p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
I have used Miles Whitehead in the past on my Nikon F4 and Olympus OM2n. He did a great job and had it back within 12 weeks. But I don't know whether he works on Leica cameras or not.
johnrt
Established
No.
Sent my M2 to him for a sticky shutter on slow speeds, came back with an uncalibrated rangefinder, bent rangefinder cam arm & shutter sticking fully open until you turned the speed dial to bulb on all slow speeds.
Returned to him and came back to me without any attempt to repair the damage he caused. Refunded. Repairs carried out by Miles Whitehead who lives just round the corner from me. Lesson learnt.
Black
Photographer.
Yes.
I think if you ask every customer of every camera repair guy, there'll be one or two disappointing experiences.
Personally had a very good experience with Pierro for a Contax T2 repair and would definitely go back to him.
He has good press and good reviews in general and is highly likely to be more affordable than the names listed above my initial post.
https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17845699693936221/?hl=en
https://www.ppprepairs.co.uk
johnrt
Established
Fair enough, and I hope you never have the experience with him that I had and he is able to repair whatever you send to him.
But, my experience was not good and to rub salt in to the wound, after causing physical damage to my camera and returning it with more issues than I sent it to him with (twice), accepting this and refunding me all my costs; he posted an image of my M2 on his Instagram claiming "another successful CLA". He removed the post when I pointed this out to him. If that doesn't leave a bad taste in the mouth, nothing will.
Caveat Emptor!
RedSwede
Member
Well, camera is packed to send to Camserve.
Although Cameraworks/Ellis/MalcolmT are undoubtedly highly skilled at Leica work, their reputation has driven lead times crazy, so one camera in this year long queue is enough for me.
I’m sure Aperture is very good, but I don’t think they are on the same level as those above, though they do offer amazing lead times.
I have a niggling suspicion that Caplan is outsourcing to Camserve. I haven’t found any negative reviews on Camserve, my email exchange with them is prompt and confidence inspiring, and the lead time/price favourable.
Will report back hopefully in about a month...
Although Cameraworks/Ellis/MalcolmT are undoubtedly highly skilled at Leica work, their reputation has driven lead times crazy, so one camera in this year long queue is enough for me.
I’m sure Aperture is very good, but I don’t think they are on the same level as those above, though they do offer amazing lead times.
I have a niggling suspicion that Caplan is outsourcing to Camserve. I haven’t found any negative reviews on Camserve, my email exchange with them is prompt and confidence inspiring, and the lead time/price favourable.
Will report back hopefully in about a month...
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Yes please! Hope all goes well and you are out shooting away soon.
travellingcello
Member
Fair enough, and I hope you never have the experience with him that I had and he is able to repair whatever you send to him.
But, my experience was not good and to rub salt in to the wound, after causing physical damage to my camera and returning it with more issues than I sent it to him with (twice), accepting this and refunding me all my costs; he posted an image of my M2 on his Instagram claiming "another successful CLA". He removed the post when I pointed this out to him. If that doesn't leave a bad taste in the mouth, nothing will.
Caveat Emptor!
I don't usually post, but unfortunately I also have had a bad experience with PPP repairs, I sent in my Zeiss Super Ikonta IV to him which had a shutter issue, and it came back with the front element loose and the front assembly bent.
He was very willing to refund the cost of the repair and the cost of the camera which I was relieved for but I don't buy that 'it got damaged in the post...' it was well packed, and besides its a folder, how do you damage the lens assembly without any sign of damage to the box or the front? His willingness to compensate and lack of visible damage to the camera and package leads me to believe that he botched the repair but that's just my theory.
johnrt
Established
I got the same "damaged in the post" excuse too, it didn't wash.
Pentudlian
Established
I, too, have used Newton Ellis several times, and have always been very ready to endorse them.
However, it must be at least 3 years since I sent them anything, and I'm staggered to read that they now have a 6 months turn-round time. I'd adopt D.O'K.'s view:above: their quality is reflected by their busyness.
However, it must be at least 3 years since I sent them anything, and I'm staggered to read that they now have a 6 months turn-round time. I'd adopt D.O'K.'s view:above: their quality is reflected by their busyness.
AlexBG
Well-known
I've just sent my M3 to Newton Ellis for CLA on the recommendations of this thread. Not bothered about how long it is away, just want it done properly.
