Question for anyone who's M has been serviced by the factory

[Pirate]

I havn't emailed the factory yet, but I will.

I would like to hear any opinions on the service of any M cameras from the factory in Solms itself, and what did it run price wise?

Thanks for any comments.

 

[Nugard]

Prices - high...
Time... I guess normal...
But, of course, it's worth it... If you want a true revelation of your camera...

 

[Beemermark]

It took about 6 weeks for me. Of course it was mailed to Leitz in NJ, USA and then on to Solms. 3 different cameras. They told me 6 weeks but when I think about it I don't think it was that long.

 

[sepiareverb]

I had a .72 VF replaced with a .58 about a year and a half ago, and just had an M7 worked on that was having DX woes. Both times the turnaround was very long- 4 months for the M7, which came back a few weeks ago. It did go from me to Leica NJ to Germany, back to NJ and back to me, but that only added a few days I'd guess. Four months seems a bit much for a repair.

 

[martin s]

Twice under warranty, took about 2-3 weeks each time. I obviously didn't pay anything. That's from Berlin to Solms back to Berlin by the way.

//EDIT: Probably makes sense to add what was wrong: once I lost the Display of my M8, the other time the orientation sensor didn't note the correct tilt anymore (images were - sporadically - flipped in all kinds of directions)

martin

 

[Erik van Straten]

Under warranty, via the Dutch importer, my MP went to the factory to have the dust removed from the viewfinder. 6 weeks later I got it back with a wrongly mounted rewind knob (wobbling) and a scratch on the black paint finish. The dust however was removed.

Erik.

 

[dh-photo]

Pricey.

I had my black MP have the cover changed to vulcanite. Hot shoe and shutter ring changed to black and also the .72 finder masked, so it only shows 35-50-90 frame-lines.

Price was about €550. Turn around time was 3-4 weeks.

Is it worth it? I don't think so. It came back to me all wrapped up in fancy bags and Leica dots here and there. New certification cards stating that this camera had been serviced to Leica quality specifications and is now as good as new. Everything would have been perfect had the new vulcanite covering not passed quality control with a tear in it.

So I get to send it back to Leica on my own account. The only thing they offered as compensation was that they would fix in one day. But Leica's one day fixing is as follows:

Day 1: Receive camera and take a look at it.
Day 2: Repair camera.
Day 3: Wrap it up all fancy again and state once more it lives up to Leica quality (sure, whatever...) and then send it back to me.

To be fair, they do do a good job. But not at those prices... YMMV

Best regards,
David

 

[ampguy]

I think most stuff sent to the factory, then gets resold asap by the owners. Yet another variation of "old maid" 😉

 

[Beemermark]

I think most stuff sent to the factory, then gets resold asap by the owners. Yet another variation of "old maid" 😉

That statement makes absolutely no sense!?

 

[maddoc]

I had my M7 serviced recently by Leica Germany in Solms. It had been sent to Leica Germany by Leica NJ for a warranty repair / service.

The camera had a jammed shutter last year and was repaired by Leica NJ but after that developed an irregular frame-spacing problem. To have this problem addressed, I had sent the camera a second time to Leica NJ who forwarded the camera to Leica in Solms. The camera came back after 3 and a half month with a lot of fancy bags, stickers and a certificate from Leica telling that the camera was serviced to work fully within specs (included one year warranty on the service work). I also received a sheet of vulcanite covering free of any charge to recover the camera myself because I had grip-tack installed prior to sending to Leica.

However, the problem of irregular frame spacing is still there ... :bang:

 

[Niko]

A few years ago i bought an M3 for quite cheap. After few months of use it showed signs of needing a CLA. I sent it to Leica with request for CLA and special request to make the viewfinder/rangefinder as good as possible and to ignore any cosmetic defects. Price included some new parts like filmplate, shutter curtains and bayonet, the parts cost about 250€ and the repairs about 550€. Price might seem ridiculous, but i´ve been happy with my M3 that functions like a new one, and looks like it´s seen a few thousand rolls of film (which i´m sure is true...).

As far as i know Leica doesn´t do light or heavy CLA´s. It´s always the same, and the parts that are in need of replacing are replaced. They do give options too, but that´s for some extras, like a different film advance lever or something. They also don´t give estimates for repair costs without seeing the camera first. They check it then send you an estimate about the costs and if you think the cost is too much they send the camera back to you.

Niko

 

[RichardB]

This Spring sent back to Leica NJ to Solms, two M7's for optical reader and viewfinder upgrades. Camera turn around was about 6 weeks. Camera under warranty no charge and CLA performed. Camera not under warranty, charge for viewfinder, CLA performed at no extra charge, One of the cameras had a slight lift of the covering at one spot since new but never bothered me, apparently bothered the tech because it was recovered, no charge.-Dick

 

[Steve Ash]

Cs

Cs

Sent your camera directly to Leica CS. Do not get your dealer involved as this is only waste of time. Attach a letter what you expect to be done or ask for possible upgrades and they will sent you an offer.

Regards
Steve

 

[peter_n]

I had an M7 sent to Solms under warranty last year and they did excellent work and returned it in 5 weeks.