CLA prices for M cameras?

[cp_ste.croix]

I did a search but couldn't find anything on here about CLA prices for leicas...sorry if this is one of those ad nauseum questions...

i'm slowly (really, really slowly) gearing up for an 'm' and was wondering what a CLA might cost (or thereabouts) for the various M's? My cameras of choice (in ascending order) would be an M3, M4-2, M4-P, M6 classic...

would a CLA turn that great deal into a nightmare price?

cheers,

 

[peter_n]

Never had a CLA but I understand DAG (Don Goldberg) charges around US$250 or so. DAG is one of the leading independents here in the US. I think its Kinderman (sp?) who's really good in Canada.

 

[Doug]

Chris, I'm sure the cost varies from shop to shop, and the "famous names" shops can charge more. I have used a well-reputed shop in Seattle as well as a small but experienced shop closer by. Here are some repair notes for work on my M2 with prices...

3/8/1982 Repair invoice (from local shop) for $132 (may also include replacing leather bellows on Pentax Bellows II unit) to check shutter and rangefinder... results were to repair shutter, calibrate speeds, adjust RF, clean and lube. Chart shows shutter speeds very accurate, diverging to .2 stop over at 1/30 & 1/60, and .2 stop under at 1/1000.

4/26/01 Took it to (big Seattle shop), shutter speeds and rangefinder checked fine, but they noted occasional squeak sound during shutter movement. Might need lube, but that’s a $200 job.

7/18/2003: (Local shop) did clean/lube/adjust. Found that the second shutter curtain was dragging on the brake (probably source of the noted squeak sound), so getting a slow start resulting in "inconsistent" exposure across the horizontal field; that is one side getting more exposure than the other, to the point of almost no exposure to one side at 1/1000. He put in new shutter brakes, as these do detriorate, and lubed the mechanism. The shutter now is running well, just a tad fast for a 0.1-stop underexposure, and oddly, the 1/60 speed is outside this by being 0.3-stop slow, about the same as the 1/50 x-sync speed. He also mentioned the neck-strap lugs were getting loose, so fixed those too. $193.14

 

[Nikon Bob]

Chris

You can email Kindermann or phone Gerry Smith for a quote, sorry I don't have a link handy. If you have nothing major wrong and just need a CLA I would ball park it at $300 Canadian exclusive of shipping for them to do it. If I recall correctly that was the quote they gave me but it is best to ask directly. The one thing in their favour, besides their good reputation, is that you have no trans border shipping. No not cheap but not nightmare territory. Lots of luck and why not add an M4 to your short list.

Bob

 

[JohnM]

I recently bought an M3 that was CLA'd by DAG in January of this year. The invoice, which the previous owner gave me for my records, listed the CLA at $275.

 

[ray_g]

Chris,

I'm getting ready to send my M3 in for a CLA and have done a bit of canvassing. DAG is about $250 or so. Sherry charges $195 for labor + whatever parts are needed. Focal Point's estimate is $195. That should give you a good ballpark idea.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

Thanks everyone...

I just wanted a ballpark to help with bidding on cameras that may have slow speed problems or the like...

I really appreciate all the answers!