Hama or DAG?

[the.ronin]

So I am giving serious consideration into sending in my CL to one of the often talked about specialists. But from reading the volumes of posts about these specialists it seems that the concept of "they work on their time" is a common one. Look, I get it. Supply and demand. There's literally less than a handful of experts so we are somewhat beholden to their whims. OK. But wow if any expert out there decided to lend some discipline to their process, I'd imagine they would basically corner the market.

Why isn't Sherry on here? Because when I called her, I felt like I was doing a marketing call to a grandma who was in the middle of performing a eulogy at a funeral. No joke, I never felt so intrusive ... as a customer.

DAG ... not much more of a charmer there. But at least he spent some time talking to me and explaining what to expect and what he could not do.

Hama ... king of the one liner emails. Feedback on him is about as hit or miss as anything can get. BUT he has the part I need. Only problem is with the one liner emails and phone number that basically should just be a voicemail number, I can't quite tell if he has the actual part or if he just has a method of fixing.

LOL. It's kind of funny if you think about it how we bend over backwards for these three wise men +1 woman. Again, I get it. Just hoping that a savvy tech gets it one day too and realizes s/he can completely corner this market what with such a low customer satisfaction hurdle.

Oh and Stephen / cameraquest evidently doesn't service Leicas anymore. I didn't even know he also owned this forum. But even with him, he didn't seem to open up until I made a comment that he agreed with and I'm guessing made him realize I'm no RF noob.

Advice appreciated.

 

[jamin-b]

I'd also like to get a CL serviced and I am realizing I'd better hurry up before the knowledge and parts are no longer available. My experience with Sherry K in the past was unfortunately dismal...

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[Steve M.]

I have pretty much tried them all with poor results (yes, even the vaunted Youxin Ye, Oleg, FEDKA, etc), and finally developed a simple 2 step avoidance strategy that works, and works every time. It has also saved me a ton of money, and more importantly, a lot of aggravation.

First, never buy a camera that I cannot fix myself. That pretty much limits me to old folders and assorted mostly mechanical cameras, but that's OK. I learned a lot, and w/ the right tools it is fun to repair these things. Having a background as a mechanic, machinist and tool and die maker helps, but honestly, those skills have never been needed. Most of the repair work is common sense stuff for anyone w/ any mechanical ability.

Second, if I can't fix it, it gets sold w/ an accurate description on eBay and I buy another camera w/ a good description (preferably film tested) from a good seller. That way the most I'm out is two way shipping if there's a problem, and I limit my purchases to the US where I live to keep shipping costs low.

A lot of people have this delusion that if you get an old camera CLA'd it will last "another 20 years, 30 years, whatever). No, it won't. It's still an old camera. Metal fatigues, lubricants wear off and migrate, mold develops, rubber deteriorates, etc. Or, you just plain drop the thing. Anyone that has ever had an old car quickly learns that pouring money into it is a never ending situation. You fix one thing, another thing breaks. Just replace it.

 

[the.ronin]

So far Don (DAG) has been the most approachable (or least snobbish - yes I used that word). I swallowed my pride and tried calling Sherry again just to see if she might sell me a part - "No" was the quick, abrupt response. Yea good luck with that one LOL.

I know I may seem to come off "ungrateful" but let's level set some expectations here shall we? These repairs are by no means cheap but honestly the service quality is as if it's being provided as charity.

Not to say that anyone getting into vintage film should expect anything else ... you'd just hope.

 

[the.ronin]

Thank you both for the responses. I am glad but always suspected I am not the only one to feel this way.

You feel almost ashamed after reading so many fanboy-ish posts about how great these folks are and that you must be patient and "work on their time." Hey, they are great - no denying. Otherwise, I wouldn't be posting about them. But gees, have some friggin courtesy.

I also do not doubt there are other very capable professional and even hobbyist technicians that may be as capable (or damn close) as these Big 3. I am hoping they come out of the woodwork because there is clearly a market here that is direly underserved.

 

[Huss]

In my experience Mark Hama is only good with Yashicamat TLRs.
He messed up my Zeiss Ikon Contessa and my Voigtlander Vitessa seemed untouched (RF still off, etc).

 

[f16sunshine]

Don has the know how and probably a better network to get parts.
If you really value the camera going forward, it's worth the wait.
Don does seem to be faster with lenses than with cameras.
You take some chances either way so choose the most reliable outcome.
I've read of Don being slow but I've not read of any outright fails from him. He would be my choice in your case.

