Is My M6 worth repairing

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My M6 classic's shutter froze. This was in December. Living in Japan, my first act was to send it to the Leica "authorized" dealer's repair service for an estimate. They wanted 172,000 yen for repairs (about $1200). Next, I sent it to Kanto Camera. They want 250,000 yen for repairs according to my local camera shop. This is roughly the price for a new M6 TTL. I am at wit's end. Do I send the camera to the US? Do I use it as a doorstop?

This is a very broad and vague question. Have any of you had a frozen Leica M6 (or M) shutter? If you had it fixed, how much did it cost?

I assume any number of things can cause a frozen shutter. I don't know what caused mine. I will greatly value all your stories. Thanks.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), March 01, 2002

Answers

My M6 classic shutter and wind mechanism froze up on a job in January this year. Was totally repaired by Precision Camera Repair here in Austin, Texas for less than $400. You might go to their website at www.precision-camera.com and navigate to the owner, Jerry Sullivan. He will help you. Their phone is 512-457-7676. Don't give up on your M6.

Kirk

-- kirk tuck (kirktuck@kirktuck.com), March 01, 2002.


The quotes sound very high to me. Send the camera to Gerry Smith of Kindermann Canada, DAG or Sherry Krauter. I am sure they will be much more reasonable.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), March 01, 2002.

The shutter of my M2 was stuck a month ago. I had it fixed by my trusty Leica repairman in Hong Kong for HKD 900, that's about USD 130. This guy fixes cameras for more than 35 years. He does everything from RF to field cameras. Ifd you have a spare body to use for now, leave your M6 aside and bring it with you to HK (if you wish) and go to Panda Camera Repair, Central, Hong Kong. Mr. Lee is the contact.

-- Jeff (jeffyiu@quamnet.com), March 01, 2002.

Alex:

The shutter on my brand new M6 TTL 0.72 froze after only one month of light amateur use! Leica USA in New Jersey fixed it free of charge under warranty. It should not cost more than a few hundred dollars to get it repaired. Perhaps you should mail it to a Leica service center in the USA. Air mail charges would be nominal compared to the repair bill!

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), March 01, 2002.


Dear, Dear, Dear Friends!

Thank you so very much! I cannot tell you how much I value your help. I appriciate your tips and sharing your experiences.

Yeah, the authorized and major repair shops I've contacted in Japan are a bit much. Someone should tell these clowns that the 1980s are over.

Anyway, I will certainly follow up on your advice. And, of course, I am always here for you if ever you need me.

Thanks again.

All the best,

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), March 01, 2002.



Shintaro-san of black paint fame can also repair cameras. Give him a call.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), March 01, 2002.

Alex,

I found the same thing when I was living in Tokyo. FedEx/DHL and the Internet. Runs rings around that Japanese business good-ole-boy network.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 01, 2002.


Sherry can REPLACE the shutter for about $210

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), March 02, 2002.

Alex. Those prices you quote make no sense to me. You can buy and M6 classic for that amount (less than the higher amount). I've never heard of any M camera shutter problem that can't be fixed for less than $ 400. I've had shutter problems fixed for much less than that. What kind of people are you dealing with there?

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 02, 2002.

2 March 2002 (4:51 p.m.)

Dear Later Friends,

Thanks so very much for your concern and advise! I appriciate it!!!

Yeah, hear you about the good old boy rip off network in Japan! Yeah, buy a new M6 for the repair price. Maybe this is how they get used Leicas cheaply. Charge insane repair prices, buy a "dead" camera cheaply, rebuild it cheaply, sell it dearly.

I know about Shintaro--brilliant--but is he around? Some talk of vanished Shintaro. Will check.

Many thanks again! Man, it's good to have friends!

Best to all,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@suma.kobe-wu.ac.jp), March 02, 2002.



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