ghost
Well-known
what's the latest on this issue? factory repairs only in japan?
ampguy
Veteran
as of 3 weeks ago, yes
as of 3 weeks ago, yes
KM USA (NJ) officially has no support and recommends shutterbug repairman.
Friend of mine contacted KM Japan, and they still work on them, but price is unknown, and they don't speak English.
Have contacted about 30 repairfolks, mostly in N. Calif., and found about 3 that have worked on them before, mainly shutter contacts issue, but the key is parts availability and service manuals before they'd want to really delve into one at this point with KM/USA not supporting them.
Greg Weber is a great guy in the US, who may end up having some parts, check with him in a couple or few weeks. Ken Ruth, Sherry Krauter, and even a couple of the techs who've opened them before really think you should use it till it's dead, then get it serviced, since any tech can actually cause more damage checking it out or trying to fix a minor thing, and then not having a critical part trying to get it back together, at least in my situation where I have dirty or intermitting contacts on the "mf" button, but otherwise everything is perfect.
I'm probably going to send mine to KM Japan, since no one seems to want to buy it, then if it comes back perfect, decide whether to keep it or sell it, depending if I think I'll be using it much. The pictures and lens are great, better than any Leica photos I've seen. The whole auto everything is weird though, for me.
as of 3 weeks ago, yes
KM USA (NJ) officially has no support and recommends shutterbug repairman.
Friend of mine contacted KM Japan, and they still work on them, but price is unknown, and they don't speak English.
Have contacted about 30 repairfolks, mostly in N. Calif., and found about 3 that have worked on them before, mainly shutter contacts issue, but the key is parts availability and service manuals before they'd want to really delve into one at this point with KM/USA not supporting them.
Greg Weber is a great guy in the US, who may end up having some parts, check with him in a couple or few weeks. Ken Ruth, Sherry Krauter, and even a couple of the techs who've opened them before really think you should use it till it's dead, then get it serviced, since any tech can actually cause more damage checking it out or trying to fix a minor thing, and then not having a critical part trying to get it back together, at least in my situation where I have dirty or intermitting contacts on the "mf" button, but otherwise everything is perfect.
I'm probably going to send mine to KM Japan, since no one seems to want to buy it, then if it comes back perfect, decide whether to keep it or sell it, depending if I think I'll be using it much. The pictures and lens are great, better than any Leica photos I've seen. The whole auto everything is weird though, for me.
ghost said:
ghost
Well-known
thanks for that excellent write-up, ampguy.