Previously Serviced? M cameras

Derek Leath

Derek Leath

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Hello all.

I just purchased a nice M2, and it got me wondering if there is a way to tell if it has been service recently?
I know when I get one of my vintage watches serviced, the watch makers leave a mark on the inside of the case.

cheers
 
no real way to verify. Some established techs will have a special unique wax seal, some don’t use a seal or just use plain wax, some will use a replica ‘L’ seal.
 
Derek Leath said:
Hello all.

I just purchased a nice M2, and it got me wondering if there is a way to tell if it has been service recently?
I know when I get one of my vintage watches serviced, the watch makers leave a mark on the inside of the case.

cheers
Click to expand...


As David points out, the only definite way is to see a receipt for the service. If a seller claims a CLA but can't provide a receipt, you could possibly contact the repair tech and ask if they have worked on that camera (they should have serial numbers on record).


Many repair techs have the unique wax seal mentioned above, but that will only tell you that they serviced the camera, not when they serviced the camera.


FYI, I got my M2 back from the authorised Leica repair centre in Aus, and it has a 'L' seal.
 
Derek Leath said:
Hello all.

I just purchased a nice M2, and it got me wondering if there is a way to tell if it has been service recently?
I know when I get one of my vintage watches serviced, the watch makers leave a mark on the inside of the case.

cheers
Click to expand...


The M2 is over 50 years old, so even if the seal has been replaced it could have been serviced 30 years ago.
 
What's the point in knowing that?

It could be serviced yesterday and still not working properly. Or 20 years ago and still be good. What am I missing?
 
It matters little, if it works properly it doesn't need 'servicing' if it doesn't work properly it does.

I'm of the opinion that much of this so called 'servicing' or 'CLAing' does more harm than good.
 
Well, I can understand why someone would ask this type of question. My first M2 purchase I was lied to, and was told it was CLA'd three months prior. Me never having held a M2 and not knowing what a serviced M2 felt like I believed the person.

Turns out the camera was not CLA'd at all. After I got the camera back from when I sent it to get it CLA'd, the difference was night and day as it was way smoother to advance and much quieter from when I originally got it.

So, I can see why someone would ask this question, but unfortunately I don't think there's a way to tell or be sure that a camera has been serviced or not, besides knowing how that particular camera feel and sounds when it has been serviced.
 
My M3 bought brand new in 1967, arrived with parts missing.
The rangefinder was not operative, first repair immediately!
Yes! 3 Three signatures of "Quality Control".
Don't fret if camera body or lens serviced, they are old!
I still have 'ziggy' now 52 years in service, mostly pro work..
 
Thanks for all the great replies. The M seal is broken on my M2 and it has been re-skinned.
everything seems OK, and I have a roll of film in it for testing.
I guess I'll shoot it for now, then make a decision on who to send it to for CLA just to make sure.

Cheers
 
Your avatar displays a vehicle that will give years and years of reliable service virtually untouched. When it finally has to go into a garage it may need to go back again to get niggles sorted.

It is much the same with an old mechanical Leica.
 
Dralowid said:
Your avatar displays a vehicle that will give years and years of reliable service virtually untouched. When it finally has to go into a garage it may need to go back again to get niggles sorted.

It is much the same with an old mechanical Leica.
Click to expand...


In fairness to the sellers; a lot of these long term users just don't notice things fading and so sell them as VGC and the next owner gets a shock and the seller gets a poor reputation. Get a complete check done on something like (for example) a Leica, for just what you think is a minor problem, and you'll be amazed at the list of faults and the vast improvement when you get it back.


Regards, David


PS One difference between LR's and Leicas is that the mud doesn't hold them together and stop the rust.
 
Dralowid said:
Your avatar displays a vehicle that will give years and years of reliable service virtually untouched. When it finally has to go into a garage it may need to go back again to get niggles sorted.

It is much the same with an old mechanical Leica.
Click to expand...


Hmmm I suspect there aren't many unserviced Series 3 Land Rovers (forgive me if I've got my Series mixed up) happily driving today...
 
There is also this to consider. "Serviced" and "CLA" can be very loose terms, and often applied inaccurately.
I've sent my M4-2 to Youxin to have a specific issue sorted out. That cost only $125 and returned the camera to full use. But I would not term that a true 'CLA', just serviced to resolve a specific problem. The balance of the mechanics on the camera were operating within nominal limits.
 
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