I have a Leica M2 with a damaged film transport mechanism. Leica USA gave me an estimate more than $500.00 to fix the problem with the film transport mechanism, recalibrate the shutter speeds and clean,lubricate and adjust all functions.

Do any of you know a place that does something like that for less than half of the bodies value?

Thanks Jan

-- Jan Balster (Jan.Balster@netzero.net), October 06, 2001

Answers

Try Kindermann Canada (www.kindermann.ca). E-mail or phone Gerry Smith (their tech, trained by Leica Germany). I recently sent an M3 in for a customer (the shutter was advancing when there was no film in the camera, but as soon as there was film to supply tension the shutter would not cock). They fixed this and did a CLA for $370.00 CDN, which is probably about $250.00 US.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), October 06, 2001.

I would recommend giving Sherry Krauter a call. She is one of a handful of premier Leica experts in the country and many on this list swear by her. I recently had both an M3 and M6 Classic CLA'd by Sherry. The M6 is smoother than it was when new and the M3 is smoother than the M6 :-). Having said that, this is the kind of repair that is mainly going to be driven by parts cost. I'd figure a normal CLA cost plus whatever parts are needed to fix the transport mechanism. My guess is it won't be that much less than the Leica USA quote but you might be pleasantly surprised.

Sherry Krauter Golden Touch Quality Camera Repair 118 Purgatory Road Campbell Hall NY 10916 845.496.8834 845.496.3656 Fax

-- Rolfe Tessem (rolfe@ldp.com), October 06, 2001.

Another endorsement for Gerry Smith at Kindermann Canada. he has done all my Leica work and has given me good service and advice.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), October 07, 2001.

I'll vote for Sherry. She's overhauled 2 M3s, an M4, and a 135mm Elmarit for me, and all perform superbly. I've also found her to be impeccably honest, and she's refrained from overcharging me when she easily could have.

-- Tom Bryant (boffin@gis.net), October 07, 2001.

Sherry has CLA'd and repaired two Leicaflex SL cameras for me. Her work is good and the prices reasonable.

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), October 08, 2001.

I would recommend D.A.G. Camera Repair( DON A.GOLDBERG ),as one of the best Leica repairmen in the country and also very fair on pricing. I have known him for a long long time. I believe his father worked for Leica & Minox in Germany, so Don should be well trained. He is in Wisconsin. 608-838-4769

-- Mel Levy (newslinex@aol.com), October 09, 2001.