Leica repair in Los Angeles area

[Kyle]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a reputable Leica tech in LA or anywhere else in Southern California (I'm in Riverside so getting to LA, OC, San Diego, etc isn't much of a problem for me). The vertical alignment on my M3 is slightly off and I want to get it fixed before I leave next week on a roadtrip to Florida. Obviously I don't have time to send it to Dag or anyone else so I need someone local who can take it in and do it in a day or two. I know I can probably find someone through Google, but I'm hoping to hear some direct experiences from people.

Or is there an easy way for me to fix this myself? I vaguely remember reading that it can be a simple DIY repair, but I'm not sure.

Thanks!

 

[maddoc]

The vertical alignment setting is hidden behind that small screw next to the frame line illumination window but I have no idea how easy it is to adjust. As I remember the last M3 I bought from a member here at RFF had been serviced before by Steve's camera repair somewhere in California but I don't have the receipt right now ...

 

[peter_n]

Yes as Doug states above call Steve Choi at 310-397-0072.

 

[Kyle]

I emailed Steve and he wants $150 to do the alignment! 😱

Is this the standard rate for this service? Anyone have any info on a DIY fix for the alignment?

 

[Kyle]

sounds like they quoted you the price of a CLA.
I use Steve often, he performs excellent service with good turn around time.
here's a do it yourself procedure. If you screw it up you can always send it to Steve 😀

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/lrc/rM3/r_adjust1.html

I thought the same thing. Doesn't Dag and Sherry offer a "half CLA" for a similar price? In any event, I made it very clear what the issue was so I think his prices are just high.

I will attempt the adjustment myself. Or I might live with it, it's just the vertical alignment and it's very slight.

 

[Belle]

I go to Steve's all the time. Highly recommended!

 

[edhohoho]

Nothing is cheap in LA, especially if you want something done by an experienced and qualified person. Steve is the type who will fix or clean things he sees in the course of a rangefinder adjustment, so it is almost like a full CLA unless, perhaps, if you specifically tell him not to do anything else. And in the case of the R-D1, he takes the cover off, adjusts the rangefinder, glues the adjustment screws, then makes final microadjustments as necessary before reassembling the camera. This takes time, hence the cost. And since you are essentially local, he stands by his work so you can bring it in again for minor adjustments without any additional cost (usually).

 

[kxl]

You can also try Mike at Camera Tech in Anaheim, just east of Ball and Harbor.


1347 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 535-0993

 

[BillBingham2]

But he's on the other coast (read many many moons away).

Everything I've ever done in LA cost twice as much as most other places except NYC and Paris, then it's a bargain!

B2 (;->

 

[peter_n]

Youxin and Don work out of their homes so they have no overhead, in addition Youxin's fees are very low. Steve's Camera is a commercial operation in an expensive city. So its not surprising Steve's fees are a bit higher.

I've used both, Youxin repaired a body and Steve CLA'd a lens and both did very good work and I would happily use both again. I'll be sending another lens to Steve next week.

 

[pphuang]

$150.00 to align the rangefinder ... if that's right it's outrageous! It can't be right ... Youxin charges around $120.00 to $150.00 from memory for a full CLA.

It is what it is. And from what I gather, he does a lot more than just align the rangefinder once he has your camera apart. You have to decide for yourself whether the work is worth the price. And at least for me, that includes the business aspects of the transaction, as well as the quality of the work.

If you think that he charges too much, then don't use him. 😀 If he is overpricing his services, then he will eventually go out of business.

I've tried many people over the years, but I keep coming back to Steve.

 

[kxl]

Last July, I called Steve to get a quote to fix my R-D1S RF alignment. He also quoted $150.

I sent it to him because I wanted to send it to someone who was local. I live very close to where Kyle lives, in the Inland Empire.

Steve did the job, and shipped the R-D1S to me in less than 10 days. This is what the invoice states:

"Adjust RF Focsus and Clean ccd"
"General clean and Check all functions"

Steve did a great job, and my R-D1S is working as it should.

 

[Kyle]

It seems I've opened a can of worms. I don't doubt that Steve does great work and quality isn't cheap. However, I'm still a poor college student with a tight budget and with my trip I'm taking next week my budget is stretched even tighter still. I was just taken aback by the price because I know from previous experience that Dag and Sherry Krauter, both very reputable and experience techs, charge about half of that price for an RF adjust.

I was not knocking Steve or his business, I was just surprised

 

[RdEoSg]

I've used Steve and have no complaints other than he can be a bit slow at times when he gets backed up. He does a great job though.

I sent my M6 in for a rangefinder upgrade and to be checked out because it was scratching film. He overhauled the advance system, CLAed everything and then when it came time for the rangefinder upgrade, Leica NY messed the whole thing up. First they shipped the wrong part, then they had to reorder from Germany and it took two months to get. Steve sent me the camera back completed minus the upgrade, then called me when the part was in. I mailed it back to him, and he did the rangefinder upgrade and charged me only for the part and had it to me in I think 2 days. I felt that was very nice of him considering a lot of companies would just chose to keep the camera for months and not send it back as opposed to having to reassemble and then disassemble a camera multiple times.

Keep in mind also that you said you wanted it turned around in a few days, if that is the case and you stated that to him, that might also bump the price up a bit.