Repairing times for film Leicas sent to Wetzlar

[luuca]

Hi, I'd like to share my last experience with this service.
On October 2023 I sent my BC M4 to have a CLA and some repairs to Leica in Wetzlar; yesterda I mailed Leica Italy to have some news and they promptly answered me the camera will be ready for October 2024!

I mean... one year... they said they have few available technicians and so many cameras; isn't it the moment to rethink about the film cameras service division?
If there is a lot of demand I imagine it would be normal to think about it.

In the past years I've never had problems, 2/3 month of waiting... what happened? Retired technicians? A rebirth of film cameras?

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... In the past years I've never had problems, 2/3 month of waiting... what happened? Retired technicians? A rebirth of film cameras?

Yes - both!

If you're in the USA there are few options - Don Goldberg ("DAG"), Red-Dot Camera Repair, YYE, Leica USA, and Camera Service Center (Steve Choy) - but turnaround times seem to be consistent at around four months. Leica USA is among the most expensive options and also rates high among those for long turnaround times (assuming they'll even accept your camera for repair).

 

[James Evidon]

Another big thumbs up for Don Goldberg at DAG.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Same experience 12 years ago with Leica USA, along with charges for repairs that I'm pretty sure were not needed, and nonexistent communication. I will never use them again.

 

[luuca]

Yes - both!

If you're in the USA there are few options - Don Goldberg ("DAG"), Red-Dot Camera Repair, YYE, Leica USA, and Camera Service Center (Steve Choy) - but turnaround times seem to be consistent at around four months. Leica USA is among the most expensive options and also rates high among those for long turnaround times (assuming they'll even accept your camera for repair).

I'm from Italy and I never found a REAL alternative to official assistance

 

[sebastel]

most of your waiting is done already.
my camera probably won't be ready before April next year ...

 

[Erik van Straten]

Same problems here with the repair of my MP black paint. The change of the frames in the viewfinder doesn't work anymore. The camera needs a full overhaul, but I can't find a repairman.

 

[Michael Markey]

Reading about the problems people are having with the M11 and SL3 the one thing which has emerged is sending stuff to Leica for repair is like entering a black hole.
I have a damaged SL2s (just a function button which I never use) and was discourage from sending it to Leica (the only option) because of the wait times and apparent lack of any communication.

 

[sebastel]

i can't complain about the communication - the estimated time for the repair/CLA was clearly stated beforehand. what helped in this case, was that i handed the camera in personally at the customer care service point in Wetzlar.

 

[luuca]

Leica Italy answers very quickly too.

 

[splitimageview]

My Q was quoted as three weeks and it took 9 months. This was including pressure from a major Leica dealer. Who knows how long it would have taken without that leverage.

Never again will I buy a digital Leica.

 

[raydm6]

There was a recent thread (motor drive repair) where Don was quoted as having about 250 Leicas in queue. 😳

Leitz New York motor repair

Hello to all, I need, please, your help! I proudly own a mint Leica M4-Mot since several years and 2 years ago I found the relevant mate namely the Leitz New York motor. Actually, it was "used" conditions and the paint was quite damaged. Dealing with electric functions it seemed that worked...

rangefinderforum.com

 

[luuca]

I must admit Leica Italy told me immediately that it would take long time (they originally told me 6/8 months)

oh well, I have other 3 film M bodies, I think I can resist 😬

 

[Dralowid]

I thought there was a man in Bologna who was a well respected and independent Leica expert.

I will try and remember his name but he may have retired by now.

 

[luuca]

thanks a lot

 

[Jonathan R]

thanks a lot

Luigi who makes Leica cases: he must know a repairer?

 

[Aristo]

Same problems here with the repair of my MP black paint. The change of the frames in the viewfinder doesn't work anymore. The camera needs a full overhaul, but I can't find a repairman.

@ Erik van Straten: As a Dutchman I'm sure you know Will van Manen and Kathy Kuiper from Kameraservice (kamera-service.info), they are one of the good places to go in Europe for all things regrading mechanical Leicas including M7, M6TTL, MP –– why don't you mention them?
Their turnaround time they announced to me was each around 3 months and both times I used their services – M7 repair (2020) and M2 full service/deep repair of broken curtain drum roller (2024) – they finished it faster than announced. They are real Pros and the european equivalent to DAG, Sherry Krauter, YYE etc.
Of course turnaround times depends on their respective schedule.
I wouldn't hesitate one second sending a Leica MP or an M4 to them for service. Highly recommended.

 

[Aristo]

one of the deepest repairs in a Leica they said, with the most disassembly/reassembly....(the whole unit above the roller had to be disassembled also...)

 

[luuca]

@ Erik van Straten: As a Dutchman I'm sure you know Will van Manen and Kathy Kuiper from Kameraservice (kamera-service.info), they are one of the good places to go in Europe for all things regrading mechanical Leicas including M7, M6TTL, MP –– why don't you mention them?
Their turnaround time they announced to me was each around 3 months and both times I used their services – M7 repair (2020) and M2 full service/deep repair of broken curtain drum roller (2024) – they finished it faster than announced. They are real Pros and the european equivalent to DAG, Sherry Krauter, YYE etc.
Of course turnaround times depends on their respective schedule.
I wouldn't hesitate one second sending a Leica MP or an M4 to them for service. Highly recommended.

good to know, even if it's not in Italy.
It's in Europe and that's enough!

 

[WoodallP]

I’m pretty sure Oleg does M’s and now he has moved to Slovakia the post can be trusted. I have only ever used him for Barnacks but the turn-around-time was about three weeks. However he is moving house at the moment and has signalled potential delays.

OKVintageCamera

Classic and vintage cameras sale and repair

www.okvintagecamera.com