Leica M camera repair in coming decades

[Ko.Fe.]

I have purchased M camera from RFF classified without known CLA, so was mine M4-2.
Most of classifields I have seen have statement what M has CLA done some time ago.
But RFF classifields are too tiny to represent and to be taken for statistics.
Tamarkin sells without knowing if CLA was done. So is ICE, only some will have it mentioned. eBay, most of the cameras sold without any knowledge about CLA, including RFF sponsor from Toronto.

Here is no unnecessary CLA, once you start to use M and don't have ten on them.
CLA or not, any M if in real use will worn out. Read M repair manual, "replace" is the common word. During film only era Leica had many services available across NA.

But who knows, I can't say anything for sure. Maybe it is time now then most are not using M and sending them for 250 CLA and putting them on sale for 900 right after it. 🙂

 

[Skiff]

I am quite relaxed concerning this topic.
Because:
1. Leica has explained at Photokina that the demand and their production of their Film models MP and M-A is increasing.
And their general commitment to long term service is in their "DNA", it is one of their major sales arguments. Therefore they will care for service.

2. With the sustainable film revival the market will increase. That means the demand for repairs and service will also increase. All camera repair people I know have told me that they have lots of work, the demand is increasing and they are getting more and more business from young film photographers.
That means the job as professional camera technician has a future.

3. In Europe young technicians are already entering the market and educate themselves in camera repair. That will happen in North America and Asia, too. The market is there.
Look at the project of "Camera Rescue" in Finland. They have built up a national camera repair center, put together all nationwide experienced camera repair experts and have connected them. They also educate and train young camera repair technicians. Recently they have hired a young electronic technician to extend their service into the electronics repair. And they sell the repaired cameras internationally.
I think their business model is a role model for other continents and countries.
https://camerarescue.org/
https://www.instagram.com/camerarescue/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCilJi2N-KtEi_gzvqNgnjFQ/videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=uQAqSQOK_gc

https://www.facebook.com/camerarescue.org

Concerning 'Camera Rescue' in Finland:
Just yesterday they have announced that they will hire 10 (!!) additional employees this spring. Both full-time specialists and trainees who then will be educated in camera repairs:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt8KMMhHObN/

These guys are excellent 🙂.

 

[DavidC]

The issues raised here are on target. I was recently in Taiwan looking for a camera repairman who is familiar with Barnacks. After asking around several camera shops that carried Leicas the most often heard comment was " so and so who was a great Leica repairman retired or has passed away". No one could point me in the direction of a professional repair person. Most suggested why not send the camera to Leica in Germany!!