Leicaflex SL2 repairs

C

CharlesDAMorgan

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My beloved Leicaflex SL2 has begun to play up. Just souped a roll and 3 frames are blank, and six are showing signs of shutter sticking at different speeds. Not that I plan to do anything about it now, other than put it back in the cupboard, but any recommendations for repairers with experience of repairing them properly from people who've had them done.

I'm uncertain now in the UK so prepared to send it to the US or Europe. Once I've sold a kidney.
 
In the USA, Sherry Krauter in upstate NY is the avowed expert for Leicaflex cameras. Indeed, she purchased all the spare parts from Leica USA, because they don't touch the cameras anymore.

As I recall, from what I read, and personal experience, the SL2 has that shutter problem that can result in blanks. Some techs claim it can be fixed, others say it can be only temporarily remedied. Anyway, good luck with it. The SL and SL2 are fine cameras. I shot a pair of SL's so much over a 6-7 year period, they started to smoke!
 
Charles,

Would it be cheaper to buy another SL/SL2
I am thinking shipping to & fro to US!, repair costs, why bother , Could be wrong

I remember speaking with Don /DAG camera about getting a Leica SLR and he said
think twice, parts are very hard to come by and that was seven years ago
 
There's a certain element of truth in that Helen - but mine is exquisite, and the cost of an Empire desk from Jacob Desmalter to display it to its fullest beauty as a paperweight would be a lot more!

leicaflexsl2-1-of-1.jpg
 
You can try and make contact with Peter Grissaffi at CRR Luton (by phone only) but I believe he has retired.
 
Yes, there's the problem. :)

DAG did a nice job on my SL2 a number of years ago (capping shutter and desilvering prism). But if Sherry Krauter has the parts then I'd go with her. Well worth fixing, I think.
 
Knowing the strength of these cameras a smart whack in the correct area with a lump hammer will put it right for another 50 years...I'm just not quite sure where to suggest you hit it!
 
I have often used Luton Camera Repairs:-

http://www.lutoncameras.co.uk/

No guarantee to this comment but as Leica used to have their office in Luton and then closed it down to move to Milton Keynes etc (but by then the service was from Solms) I wonder if ex-Leica staff are working there (LCR). I've taken stuff in to the Leica Luton office years ago and had it deal with whilst I waited so I know Leica people were there then but - as I said - this is just my guess.

Regards, David
 
The SL2 and R6 are the only all mechanical Leica SLR cameras. I have keep the SL2 after owning the rest because both DAG & Sherry assured me that they should be able to be repaired forever, barring any catastrophe like dropping off the 4th floor. Even repairing the meters shouldn't be a problem. I think yours just needs a good old CLA. Not sure how long you'll be in the UK but generally shipping UK to USA is a lot (whole lot) cheaper than USA to UK. (I often buy my BMW MC parts from Britain for the savings). Given repairs can be a rather long time frame it might be wise to send your camera to DAG.
 
DAG CLAed and replaced my brown spotted viewfinder SL MOT over a year ago for about $265. Love the camera, I will be sending my Standard soon.
 
That's really not at all bad (although the UK Lira is rather low on value at present).

I would dearly love to hear from someone in the UK with good experience of getting an SL2 repaired by someone still alive and in business (the latter would do at a pinch) here, but I'm not getting overwhelmed with recommendations!
 
I agree, it's far too nice to simply leave, get it fixed.
There must be someone in the Euro area who can/will do it.
Gary
 
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