Leica LTM Crap, my IIIf needs a CLA

[Vickko]

Crap, my IIIf needs a CLA.

Youxin Ye is away, who is second-best, for CLA and shutter curtain replacement?

And, if possible, in Canada.

...Vick

 

[Rob-F]

I use John Maddox at L & J Camera repair in South Carolina, for all LTM work. John has rebuilt all three of my IIIc cameras, replacing the shutter curtains on two of them. I can post contact info if you would like. He's accessible by phone and email.

 

[Rob-F]

John may be contacted at:

LEICA1925@aol.com

 

[_goodtimez]

The second best could be yourself. Why does it need a CLA ?

 

[Rob-F]

Also consider Gerry Smith at Kindermann Canada, at Markham, Ontario.

Note that neither recommendation is "second best." Both are first-class.

 

[literiter]

Yes, Gerry Smith at Kindermann Canada, in Markham Ontario is very good. The man has many years of experience with Leicas and has to be ranked with the best.

 

[aad]

Indeed, what is wrong with it? Only one special tool needed to work on it to remove the rangefinder window ring.

 

[raid]

Eddy Smolov worked on my IIIf and also Canon IVsb.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Gerry Smith of Kindermann did my M4 about 5 or so ago and I was happy enough with his work that I later asked about doing an LTM that needed beam splitter replacement as well. At that time he did not do beam splitter replacements so I sent mine off to DAG and was also satisfied with his work.

Bob

 

[colyn]

The second best could be yourself.

Please do!!!!!!!!!

This is one of the ways I get used Leicas....

Inexperienced people attempt to fix it themselves and I buy it for cheap when it becomes too much for them to do....

 

[tonyj]

Gerry Smith is first class all the way. He did my M3 last year and I was kept fully informed of all that was required. Friendly, high quality service, including the return shipping from Eastern Canada to Western Canada. I would not hesitate to use Gerry again.

 

[Brian Legge]

I contacted Eddy Smolov about curtain work on 7/22. He said he wasn't taking camera at the moment due to health issues he's issues he is working on.

He recommended Jerry Sorin as an alternate.

 

[Vickko]

Thanks all.

Shutter sticks if I leave the camera on the shelf overnight. It takes a couple firings of the shutter to make it go. Then it is fine. Great if I shoot a whole roll in a day, but wastes a few frames if I don't shoot the whole roll in one go.

I could do it myself. The curtain replacement is a bit fiddly; it had pinholes and is sealed now, but just looks ugly. If I'm going to have it all apart, I'd replace the first curtain.

I was hoping for a economical repair, from someone I trusted. Unfortunately, the price of CLA and curtain replacement comes close to the value of the camera.

This one has a bit of sentimental value, because it is an ELC body.

...Vick

 

[raid]

Eddy Smolov may charge you less than $100.
You would need to call him first.

 

[pagpow]

Raid,

I thought Eddy was on "sabbatical" for health reasons. Is he back?

 

[johannielscom]

Jerry Sorin also handles Fedka repairs.

He repaired my 1941 FED-S and FED 50/2.0 Summar clone. They are as-new now.

Around USD 100 IIRC.

 

[raid]

So that's why I can't reach him!
Thanks for the info.
I hope that he is fine.

 

[VictorM.]

I was very unhappy with the work Kindermann did on my IIIf several years ago. They replaced the curtains and returned it to me with inconsistent shutter operation and non-functioning 1/500 and 1/1000 speeds. Although I paid an embarrassingly high price, they claimed they did the best they could with a 'worn out camera.'

A year later, I sent it to Oleg in Kiev, who fixed the problems Kindermann couldn't or wouldn't.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Why not treat those two issues (sticking shutter and ugly curtains) separately? If it were me, I'd get my tray and screwdrivers out, put a ballgame on, and take the shell off. Couple innings later, I should have the bottom gears cleaned and lubricated and/or have a better idea of the cause.

You say you've worked on it before so why not?

The curtain job is certainly another magnitude in terms of time or money invested. They're tight for the moment so I don't see why they need to be addressed at the same time.

 

[jn053]

Send a rare IIIf Midland to Oleg ? Not sure about this. If it's in decent condition, it deserves genuine Leitz curtains and a master tech.