Jocko
Off With The Pixies
There's a strange pleasure in being totally wrong. A couple of weeks ago, in another thread, I mentioned my troubles contacting the Leica repair and servicing specialists CRR of Luton. I cited this as an example of all that was wrong with the British photographic trade etc. etc.
Kim Coxon suggested I was simply unlucky and that the company had suffered from problems with e-mails. In a very helpful exchange of PMs Kim encouraged me to try again.
So I did. I phoned and immediately found I was talking to someone who really understood Leicas. I sent my camera on the following day - Tuesday the 31st. On Thursday I received an estimate for the very extensive work that needed to be done. It was extremely reasonable. Today - Tuesday 7th - I received my camera.
I have never understood what people saw in Leicas until now. From lens to shutter to the brilliant clarity of the rangefinder, all is smooth, soft and unbelievably exquisite. There is a combination of delicacy and precision which is simply glorious. Even a tiny patch of lost vulcanite had been perfectly restored.
50 years of dried grease and botched servicing had reduced the camera to a mechanically miserable condition: it was far below my ever-troublesome FEDs. Now it is new and breathtaking.
CRR have an international reputation and certainly do not need my recommendation. But I will say this: Their work is of the highest imaginable quality, their prices are exceptionally reasonable and the service second to none.
But, echoing Kim, I'd advise you to phone!
If you want your Leica brought to perfect working condition (and what's the point otherwise?), this is their webite: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/
Just do it! Your camera will thank you!
Cheers, Ian
Kim Coxon suggested I was simply unlucky and that the company had suffered from problems with e-mails. In a very helpful exchange of PMs Kim encouraged me to try again.
So I did. I phoned and immediately found I was talking to someone who really understood Leicas. I sent my camera on the following day - Tuesday the 31st. On Thursday I received an estimate for the very extensive work that needed to be done. It was extremely reasonable. Today - Tuesday 7th - I received my camera.
I have never understood what people saw in Leicas until now. From lens to shutter to the brilliant clarity of the rangefinder, all is smooth, soft and unbelievably exquisite. There is a combination of delicacy and precision which is simply glorious. Even a tiny patch of lost vulcanite had been perfectly restored.
50 years of dried grease and botched servicing had reduced the camera to a mechanically miserable condition: it was far below my ever-troublesome FEDs. Now it is new and breathtaking.
CRR have an international reputation and certainly do not need my recommendation. But I will say this: Their work is of the highest imaginable quality, their prices are exceptionally reasonable and the service second to none.
But, echoing Kim, I'd advise you to phone!
If you want your Leica brought to perfect working condition (and what's the point otherwise?), this is their webite: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/
Just do it! Your camera will thank you!
Cheers, Ian
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markinlondon
Elmar user
Good to see it all worked out, Ian. Which Leica was it btw?
telenous
Well-known
Ian,
Great to hear your M is back in tip-top form. And well deserved praise for CRR Luton and Peter Grisafi. I have sent two cameras to him (one of them twice) and they both came back in stunning order. It was only when he worked his magic on them that I knew what people mean about 'buttery-smooth' operation. The prices are very reasonable (the third time I sent a camera for a repair I was asked, what can only be, a 'friendly' price) and turn-around times are usually shorter than what the website implies. Warmly recommended indeed.
Best,
Great to hear your M is back in tip-top form. And well deserved praise for CRR Luton and Peter Grisafi. I have sent two cameras to him (one of them twice) and they both came back in stunning order. It was only when he worked his magic on them that I knew what people mean about 'buttery-smooth' operation. The prices are very reasonable (the third time I sent a camera for a repair I was asked, what can only be, a 'friendly' price) and turn-around times are usually shorter than what the website implies. Warmly recommended indeed.
Best,
Jocko
Off With The Pixies
Hallo Mark!
A Leica IIIF, which although in rather good cosmetic order had proved a disappointment - far rougher than an Oleg'd FED, with a barely visible RF - and I never actually used it. I bought it in Summer from another member (who, I must stress, went to great lengths to point out the shortcomings). This had made me even more sceptical about the whole Leica mythos. But , having bought it, I thought that I might as well try to get it working...
When the camera arrived this morning I thought it had been sent back as unrepairable, but it's just fabuous!
Cheers, Ian
A Leica IIIF, which although in rather good cosmetic order had proved a disappointment - far rougher than an Oleg'd FED, with a barely visible RF - and I never actually used it. I bought it in Summer from another member (who, I must stress, went to great lengths to point out the shortcomings). This had made me even more sceptical about the whole Leica mythos. But , having bought it, I thought that I might as well try to get it working...
When the camera arrived this morning I thought it had been sent back as unrepairable, but it's just fabuous!
Cheers, Ian
Jocko
Off With The Pixies
Alkis, I could not agree more! "Buttery smooth" is exactly right!
Cheers, Ian
Cheers, Ian
Mark Wood
Well-known
I've mentioned CRR several times before but I'd like to echo the comments about Peter's work on Leicas. He's totally transformed three cameras I've sent to him (II, IIIa, IIIc) and the work he did on cleaning a VIOOH viewfinder was remarkable. He sells a video of the dismantling and repair of a IIIf which is really worth watching. It shows what a skilled job it is to repair these things properly. He's always busy for a very good reason.
markinlondon
Elmar user
I can't say the advance on my M2 is currently "buttery smooth", it feels about the same as my M6. Then I consider that the M2 probably needs a service and is almost 40 years older than the M6 and I marvel at how good it is. Enjoy your "new" camera, Ian.
