M7 electronics repair costs ?

[alexz]

Just trying to estimate the cost of potential repair of M7 electronics, such as DX-related issues, electronics shutter control or replacement of entire circuit board....
Obviously, when out of warranty coverage....
So, from your experience, excluding S&H, how much Solms charge today ?

 

[peter_n]

Pretty impossible to estimate. From posts on the LUF anywhere from 200-400EUR to north of that depending on the complexity of the issue. You really have to send the cam to Germany and get an estimate for your particular problem. I've only sent warranty work to Solms so I have no personal experience of their costs, but I can tell you that in my experience they do a very thorough job.

 

[kshapero]

If it is out of warranty there are some good repair shops around, but I do not know about in Israel.

 

[peter_n]

I think many of the independent technicians won't work on M7 electronics. Steve Choi is an exception, he's a pretty renowned Epson RD-1 tech so he may also be able to work on M7s. But I think the DAG types defer to Leica when it comes to electronics.

Sad really, but mirrored in other industries too. For 20+ years I'd been taking my cars to an independent service shop near where I live, then years ago cars went electronic. My current is essentially a computer on wheels with a LAN, firmware updates downloaded from Sweden, etc, etc. I have to take it to the dealer to get it serviced now.

 

[alexz]

Thanks, understood.

 

[Steve Ash]

I recommend to directly sent it to Solms. The advantage is that Leica will do a complete check of the camera and it will be returned with a full one year guarantee. Thus it will be like new when it returns.

Regards
Steve

 

[Beemermark]

Has anyone had an M7 repaired (needing repair) out of warranty?

 

[alexz]

Thanks guys.
I'm on the corner seriously considering acquiring a used M7 that I with on kind of test drive now. So far apparently performs flawlessly, (albeit have yet to check all the functionality), but just to get a rough ballpark of the costs involved should I need the repair in the future...

 

[Beemermark]

Thanks guys.
I'm on the corner seriously considering acquiring a used M7 that I with on kind of test drive now. So far apparently performs flawlessly, (albeit have yet to check all the functionality), but just to get a rough ballpark of the costs involved should I need the repair in the future...

I'm asking because I'm curious how many on the group have had issues with their M7 once out of warranty. I have two and love them. I've sent them back to Solms to have the film reader upgrade and the only cost to me was shipping to Leitz in New Jersey, USA. Even though one of the M7's was bought used Leica did a complete CLA and replacement of the film reader and charged me zero. I also got the impression that repair work by Leitz in the US was minimal and all M7's had to go back to Solms.

 

[sepiareverb]

I know that in July or August someone in repair at Leica NJ retired, my MP had to go to Solms as there was nobody in NJ to work on it.

I've not sent an M7 in for work, and I work mine hard.

 

[peter_n]

I'm asking because I'm curious how many on the group have had issues with their M7 once out of warranty. I have two and love them. I've sent them back to Solms to have the film reader upgrade and the only cost to me was shipping to Leitz in New Jersey, USA. Even though one of the M7's was bought used Leica did a complete CLA and replacement of the film reader and charged me zero. I also got the impression that repair work by Leitz in the US was minimal and all M7's had to go back to Solms.

Leica NJ replaced a VF in one of my M7s but they sent the DX reader work to Solms. When mine was done Solms also gave it a CLA. They seem to have a fairly generous service policy and the US Passport is a terrific warranty. But if you have to pay it can get expensive quickly.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Stuff breaks. Owning expensive things that you can't afford to repair is probably not the best idea. 🙂

 

[alexz]

Well, thank you all for your inputs.
Just picked the first roll I burned through that 0.85 M7 (Superia 400) - it came beautifully, and that was utilizing DX and AE (with my minor corrections when necessary). Nearly all exposures (and most are indoors) cam out really fine, with just a few a stop under that rather due to my fault of fogetting to compensate properly the AE.
The camera proved to be useful in AE when needed, the shutter is suprisingly quieter then of my M6 and 50mm cron fits nicely with just optimum frames spacing around. In a few times trying deliberately to cath some flare in the finder, I wasn't able to achieve that (or perhaps these were not the most appropriate situations).
I'm all over it, made up my mind, called the seller and we are set.
I guess I can't go wrong for 1450 US$ for 2854xxxx nice user 0.85 M7...🙂
Now need to sell my M3 SS treated by Youxin to breathe a new life into her....

 

[peter_n]

Congrats, and a great price! 🙂