Currently SLR hunting for a classic film camera to use while the M3 is away. Kidding myself that I will sell it once the M3 returns.
Currently SLR hunting for a classic film camera to use while the M3 is away. Kidding myself that I will sell it once the M3 returns.
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
You could try Don Goldberg ("DAG") in the "colonies" - his turnaround for a CLA is usually about four weeks. And he does do CLAs! No one else touches my cameras!
Right?! Whatever that means!
RedSwede
Member
Newton Ellis is a good choice if there is no timescale. I think for a pure CLA it would be my choice too. If you want more specialised mods/repairs PLUS CLA, then Cameraworks is probably the way.
Be very careful with this "stop gap" camera... This is how I ended up needing a more speedy CLA on an M4..
Otherwise, I would recommend either an Olympus OM1 (mechanical) or OM4(ti) (electronic) or Nikon FE(2) (electronic) or FM(2) (mechanical). All are compact solid cameras. I would personally avoid the F2/F3 as they're just big and heavy, and for a hobbyist the supposedly better build quality is wasted.
My choice is the FE2 - the extra speed of aperture priority particularly in tricky evening/night conditions is often very useful, and honestly the battery worry is not an issue. Nikon lenses are possibly higher priced than Olympus due to demand, but have a wider range available. Quality is on par for either. OM4(ti) has a potentially very sophisticated meter, but the Nikon's centre-weight, with a tiny amount of consideration, is almost never wrong.
Pinnacle would be the FM3a or OM3ti - which are mechanical/electronic hybrid masterpieces - but the FM3a is very expensive, and the OM3ti is Leica-expensive and hens-teeth rare
(The FM3a K-focussing screen is still available new and transforms an FE/FM for £35)
AlexBG
Well-known
There's a thread in the SLR section with all this in, I've really enjoyed everyones opinions and searching for a new camera as a stop gap. Keep kidding myself that I'll sell it when the M3 returns.
AlexBG
Well-known
Just spoke to Newton Ellis, £235 +Vat and carriage back for service, said it should be back in 10-12 weeks as they are super busy.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
Add 3 months and you won't be disappointed.
Apparently Ian had a fall from his bike and damaged his arm, so work is even more slow.
Varleyy
Newbie
I am thinking of sending my M2 to Camserve because the slow shutter speeds are off and it could probably do with a clean up and service anyway. How did it go in the end?
Sierra Club
Established
Same here, although I'm not M2/M3 elite, my old M4-2 could definitely use CLA.
I'm thinking of Cameraworks as they seem to be recommended by a lot of people.
Anyone here replaced their Leica's viewfinder glass with Schneider Kreuznach AR coated windows, Cameraworks seem to offer such option and I'm curious what are the results.
I'm thinking of Cameraworks as they seem to be recommended by a lot of people.
Anyone here replaced their Leica's viewfinder glass with Schneider Kreuznach AR coated windows, Cameraworks seem to offer such option and I'm curious what are the results.
RedSwede
Member
To follow up - sorry it took so long, a lot has been going on.
Camserve seem to have done an excellent job. It was somewhere around 4 weeks and £140 inc the VAT.
The camera feels great and sounds like it times OK. However, I messed up the first roll by not noting down the ISO I shot at, and then developing wrong. The exposure is consistent with my error though, so I think all is good! Just need to get out and use it more - I still end up with my 35RD to hand more often...
Camserve seem to have done an excellent job. It was somewhere around 4 weeks and £140 inc the VAT.
The camera feels great and sounds like it times OK. However, I messed up the first roll by not noting down the ISO I shot at, and then developing wrong. The exposure is consistent with my error though, so I think all is good! Just need to get out and use it more - I still end up with my 35RD to hand more often...
szekiat
Well-known
anyone knows if CRR luton is still operating? Peter did my M2 CLA back in 2004.... a lifetime ago.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Will van Maanen in The Netherlands is very good, but pricey. Cathy Kuiper is a very nice person. Will is OK too.
Here's their website: https://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/nl/
They quote prices, but without VAT, so ask for that in advance. Try to get the quoted price in advance by e-mail but always ask if VAT is included.
Their work is first class.
Erik.
Here's their website: https://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/nl/
They quote prices, but without VAT, so ask for that in advance. Try to get the quoted price in advance by e-mail but always ask if VAT is included.
Their work is first class.
Erik.