ymc226
Well-known
I bought a new Leica 50 Lux ASPH based on numerous forum postings as to its great sharpness but could never get that snappy picture. I'm not a pixel peeper coming from film but even tripod mounted with a 1.4x eyepiece magnifier, the shots looked uncrisp. As such, I used my Lens Align (bought to check the first digital SLR I got) and found that it retro-focused significantly. As the lens was new, I drove to Leica NJ (an hour from work) and they confirmed that the lens was off. They "corrected" it within 3 weeks (quick service) but the pics still did not seem quite sharp although less retrofocus was seen.
BTW I brought my other Leica equipment (all bought new within 9 months) as I was not sure whether the camera or lens was off to Leica NJ and they confirmed that all were out of spec. Items included the camera - M9-P, and the following lenses - Summilux 21 ASPH and Summicron 35 ASPH. All lenses seemed extremely soft even at moderate apertures and distances, worse than what I remember my Nikon AIS lenses to perform on film. (I wrote about this at the LUF)
This past week, I visited my parents in Los Angeles and dropped off my Monochrom with Steve Choi (Steve's Camera Service Center) and he found both the RF and vertical alignment out of spec. I baby my cameras and lenses as do everything I own. Telling him, that I was in a hurry to use the camera to take family shots and in town for only 4 days, I dropped the camera off at 10am and he had it ready by 2:30 pm. My Summicron 28 ASPH which was sharp enough near wide open, had shots which are razor sharp after Steve worked on the MM.
Also, he took me back to his working area and double checked the Summilux 50 ASPH which Leica NJ supposedly corrected and showed me it didn't focus correctly at infinity. I left the lens there for 2 days and picked it up under 48 hours, checked it not only with his target but with real life shooting and the pictures are marvelously sharp. Now I know what all of the excitement is about.
I'm just distressed that after spending a premium on the lenses and cameras, they don't leave the Leica factory performing the way they should.
I'm now sending my other lenses (35 Summilux ASPH pre-FLE/bought new and 50 Noctilux f1/bought used) which don't perform well wide open with strong retrofocus on both the re-calibrated MM and M9-P to Steve. Not only does he do a great job, the turn-around is lightening quick.
BTW I brought my other Leica equipment (all bought new within 9 months) as I was not sure whether the camera or lens was off to Leica NJ and they confirmed that all were out of spec. Items included the camera - M9-P, and the following lenses - Summilux 21 ASPH and Summicron 35 ASPH. All lenses seemed extremely soft even at moderate apertures and distances, worse than what I remember my Nikon AIS lenses to perform on film. (I wrote about this at the LUF)
This past week, I visited my parents in Los Angeles and dropped off my Monochrom with Steve Choi (Steve's Camera Service Center) and he found both the RF and vertical alignment out of spec. I baby my cameras and lenses as do everything I own. Telling him, that I was in a hurry to use the camera to take family shots and in town for only 4 days, I dropped the camera off at 10am and he had it ready by 2:30 pm. My Summicron 28 ASPH which was sharp enough near wide open, had shots which are razor sharp after Steve worked on the MM.
Also, he took me back to his working area and double checked the Summilux 50 ASPH which Leica NJ supposedly corrected and showed me it didn't focus correctly at infinity. I left the lens there for 2 days and picked it up under 48 hours, checked it not only with his target but with real life shooting and the pictures are marvelously sharp. Now I know what all of the excitement is about.
I'm just distressed that after spending a premium on the lenses and cameras, they don't leave the Leica factory performing the way they should.
I'm now sending my other lenses (35 Summilux ASPH pre-FLE/bought new and 50 Noctilux f1/bought used) which don't perform well wide open with strong retrofocus on both the re-calibrated MM and M9-P to Steve. Not only does he do a great job, the turn-around is lightening quick.
Iestrada
Well-known
Steve is an excellent technician. He provided similar service on a CLA when in town for a few days. His usual return time is two weeks. It is an excellent turn around for someone so busy.
Rico
Well-known
Thanks for the tip! Steve is well known around RFF, but I sometimes forget all these repair resources. Need a CLA for my 'lux 50 v2, 'cron 35 v4 and Elmar RS 50 LTM.
Gumby
Veteran
Steve's the greatest. He's my "go to" guy for camera repairs. His son is quite terrific also!
raid
Dad Photographer
Could someone post his contact info?
Thanks.
Thanks.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
RF4Fun
Newbie
Steve & Bill at Steve's Camera brought my Mamiya 6 back from the dead.
pkreyenhop
Established
I thought that he is married...
peter_n
Veteran
Steve is great: accurate estimates, good communication, reasonably quick turnaround time. His work is of the highest quality too!