(This was also posted on the Leica-Users but I know many of you do not lurk there.)

I am once again simply delighted with Kindermann Canada and their wonderful repair staff. Gerry Smith is a Leica repair god! I thought I would post what I had repaired and for what price to help those who are always asking the above question.

My just purchased dirt cheap SL2 (someone had dropped it in a river or lake!) had a wonky meter, stiff back release, murky viewfinder and that horrible split rangefinder focusing screen. Gerry took it completely apart to clean out the creek residue, CLAed it and found an original SL2 micro-prism screen (SL screens do not have the proper set up to show the apertures). Labour $260CAN ($165US), minor parts $18CAN ($11.50US) and a used screen at $125CAN ($80US) for a total of $403CAN ($257US). Turn around time was fairly long as he had to search for a screen.

My used 35/1.4 Asph developed a stiff spot in the focus ring at about the one meter mark. Probably after I whacked it against something. Gerry opened it up to get rid of the high spot on the focusing helicals and collimated the repaired lens. Total cost (all labour) was $138CAN ($88US) with a turn around time of under a week.

I am very happy, nay, delighted with the work and the low cost (Do not forget the creek!).

PS: I paid $250US for the SL2 which means for $500US I have a CLAed SL2 with a great screen. As a point of reference a new screen for a SL2 goes for $250US when you can find them.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), October 19, 2001