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Interlacing threads
Interlacing threads
This is just the sort of recommendation I was looking for in the thread I started asking about CLA in GB.
Thanks for the information.
I think I might try CRR too - can't lose out by asking!
Incidentally I got the Ic out last night but can't get it to miss on the 1/30 setting. Still a bit stiff, and still needs a CLA I am pretty sure.
Interlacing threads
This is just the sort of recommendation I was looking for in the thread I started asking about CLA in GB.
Thanks for the information.
I think I might try CRR too - can't lose out by asking!
Incidentally I got the Ic out last night but can't get it to miss on the 1/30 setting. Still a bit stiff, and still needs a CLA I am pretty sure.
Jocko
Off With The Pixies
Hallo Jesse!
I would have posted in your thread but having earlier criticised CRR I wanted to draw as much attention to the facts as possible. Believe me, you will not be disappointed
Cheers. Ian
I would have posted in your thread but having earlier criticised CRR I wanted to draw as much attention to the facts as possible. Believe me, you will not be disappointed
Cheers. Ian
DMG
waiting for friday
excellent I was thinking of sending them my CL to get a new shutter put in
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Ic CLA
Ic CLA
Thanks Ian
I contacted Peter at CRR this afternoon.
He thought he could 'fit me in' before Christmas and quoted me an attractive price for a CLA. It seems a good idea to have one done as soon as possible because after all I won't be needing another for 50 years or so.
Also seemed interested that it was a Ic I wanted doing and I gathered he hadn't dealt with many of them. Not surprising really when you consider how many were made. Also said the slow shutter speed mech was there (after a fashion). Now how about a Ic with a slow shutter speed dial on the front?
I'll forget that thought for the moment!!
Ic CLA
Jocko said:Hallo Jesse!
I would have posted in your thread but having earlier criticised CRR I wanted to draw as much attention to the facts as possible. Believe me, you will not be disappointed
Cheers. Ian
Thanks Ian
I contacted Peter at CRR this afternoon.
He thought he could 'fit me in' before Christmas and quoted me an attractive price for a CLA. It seems a good idea to have one done as soon as possible because after all I won't be needing another for 50 years or so.
Also seemed interested that it was a Ic I wanted doing and I gathered he hadn't dealt with many of them. Not surprising really when you consider how many were made. Also said the slow shutter speed mech was there (after a fashion). Now how about a Ic with a slow shutter speed dial on the front?
I'll forget that thought for the moment!!
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
*glances at Leica Standard*... damn now you got me pondering whether I could have the slow speeds on that too!!! (I know that's a pipe dream don't worry!)
Looks like my IIIc will have to go to CRR as well then
(I know that's a pipe dream don't worry!)Looks like my IIIc will have to go to CRR as well then
Kim Coxon
Moderator
Hey, steady on guys. Give Peter a chance to get my black M3 finished.
Kim
Kim
Xmas
Veteran
Kim
Quite correct as well as your collapsible (not in queue), I have two bodies, and a Leicavit... pending transmission.
So please stop sending Peter work...
Noel
Quite correct as well as your collapsible (not in queue), I have two bodies, and a Leicavit... pending transmission.
So please stop sending Peter work...
Noel
Flyfisher Tom
Well-known
Kim Coxon said:Hey, steady on guys. Give Peter a chance to get my black M3 finished.
Kim
Alright Kim, I know I'm just voicing what many others probably wanted to ask as well ... please show us a photo of the black M3 when you get it back. It must be a beaut
Kim Coxon
Moderator
As soon as it arrives it will be on "Look what came in the mail", "Show us your M", "Camera and coffee" and ... and... and...
Kim
Kim
Flyfisher Tom said:Alright Kim, I know I'm just voicing what many others probably wanted to ask as well ... please show us a photo of the black M3 when you get it back. It must be a beaut
pvenables
Established
I've had problems in getting a reply by e-mail too. I'll have to phone them !!.
Paul
Paul
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
a week and a half without reply to an email I sent. I'm thinking of waiting til after Christmas to send the IIIc for RF beautifying.
Film dino
David Chong
e-mailing CRR
e-mailing CRR
I sent (from Glasgow) a Leicameter MC on 25th October for evaluation & it was returned, to Glasgow, the selenium cel having been replaced & the meter re-calibrated, on 2nd November. I think thats PDQ. [Edit- of course, the Royal Mail played its part]
David
e-mailing CRR
I think Peter's got a backlog of emails to clear.. you need to ring him.Ash said:
I sent (from Glasgow) a Leicameter MC on 25th October for evaluation & it was returned, to Glasgow, the selenium cel having been replaced & the meter re-calibrated, on 2nd November. I think thats PDQ. [Edit- of course, the Royal Mail played its part]
David
Xmas
Veteran
Guys
A black M2 while you wait for Kims M3 pics.
Alas it has seen some service - dinks and gouges and needed new innards and a wind lever in '77 or so, and they had trouble with parts at leitz luton even back then... the lever is from an M3 and different in finish...
Not a shelf queen
Noel
A black M2 while you wait for Kims M3 pics.
Alas it has seen some service - dinks and gouges and needed new innards and a wind lever in '77 or so, and they had trouble with parts at leitz luton even back then... the lever is from an M3 and different in finish...
Not a shelf queen
Noel
