Good service from Leica NJ

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Just got a surprising bit of good news--Dave Elwell from Leica Service wrote to me to tell me my M8 will be shipped back to me on Monday--only three weeks after sending it to them for the red line problem. Their lead time is around 3 months right now, but I made a case for expediting the repair, since I just bought the camera from a dealer who told me it had come straight from Leica. To my surprise, they seem to have agreed. I didn't think I'd have my M8 back until May!

We'll see how the camera looks/works next week...I've had to order new griptac from Morgan, since they had to remove the old and wouldn't give me a free upgrade to vulcanite...

 

[chenzhaohy]

This is good luck.
My M8 just came back without being touched from Leica NJ. I waited 1 month, then was told that another month will be needed for the tech to check it. So I asked them to send it back.
The tech support in Leica NJ is not helpful at all. They do not answer questions, just say "send it here".
Mine is a newly bought demo with 1 year warranty left, which seems useless.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Why didn't you just let them fix it? I know it's a long time, but now you have a broken camera and you're back at square one. I was prepared to go without for quite a long time...

Solms seems to have a faster turnaround for most people, these days, you should send it to them.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've always had stellar results from Leica NJ. They can be busy, and can take some time but patience always pays off in stunning work.

I must also say Dave is great, as is everyone else I've spoken with there. They're easier to get on the phone than anyone at Nikon that's for sure.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I asked Dave what had been repaired, and he said that yes, indeed they had replaced the sensor and serviced everything else to factory spec. In addition, I asked them NOT to apply the new covering, so they left the camera clean and bare for me, and included the uninstalled covering in case I ever want to use it. Really nice.

Proof's in the pudding, though; we'll see next week.

 

[fbf]

Dave is great to deal with. I have obtained many parts from him. One time he was away on vocation, I sent him an email requesting some odd parts (w/o knowing that he was away). He replied the next day and forwarded my request to a colleague of his. It doesn't get any better than that.

 

[ROOOO]

I had my dealer send my M8 back to fix the rangefinder and the vertical line issue. It went back to NJ last month. I'm hoping to have it back in about three weeks for a trip—my first to Europe in ten years. Any advice on how I might make this happen? I've tried emailing Colleen a couple times but haven't heard anything back from her. Thanks!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Try Dave? He's at dave.elwell@leicacamerausa.com

 

[whitecat]

Sent them a couple of bodies over the years. Terrible service.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Well, I just got my camera back, and it is in flawless working order. The sensor is replaced and the red line problem is gone. They even adjusted the rangefinder and shutter and recalibrated the meter. And though it doesn't say so on the service document, they granted my request to have the power switch tightened, too. This makes a huge difference--there's no way I'll accidentally change modes now. It's as tight as the one on my M7.

Still waiting on my new covering from Morgan. I am actually tempted to put on the supplied covering and sell the griptac later, because I'd like to take the camera on a trip tomorrow...but I'll be patient.

Kudos to Dave Elwell, he has been incredibly helpful.

 

[fbf]

You have to call them up. They are terrible at emails, except Dave I guess but it's good to talk to service dept ppl directly. YMMV. I would have to say this, I will only send digital bodies to leica NJ because there is no spare parts else where.

They quoted me $200 for adjusting a new lens. DAG did it in two days and charged me $50.