taylor who lives near Leominster in Herefordshire. He CLA'd a Leica IIIa for me that I'd bought for very little but came with a number of problems - including wildly inaccurate shutter speeds, particularly the slow speeds. The full strip-down and CLA, recalibration of the speeds and replaement rangefinder mirror came to £200 (£25 for the mirror replacement). At the same time he overhauled a Jupiter 8 for me that had a loose optic in it - the lens was £20. His service was great and he's alovelu guy to deal with, real gentleman. He gets my recommnedation. His telephone number is: 01568-770542. He advertises periodically in the back of Amateur Photographer magazine. Search the forums here for his name, I'm sure he'll crop up a few times. Hope this helps.

I quite like the sound of this, thanks. The cost looks a tad high but Malcolm does seem to be a guy to talk to. Thought I would contact the Luton people as well to see how their repair list is going down. Their website does inspire a certain amount of confidence - a lot of test equipement anyway. I'm in no great hurry because I have a IIf to use, and a IIIa on the way!!

A Jupiter 8 service looks promising although 'Camera Mate' has a 'never been used' black one for 46 euros (plus P&P 18 euros !)

 

[Ash]

Jesse1dog, I may have to follow suit is the guy is any good 🙂

 

[jesse1dog]

Standard problem, or IIIC?

Standard problem, or IIIC?

Jesse1dog, I may have to follow suit is the guy is any good 🙂

Hi Ash

If I am making enquiries I might as well ask about your equipement at the same time. Might save you a phone call etc.
Thought I would trawl the web and see what was in AP on Tuesday: generally ask around in fact.

 

[Ash]

Hi Jesse1dog that'd be great. I'm looking for maybe a quick overhaul of the Standard, and a full rangefinder overhaul (new mirror etc) and once-over on the IIIc

 

[John Shriver]

You'll notice that a lot of the really valuable items in the latest WestLicht Photographica auctions (like Leica I/Model A with Anastigmat, serial number 201) are noted as having be cleaned by Malcom Taylor. That's a hell of a vote of confidence in him, having him clean cameras expected to fetch 10,000 to 30,000 Euros!

 

[Ash]

ok, definitely having him sort my cameras 😀

 

[fgianni]

Thought I would contact the Luton people as well to see how their repair list is going down.

I had an M4-P and an Ultron 28mm repaired by Peter at Leica Luton, the guy is really a pleasure to deal with and he did a very good job, shame about the waiting list, but since he is very good and the prices are right I guess it is to be expected.

 

[Goodyear]

Malcolm Taylor overhauled my M2 and an old Elmar-M for me (recoated the internal surfaces of the lens, too).

He is quite expensive, but quick and does good work, and is a very pleasant gent to deal with.

 

[jesse1dog]

Update

Update

Malcolm Taylor overhauled my M2 and an old Elmar-M for me (recoated the internal surfaces of the lens, too).

He is quite expensive, but quick and does good work, and is a very pleasant gent to deal with.

I rang Malcolm this afternoon. Seems there is a basic charge of £175 for a CLA on a LTM body. If its a Ic then it will be a bit less because there is no viewfinder or rangefinder to deal with - the bit less was unspecified. So for a IIIc it would be £175. If the curtains need replacing at the same time, then add on another £20. Bringing rangefinder up to brightness probably another £10. Although at this stage of the conversation I was doing bank balance calculations and might not have got the last bit quite right! And the time schedule? - 2 - 4 weeks. Also to the costs you have to add postage and packing both ways - Royal Mail Special Delivery recommended.

I have emailed two other concerns and wait their estimates.
Will post results.

 

[Ash]

Those prices sound excellent!