Lens Service

[sazerac]

I see a lot of comments about which repair person to send lenses (Sherry, Don, Youxin, etc.), but I rarely hear about people sending their equipment directly to Leica. Are these folks considerable less expensive than Leica? Is the turn around that much faster? I'm curious to hear about people's experiences as I have a lens that I'd like to get serviced since I feel the focusing is a bit stiff.

 

[ajramirez]

I've sent equipment to Leica NJ three times. The first time was a 50mm 2.8 Elmar M, for 6 bit coding. They had quoted $250, which I thought was a bit steep. However, when the lens came back they had adjusted the focusing action and cleaned the lens, which I did not expect, so I was satisfied with the service and cost. The next item was a Leica M9P, which had its sensor replaced under warranty at no cost. Both times, the turnaround service was reasonably prompt (within a month, if I recall correctly) and communication was excellent.

The third time, however, has me thinking. I just sent them my Leica M6TTL to replace a bent rewind crank, due to an impact. Other than the bent crank, it did not appear to have any additional damage. Yesterday, I received an estimate for the repair, which includes replacement of the first shutter curtain, alignment of the rangefinder, replacement of the vulcanite (not because it needed it, but because of the repair) and general CLA. The estimate is $690, which made me stop breathing for a second. I will probably go through with it because the camera is still worth more than the $690, but I am not happy about it.

Antonio

 

[pepeguitarra]

Warranty

Warranty

The good thing about Leica doing the job is that is warrantied for a year or so, and the item becomes like new (0 miles).

 

[airfrogusmc]

I would recommend International Camera Chicago and very fast turnaround times if you need it back quickly.

 

[Doug]

I have sent Leica stuff to DAG and also to Leica NJ. DAG and presumably other independents will perform the service you request, and perhaps anything else only if it's "in the way" of the other service. So I usually add some phrase like "... and anything else you feel it needs."

The Leica shop has Leica's reputation to uphold, and I think they thoroughly assess the item and their quote is based on bringing it to 100%. So they are not into repairing only what you request.

At least this is how it seems to me... 🙂

 

[ajramirez]

I have sent Leica stuff to DAG and also to Leica NJ. DAG and presumably other independents will perform the service you request, and perhaps anything else only if it's "in the way" of the other service. So I usually add some phrase like "... and anything else you feel it needs."

The Leica shop has Leica's reputation to uphold, and I think they thoroughly assess the item and their quote is based on bringing it to 100%. So they are not into repairing only what you request.

At least this is how it seems to me... 🙂

Certainly seems to be my case. I had no idea there was anything amiss with the shutter in my camera. However, it is a 14 year old camera which has never been serviced. Since cosmetically it is in mint condition, I think it is worth the $690 to bring it back to 100%.

Antonio

 

[Doug]

Another point... Leica has been around with limited mechanical variations for a long time, and it seems this makes it a standard thing in camera repair education. So any good local technician should be fully capable of suitable CLA work. That's been my experience anyway.

I bought a 9-year-old M2 button rewind in 1967 with unknown history. About 6 years later it went to a good local shop in Seattle for RF alignment. It got a CLA in Yakima WA in 1982. I took it to a different Seattle shop in 2001 for a squeak sound in the shutter and they said maybe needed lube, a $200 job, otherwise looked fine. Two years later I took it to my Yakima friend again and it got a CLA, noting that the second shutter curtain was dragging on the brake (probably source of the squeak sound), and put in new brakes. Total was about $180.

So the history shows a periodic need for adjustment and service for the machine, not too surprising, and my local guys did fine. Oh, and that reminds me when he was servicing my V.1 8-element 35mm Summicron in 2003 (purchased new in '67) the Yakima shop found that it had been assembled incorrectly at the factory! He set the helical to the next thread for accurate focus, but this seemed remarkable... Later when the lens went to DAG for 6-bit coding and a focus check he verified my local guy had been correct!

That's not to say a local tech couldn't be a poor tech, and the trick is to find out without excess damage! I'm not so happy with the second Seattle shop, which has a good rep, but they're far better than the incompetent butcher who set up in their old location after they'd relocated.

 

[Jerevan]

I can understand the reasoning that it is a nice bonus, if things work out fine, to be able to say that a camera or lens was "officially" serviced.

I have the impression Leica Solms is one of those places where you have to specify exactly want to you need done.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The last camera of mine to got to Leica in German was checked and I got a 4 or 5 page summary of the work proposed.

In a nutshell, some of it was this is U/S and must be replaced, some was this would easily and wisely be replaced whilst we have it and some of it was this needs adjusting. The estimate approached a thousand pounds...

And the estimate and return of the camera and lens without anything done cost me serious money too.

Regards, David

 

[Jerevan]

Yes, that is the thing I've discovered too over the years ... the "oh mann ..." moment. Then I grit my teeth and pay. 😀

 

[agoglanian]

Yeah I'm going through that right now. I sent in my 28mm Summicron because the front group had come loose. I got my quote yesterday in the mail, the quote was much higher than I anticipated as they included all the various services but I presume it would return fully refreshed / renewed.