The Definitive Leica Technician List For CLAs and Fixes

[Graybeard]

If you can tolerate a long turnaround time (months), John Maddox will provide service of superb quality on Barnack Leicas. His only rival is DAG. John has access to a surprising variety of new replacement parts, both optical and mechanical. I've never asked John to rush a job - expedited service might be available on request.

I also use the services of Youxin who is a fine technician. John will tackle some work that Youxin doesn't attempt. (Youxin, being an honest man, will tell you just what he doesn't do).

Essex also provides competent service at somewhat higher prices and with a slightly longer turnaround time than Youxin. Essex will sometimes attempt to make parts if new replacements aren't available.

I have had work done at Kinderman and the experience was a bad one. I have'nt dealt with them since and won't in the future.

 

[canon]

In Praise of Leica Repairman Youxin Ye:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10

 

[Stu W]

Gary Camera Repair
228 Hett Avenue
Staten Island
NY 10306
718-987-0278
Gary is from the FSU. I know he works on all Soviet cameras, early Contax, and I believe screw mount Leica. I've heard he is very inexpensive with fast turnaround.

Also there is Eddie Smolov, another FSU immigrant. He works from home, and I believe a number of people on the Forum have used him. He's in Brooklyn, N.Y. 718-541-0952

 

[Sofa King]

Sherry Krauter
Golden Touch
118 Purgatory Road
Campbell Hall, NY 10916-2616
http://sherrykrauter.com/
(845) 496-8834

 

[cowanw]

Camtech Photographic Services Limited - Established 1976
http://www.camtechphoto.com/

Ph: 905 389 8545; Fax: 905 389 8886; Addr: 588 Concession Street,Hamilton,Ontario,Canada L8V 1B1​

 

[35mmdelux]

Steve's at Culver City, Calif.

 

[kully]

Crikey! We're forgetting Oleg!

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/

 

[richardl]

www.fotomechanik-reinhardt.de

(vormals www.fotomechanik-kielgas.de)
Inh. Claus-Werner Reinhardt
Baumstrasse 19 - D 30171 Hannover
Tel.: +49511 814699​

Claus-Werner Reinhardt does excellent work and has been reccommended by Leica itself as an alternative in Germany.

 

[Rob-F]

Here's another endorsement for John Maddox at L&J Camera Repair, in South Carolina. John did a first-class job on both my IIIcs, one of which required a new shutter curtain. His prices were very affordable.

L&J Camera Repair
109 Royal Oak Road
Greenville, South Carolina 29607
(864) 297-6931

 

[mrb7]

Also there is Eddie Smolov, another FSU immigrant. He works from home, and I believe a number of people on the Forum have used him. He's in Brooklyn, N.Y. 718-541-0952

I'll give a second vote to Eddy Smolov ( 123camerarepair@gmail.com ). I've sent him two cameras this year; both came back in excellent shape, quick turnaround, and relatively inexpensive.

MB

 

[marduk]

Know anyone in Eastern Europe?

 

[Gary E]

How about Taiwan? Any specialist there?

 

[chris7521]

It took three months to get my M6 TTL back from Sherry Krauter. She doesn't do well with electrical problems. She replaced everything till she got it right. Not my idea of a troubleshooter when you throw parts at something..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/-chris_b/

 

[phc]

Know anyone in Eastern Europe?

Does Vienna count? There's the Leica shop:

The Leica Shop
Westbahnstrasse 40
1070 Wien,
Österreich
Tel.: +43 1 523 56 59
Neu und Service: +43 1 523 56 59 - 32
Fax: +43 1 523 5177
leicashop@leicashop.com

And there's a great exhibition of historic Leicas at the Westlicht gallery behind.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[John Lawrence]

I highly recommend Malcolm Taylor in the UK. He has fixed Leicas for me that other Leica technicians have been unable to repair. Apparently Leica have also used him for restoration and reapir of rare and older cameras, which they couldn't do themselves. He has a large stock of spare parts for all Leicas and his service and turnaround time is very fast. He can be contacted at:

Malcolm Taylor
Upper Lye Farm
Aymestrey
Hereford
HR6 9SZ

Tel: 01568 770 542

 

[bohdan]

Second Motion

Second Motion

Steve's at Culver City, Calif.

I second the motion for Steve's in Culver City...

I brought my Grandfather's M2 that I inherited to him. It was neglected for years and jammed. Not only did he correct the problem in a timely manner...he cleaned up a lens that had some scarring and he patched up my vulcanite. It was a flawless job.


Steve's Camera Service Center
4355 Sepulveda Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 397-0072

http://www.stevecamera.com

Bohdan

 

[spicoli]

Another satisfied Sherry Krauter / Golden Touch customer!. I accidentally dropped my 50 F2 Summi (on the Brooklyn Bridge no less, must have been the beer....). The lens sustained no external damage, but the focusing was stiff. Based upon this thread, I sent it to Sherry. 1 week and $95 later (including shipping) I had what looked to be an unscathed lens. I cannot tell if from new, either physically or the end result, looks and works as new. Very, very satisfied...

 

[phc]

Any good Leica technicians in Spain? Specifically around Valencia?

Cheers, Paul.

 

[newspaperguy]

Originally Posted by marduk
Know anyone in Eastern Europe?

Oleg is in the Ukraine... see earlier post with his addy

 

[Harry Lime]

Gerry Smith is really, really good and very fast. Also a nice guy to deal with.