alproc
Newbie
I TRIED STEVE'S CAMERA IN L.A. & CAN'T RECOMMEND THEM FOR VINTAGE LEICA—UNLESS YOU DON'T MIND WAITING MANY, MANY, MANY MONTHS.
I put a number of older Leicas & lenses in for repair at Steve's Camera Service in Los Angeles in 2009-10 - the main reason being they were recommended online and local—i.e. within driving distance.
The first group (bodies & lenses) took about 4 months, and all the work I'd requested was not done. So I had to hang around while things were "fixed".
The second batch, all lenses, I dropped off in March 2010, and finally—in desperation—I picked them up in August 2010. No work whatsoever had been done. All I received were excuses and pleas for "another two weeks". After nearly 6 months?
So, while Steve personally seems a nice, knowledgeable, low-key guy, I really cannot recommend Steve's Camera Service in Los Angleles for ANY vintage Leica work.
(In fact, I'm not at all sure about other camera repairs done there. While I was waiting, a woman came in to complain that the camera she had had serviced before going to Africa on a safari did not work when she got there. She could not photograph her trip! I felt so sorry for her.
The Steve's Camera response? "It's your responsibility to check the camera is working before you leave. We don't have time for that." I kid you not, this is what I heard.)
Anyone have any recommendations in the L.A., Orange County or San Diego area for vintage Leica serving and repair? I live in OC, so all the above are fairly reachable. I do prefer to support local businesses if I can.
I put a number of older Leicas & lenses in for repair at Steve's Camera Service in Los Angeles in 2009-10 - the main reason being they were recommended online and local—i.e. within driving distance.
The first group (bodies & lenses) took about 4 months, and all the work I'd requested was not done. So I had to hang around while things were "fixed".
The second batch, all lenses, I dropped off in March 2010, and finally—in desperation—I picked them up in August 2010. No work whatsoever had been done. All I received were excuses and pleas for "another two weeks". After nearly 6 months?
So, while Steve personally seems a nice, knowledgeable, low-key guy, I really cannot recommend Steve's Camera Service in Los Angleles for ANY vintage Leica work.
(In fact, I'm not at all sure about other camera repairs done there. While I was waiting, a woman came in to complain that the camera she had had serviced before going to Africa on a safari did not work when she got there. She could not photograph her trip! I felt so sorry for her.
The Steve's Camera response? "It's your responsibility to check the camera is working before you leave. We don't have time for that." I kid you not, this is what I heard.)
Anyone have any recommendations in the L.A., Orange County or San Diego area for vintage Leica serving and repair? I live in OC, so all the above are fairly reachable. I do prefer to support local businesses if I can.
Pablito
coco frío
This has become such a specialized service you are better sending the equipment off to one of the well known Leica techs. I use Sherry Krauter because she is both excellent AND quite fast compared to some of the other big names. I live within a few hours drive yet I send her the stuff.
kxl
Social Documentary
Give Mike a call at Camera Tech. He's not a Leica specialist (I think his background is with Zeiss Ikonta folders), but he's a good contact for classic camera repair. He's honest and dependable, and if he can't handle the job, he'll let you know.
1347 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 535-0993
1347 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 535-0993
Bill58
Native Texan
How about our sponsor--Cameraquest?
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Does he repair in-house or send off to someone? Anyone tried?
Bill58
Native Texan
I'm not sure--send him an email to find out.