Leica NJ turn-around time: anyone have recent experience with repairs?

[bobby_novatron]

Hi all,

Just a quick question. My M 240 needs a rangefinder alignment. Being in Canada, I have the option of sending it to Kindermann in Toronto, or to Leica NJ.

I have already spoken to both parties by phone -- the fellow in Toronto said he could do a 'basic' alignment but he lacks a collimator to do a factory-spec job.

Leica NJ said they'd happily take it but I'm wondering how long I would be without my camera.

Has anyone had recent experience with Leica NJ turn-around times? Are we talking a couple weeks or is it longer?

Thanks in advance for your input,
Robert

 

[airfrogusmc]

I have a lens in right now and I was told 7 to 8 weeks.

 

[bobby_novatron]

Thanks for the info, that's about what I expected. Glad to hear it first-hand. Repair time + shipping means at least 2 months. Darn.

 

[airfrogusmc]

Thanks for the info, that's about what I expected. Glad to hear it first-hand. Repair time + shipping means at least 2 months. Darn.

Yeah I know. We have a Canon CPS repair facility now so my Canons are usually within a couple of days.

 

[pbo]

I sent in an M7 for circuit board repair and a CLA. I didn't ask for CLA per se, but they said it was necessary and I didn't mind getting it.

Overall it took a bit over a month - dropped off the camera in the mail last day of March, got it back in my hands today. Roxana Lynch from customer service was great in sorting out the issues/providing updates/answering questions.

Edit - Forgot to mention estimate said 4-5 weeks turnaround, so it's pretty consistent with how it turned out

 

[bobby_novatron]

Yes, it's Roxana Lynch that I have been in contact with. Everything seems 100% professional on their end, it's just the turn-around / waiting time that is a bit painful.

 

[Pioneer]

Sent mt M9 in for the annual sensor cleaning along with my Summilux 50 just about the time the s*&t hit the fan about sensor corrosion. Took just shy of 2 months to get them both back. No sensor replacement needed. Previous visits were 3 weeks +/-, but I think those days are over for a little while anyway.

 

[MCTuomey]

About 7 weeks to replace sensor in my MM in Dec-Jan, nothing more currently serviced for me.

 

[coelacanth]

I've read a few times that Leica Wezlar did really quick turnaround (1-2 weeks?). I wonder if it's true for general servicing. If that's the case, it could be considered a "rush service" for the US residents considering the shipping cost, maybe? Anyone tried sending something to Germany for servicing?

 

[bobby_novatron]

coelacanth that's a good question. Any customers over here send things to Germany?

 

[uhoh7]

They are trying to get the time down, but it's a bit hit and miss. I sent in a M9 for new shutter this winter and had it back in about 6 weeks. But this after numerous mis communication episodes.

With your issue, I would explain in advance, sometimes they even send out loaners to shoot. Then I would call them the day after it arrives and continue till the estimate is approved. Then call once a week.

They will snail mail the estimates, and each person you talk with has a different story. After a month at NJ with full approval and a promise I would have the camera back already, I called to see where it is and Roxanna said: "oh it will be months, we don't have any sensors..." But it's a shutter: the sensor is OK! "oh, I will put you in line to be done in a month!" A week later the camera showed.

To be fair, Sony was never easy to deal with either.

 

[Jim Evidon]

I had my M9 converted to M9P and Leica New Jersey replaced the sensor without any issues raised. total time was under one month. It would have been three weeks but they had to wait for the new sensors to arrive. I now have a shiny good as new chrome M9P. Beautiful to look at and beautiful to shoot with.😀

 

[SolaresLarrave]

In 2007 I sent my M6TTL for a service and asked them to send it back a month after receipt. The deadline came and nothing happened. I called them, spoke with Tony (back then in customer service) and he worked his magic. The camera arrived some 3 days after I spoke to him.

My previous experience was always 4 to 6 weeks for the NJ folks to work on things and send them back.

 

[Rob-F]

I'd take it up to Kindermann Canada. They have a good reputation with Leicas. If it's for a horizontal alignment, it's not even very hard. I do my own, using a distant TV tower as my target. Collimator, schmollimator! That's for my film Leicas; I don't know if the M240 is more involved. Don't know why it would be, though. I just wouldn't send it to NJ or Germany without starting with what is available right in town!

 

[bobby_novatron]

I've had good experience with Kindermann, they worked magic on my Leica M7 when it needed attention. Quick turn-around as well, it wasn't more than a couple weeks.

FWIW I gave lots of thought of what to do about my M 240. The thought of having it sent off for potentially 2 months wasn't attractive, to say the least. I understand that Leica NJ is doing the best that they can but I still didn't like the idea of waiting that long.

I did some research on the internet (while keeping the idea of "don't believe everything you read on the internet" fresh in my mind) and found a way to do the required adjustment on my M 240 all by myself. It turned out to be a very simple job, something that surprised even myself.

For future reference, if anyone wishes to attempt the rangefinder alignment, the link to the thread on fredmiranda is here:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1316925

The infinity adjustment requires a 2mm hex wrench, and a bit of gentle experimentation on the mechanism to determine proper alignment. It seemed scary at first (I am not the handiest of people) but I completed the alignment in under 5 minutes. I'm quite happy with the results, and now there's no need for me to send off the body for adjustment.

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread and shared their info.