Previously Serviced? M cameras

The right question is rather or not the camera currently needs to be serviced, not necessarily if it has been recently serviced! If an M camera is properly serviced and used frequently, a CLA can last 20 years or more.

IMHO, pretty much the best way to tell is to listen to the slow speeds below 15th of a second - they should sound sure and confident. Plus, the 'proper' sound at 15th of a second is a very unique "snap, tap tap tap".

If the show speeds drag or hang up, and all you hear at 15th of a second is a solid snap - the lubrication is dry and your camera needs a CLA.

Also check the shutter curtain for pin holes; this is more common than you think!
 
Huss said:
Yes, there is a dragged on mechanical sound. Guess you could call it tapping.
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The slow speeds below 15th of a second should sound sure and confident (you'll hear the "dragged on mechanical sound" after the shutter closes). The 'proper' sound at 15th of a second only has a very unique "snap, tap tap tap".
 
splitimageview said:
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.
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Which Leica techs have their own "L" seal?

I bought an M5 a few years ago with an intact "L" seal. No idea whether it might have been serviced by someone who had an "L" seal, or by Leica, although the seller said it had never been touched. However, it works just fine. Shutter speeds are good, finder is clear and bright.

So it would be interesting to know which techs have an "L" stamp.
 
There are not many Leica M repairmen anymore. Last year died Scherpenborg from Nijmegen. He worked for ODIN, the Dutch Leica importer, and was trained at Leitz in Wetzlar. Later he worked for himself. I've seen him often working.

He used to mark the cameras and lenses he repaired in a way that only he could see it.

Erik.
 
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