Repair of vintage Leica cameras - circa WWII era

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My father & I have located two Leica cameras that were purchased overseas and used by my Grandfather during WWII and beyond. There is some slight damage to them and an appraiser that has seen one says it can be repaired. Also, someone told me to check with Leica, as the serial numbers may be registered and they would provide repair of these cameras. Can that be true?? Can anyone suggest the best course of action, since we would like to restore them to good condition, use them and most likely, keep them in the family for sentimental reasons. Thanks & Regards from Texas...

-- Pam (pam@performancesystems.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

I am sure you will get several recommendations from people in the US and elsewhere, since where you live may determine where you want to go for service. You probably don't want to be shipping out of country if you can avoid it. As a Canadian resident, I highly recommend Kindermann Canada in Toronto. They still service screwmount Leicas and have a great stock of parts for them. Gerry Smith, their technician, is first class. I recently had a 111F serviced there and their prices are still very reasonable.

-- Ivor Quaggin (iquaggin@rogers.com), December 18, 2001.

Oops! Should engage my brain when reading, I see you live in Texas Pam. Over to the US contributors.......

-- Ivor Quaggin (iquaggin@rogers.com), December 18, 2001.

I've had nothing but good luck with DAG camera repair. His prices are reasonable and he gets your camera back to you relatively quickly. I believe that Leica New Jersey no longer services screw mount cameras, but you should check with them as well.

Regards - Seth

-- Seth Honeyman (sdhoneyman@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.


Possibly both cameras can be fixed--an "appraiser" doesn't sound like a good info source in this case--but Leica isn't going to do it for free. DAG is a good idea, and he could tell you what you really needed to do, and how much it would cost. You might want to sell the cameras as-is when you find out!

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

Pam- It took me many years before I discovered that "DAG" is leicaspeak for Donald A. Goldberg, located in Wisconsin, whose telephone number is 608/838-4769. Other nationally known leica repair specialists are: Sherry Krauter, New York State, 845/496-8834 John Van Stelten, Colorado, 303/665-6640 I have no experience with any of these, but they are universally spoken of with great respect. -Tom

-- Tom (coyneholum@aol.com), December 21, 2001.


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