Huge difference in CLA Costs

[dd786]

Well thanks All for the opinions. I have decided on one UK repair Technitian and will report back. I have sent him my IIIf which isnt in great shape so we will see.

 

[dd786]

I think this is probably true. I've heard negative opinions about most, if not all, of the Leica 'specialists' who are regularly discussed here. The IIIc I bought from the classifieds here had allegedly been recently CLA'd by one of the top US based Leica repairers before I bought it but was in a dire state when I got my hands on it. I suspect that the secret is to find a repairer and establish a relationship with them and take it from there. And use the camera reasonably regularly.

This is a fair point. I have also read negative comments about all the UK technicians except one. This particular one seems to have very similarly structured and glowing reports everywhere i am very skeptical about them - i wont name them but perhaps i am also a skeptic a little too much.

Anyway, i wont have enough cameras to develop a relationship with a particular repair technician however it is a nice thought! 😉

 

[David Hughes]

FWIW, I think people are more inclined to post negative reports than routine good ones. Especially, if one bad one appears the others all chime in and it looks really bad.

We ought to count them and then do an analysis but I don't think enough good ones appear to make it valid...

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

FWIW, I think people are more inclined to post negative reports than routine good ones.

Regards, David

Furthermore many of the 'reports' are not first hand.

 

[michaelwj]

My experience with Malcolm Taylor wasn’t positive... 2 cameras sent for overhall about 20 years ago... cost me a fortune...terrible customer service...both had to be returned...more than once... I wouldn’t recommend or ever use again!.. just my opinion though...

This was one of the main motivators for learning how to repair myself...

So he was exactly up to Leica spec in every way!
😀

 

[David Hughes]

...Anyway, i wont have enough cameras to develop a relationship with a particular repair technician however it is a nice thought! 😉

Hi,

You have a Leica and that is the start of it. I don't think there's anyone on this forum with just one (dozen)...

Regards, David

 

[Graybeard]

Hi All,

I am trying to figure this out.

What is the deal with the difference in the costs of a leica screw mount CLA in the UK.

Cameraworks UK charge about £143
Newton Ellis about the same
CRR was about £180 before he stopped
Malcolm Taylor wants £270

What do you think?

A camera in need of attention for a gummy shutter and/or a dim dusty viewfinder and/or a faulty rangefinder mirror doesn't necessarily require complete disassembly and rebuilding to be restored to fully acceptable operating condition ("good working order").

Many competent shops can restore an ailing camera to fully useful/useable condition without tearing the thing down completely. Pay for only what you need.