 

[zeitoun]

I would very seriously consider Alan Starkie. I have had an incredibly good experience with him and my CL, both on personal and technical levels.

 

[the.ronin]

In my experience Mark Hama is only good with Yashicamat TLRs.
He messed up my Zeiss Ikon Contessa and my Voigtlander Vitessa seemed untouched (RF still off, etc).

Thank you Huss. He claims to have a CL prism but his one liner emails makes it hard to understand if he actually has the part or if he just has a method of cleaning up the patch. Even when asked specifically "do you have the part" ... LOL just wow.

Don has the know how and probably a better network to get parts.
If you really value the camera going forward, it's worth the wait.
Don does seem to be faster with lenses than with cameras.
You take some chances either way so choose the most reliable outcome.
I've read of Don being slow but I've not read of any outright fails from him. He would be my choice in your case.

Thank you f16 ... honestly, the speed isn't really the issue or even access to parts. It's just talking. Like in complete sentences. And not like I just stole your baby and want money from you LOL.

My personal sense too is that Don is the "least worst."

 

[the.ronin]

I would very seriously consider Alan Starkie. I have had an incredibly good experience with him and my CL, both on personal and technical levels.

Thank you zeitoun ... he is in the UK and I am in the US so that adds a layer of hassle but may be well worth it if he is good. I will send him an email.

Here is the website in case anyone else wants to look into him: https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/

[edit] I should add that I do know these repairs will be more than the cost of the camera. I'm ok with that. I've been searching for years for a go-to rangefinder and this CL is it. So I'm ok putting more into it than it's currently worth.

 

[Robert Lai]

You can try Gus Lazzari. He will tell you where you are in the waiting list.
He will listen to you, and give you responses in complete paragraphs with proper grammar.

Having said that, for Leica DAG usually has the parts.

 

[the.ronin]

You can try Gus Lazzari. He will tell you where you are in the waiting list.
He will listen to you, and give you responses in complete paragraphs with proper grammar.

Having said that, for Leica DAG usually has the parts.

Thank you Robert. I should have named this thread - who are Leica CL techs?

Gus's website suggests he is backlogged until next month but hey he has a real website (or real-er than most) and his phone number works!! Compared to others, so far ACES lolol.

I shot him an email and left a voicemail just to get to know him though.


[edit] Forgot to post Gus' website in case anyone is interested ... http://tlccamerarepair.homestead.com/ (love the mail lol)

 

[CameraQuest]

Oh and Stephen / cameraquest evidently doesn't service Leicas anymore. I didn't even know he also owned this forum. But even with him, he didn't seem to open up until I made a comment that he agreed with and I'm guessing made him realize I'm no RF noob.

Our Leica CL repair guy has retired and so we are not offering Leica CL repairs or CLA.

We do in fact service / repair all film Leicas except the CL and M5.

Another vote for DAG.

 

[Godfrey]

I've been doing business with Don Goldberg for at least thirty years. He's always done the job to my satisfaction, and if an issue came up in the course of doing the job, he's handled it quickly and efficiently. I have zero complaints about his service or his customer interactions.

G

 

[splitimageview]

DAG has a real website and a phone, also. 🙂

If it is between DAG or Hama, that's a no brainer.

I've sent things to Gus, no complaints whatsoever; I've sent a CL to Sherry (but won't ever again.)

I've also sent stuff to Starkie, but his specialty is paint and custom parts. He's developed his own replacement frameline mask for M2 for example, as well as he's testing a titanium shutter for Ms. He's got mad skillz but that's not really necessary for a CL.

 

[the.ronin]

Godfrey and splitimage, thanks for the feedback. I've got messages into to Gus and starkie as well.

Yea, honestly from her tone of voice, I don't think Sherry wants you to send her any Leica CL ever again LOL. At some point it just becomes comedy I swear.

I shot an email to Leica USA also sharing this post ... they are leaving money on the table.

 

[geetist]

Sherry sucks

 

[Chris101]

Tempe Camera Repair has fixed two cameras for me (one a Leica with a non-responsive shutter), they did it same day, and the cost was better than reasonable.

 

[the.ronin]

Thanks Chris ... this thread is becoming more of a "post your recommended tech" which is just fine!

 

[Beemermark]

In 40 or more years DAG has never let me done.

If you can't wait to get a Leica repaired correctly then don't buy them. The Leica CL has to be the most trouble prone camera ever built, I'm at a loss why people buy them.