Earth to Sherry...

[ray*j*gun]

I also LOVED Essex.... really miss them! My one contact with SK was fast but she didnt correct the problem on my IIIc (k). I didn't follow up because the camera was too pristine to keep shipping back and forth so I lived with the issue until DAG was ready. Don fixed it and ID'ed an issue that she missed entirely that was peculiar to the K model.

Th OP's issue is unforgivable IMO and scary.

 

[Livesteamer]

Several years ago Sherry K. revived a petrified IIIc stepper I sent her. It took a while and I spoke to her on the phone a few times and I gather she does not like working on screw mount Leica's. Having said that, she has done wonderful work on several of my Leica's and their lenses. She is usually covered up with work so patience and politeness are helpful. I will send some more work her way soon but I don't think I would send her my screw mount Leica's. Joe

 

[kermaier]

Several years ago, Sherry overhauled a Summaron 35/2.8 and a 50/2 Rigid Summicron for me. She did a great job, reworking the Summaron several times until she was satisfied that the focus was perfectly smooth. She was fun to talk to in the phone, and responsive to email. A couple of months ago, however, I emailed to ask about servicing a lens, and got no reply. My guess is that she's either very busy, or moving toward retirement.

 

[Pioneer]

Seems that the cameras I really enjoy using are getting harder and harder to repair. Must be time to start learning what it takes to keep my stuff working.

 

[shadowfox]

Another resource for consideration if you're in US: Jim Richeson of Garland Camera, in Garland, TX.

He serviced a lot of cameras for me including an M3 and a Rolleiflex.

 

[dave lackey]

Well, Sherry did a fine job for me when I needed a Summicron R lens worked on and it was a fast turnaround. That was a couple of years ago and I think since then ...I have no idea.

 

[photomoof]

Seems that the cameras I really enjoy using are getting harder and harder to repair. Must be time to start learning what it takes to keep my stuff working.

Not as hard as you think, I taught myself to repair Nikon rangefinders, simply because I could not trust others not to scratch up black collectible ones.

There are lots of good books, and now an enormous amount of knowledge being shared on the internet. We had one member in the Nikon society who shared an amazing amount of info on repair. Our society has the back issues, and reprints.

Cameras are not difficult to repair, they are more like appliances or cars than watches.

 

[f16sunshine]

Not as hard as you think, I taught myself to repair Nikon rangefinders, simply because I could not trust others not to scratch up black collectible ones.

There are lots of good books, and now an enormous amount of knowledge being shared on the internet. We had one member in the Nikon society who shared an amazing amount of info on repair. Our society has the back issues, and reprints.

Cameras are not difficult to repair, they are more like appliances or cars than watches.

That's all true to a point.
Maintaining a camera is easy enough. Repairs are more sensitive.
An untrained eye can do a repair but fail to recognize another part that should also be replaced.
Mechanical items that are many parts making a whole can be quite reliant one part to the next.
Those parts are the real issue with repairs. Acces to them that is.
Doing so called CLA's... not nearly as tricky.
It's almost enjoyable and meditative.

I'm a carreer "maker" so these things come naturally (carpentry, earth/plant husbandry etc...).
Cameras are wonderfully engineered things to work on.
It's very satisfying when a repair works. Frustrating when it gets hung up on a tiny piece that is difficult to source.

 

[photomoof]

Those parts are the real issue with repairs. Access to them that is.
Doing so called CLA's... not nearly as tricky.
It's almost enjoyable and meditative.

I absolutely recommend against buying any camera that is likely to need replacement parts. Ditto any camera with fungus or any kind of water damage.

Just assume there are NO parts, for you, or for anyone offering to repair your camera. At this point there are few Leica repair parts before the M5 or so, except for some cloth shutters. There are no cloth shutters for Nikon RF to speak of, they have all be used up. Very few new titan shutters, but they are out there. And I would never waste a part on a beater.

As long as you stay away from rare cameras there are many almost mint cameras for sale at very reasonable prices. It is easy to find Nicca bodies for under $200 that are just dried out and need curtains at most. They are so simple to work on.

Shutter work does require building a shutter tester, and one must be most careful with older Japanese cameras which are full of lens mount shims. But many repairs can be made without disturbing shims. Shims are the greatest problem one will likely run into if you have no test equipment.

IMO that "bargain" camera is only a bargain if it can be used several years without repair.

 

[Ronald M]

Seems that the cameras I really enjoy using are getting harder and harder to repair. Must be time to start learning what it takes to keep my stuff working.

.

I want to wish you luck. Special testing equipment, special lubes, and sources for parts.

 

[Thud]

I knew Sherry back in the middle 1970's to about 1984's and she believes she is a legend in her Own mind.
She can get mean and totally forget about you and your stuff just because you said the wrong thing.
I know back then she sent work she didn't want to do to other repair people and charged high prices then.
I have known a lot of people who won't use her because of that. To this day.
Good Luck

 

[lewis44]

I guess I'm a Smooth Talker. Always had Good Results with Sherry. Also I always called around 9PM East Coast time (I'm in Calif.) or Later. She was at her best then and had some great conversations.

 

[f16sunshine]

I guess I'm a Smooth Talker. Always had Good Results with Sherry. Also I always called around 9PM East Coast time (I'm in Calif.) or Later. She was at her best then and had some great conversations.

Well that's what I thought until I called again and asked for an eta for completion. 😛

It's a tedious and lonely job with people constantly making demands and requests.
My primary job is similar in that way. I don't envy her a bit.
Still,... you gotta communicate and be nice.
In business you should not publish an email addy if you don't actually attend to it.
I've experienced that with other businesses over the years. It's a no win for anyone.

 

[segedi]

I think this is mostly a case of a repair person who isn't a business person. No business person would hold you hostage like this! I'd have her send it, on her dime, to another repairer.

 

[daveywaugh]

Unfortunately I had a 'no-so-great' experience with Sherry also. She is undoubtedly an excellent technician but I just found the experience to be negative... rude to be frank. There's no doubt we need these 'top level' Leica experts but I wish there was a way to distribute more of the knowledge. Thankfully forums like this help DIYers at least do the basic repairs. I've bought some tools and so the simple stuff at home... it's been a big learning curve but worth it IMO.

 

[zauhar]

She got my M3 repaired and back to me within three weeks, back in June.

On the one hand, sounds like it was not too difficult a job.

On the other hand, maybe she just likes me more than some of youse.

Randy

 

[CameraQuest]

Sherry is a truly excellent repair technician, providing generally great repairs and service.
That said there can be mis-steps, just like anyone else.
She has done excellent work for me, without problems, in a timely manner.

Stephen

 

[MCTuomey]

SK cla'd an M6 ttl last year for me. 3-4 week turnaround. Well priced. Great work. She's done a half dozen jobs for me over the last 4 years. No issues, I'm really pleased.

 

[Pablito]

Sherry is a truly excellent repair technician, providing generally great repairs and service.
That said there can be mis-steps, just like anyone else.
She has done excellent work for me, without problems, in a timely manner.

Stephen

Same here. Many times, and always 3 week or less turn around. But I don't doubt your story. I am all digital now, I only keep a couple of my old Leica film bodies for sentimental reasons.

 

[Pablito]

Problem with really good craftsmen (and seems, also women) is that they don't care about basic customer care program.....

Gotta love them sexist generalities...