Like Mercedes-Benz, Leicas do, alas, from time to time require servicing, and yes, even repair. There are several questions on this forum already re CLAs, so I thought it might be useful to tie them together: where are the best places to send your cherished Leica for a CLA? Or lens cleaning? Doesn't matter where in the world. Sherry Krauter gets a good mention, so does the Leica Shop in Austria. How do they compare? What are prices like? How do you contact them? As an addendum, how long can your camera/lens be expected to last before it needs some kind of professional attention?

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), April 24, 2002

Answers

I would also add Leica USA.

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), April 24, 2002.

I would add Don Goldberg DAG Camera Repair:

Telephone 608-835-3342 FAX 608-835-3342 Postal address 2128 Vintage Drive Oregon WI 53575 Electronic mail dagcam@chorus.net

www.dagcamera.com

Don has serviced all of my Leica screwmounts and I'm very pleased. CLA's ranged from $200 to $300 per body, $50 to $100 per lens CLA.

I haven't used anyone else.

-- Tony Oresteen (aoresteen@mindspring.com), April 24, 2002.

how long can your camera/lens be expected to last before it needs some kind of professional attention?

I've used Sherry Krauter, Leica USA and Don Goldberg. All provide excellent service, Leica USA is most expensive, Sherry no longer has the time to service R bodies (Leicaflex is OK, though). I generally don't send the equipment in unless there's an obvious problem, like uneven exposures, sticky apertures, loose parts, stuff falling off. I figure 15 years between CLAs for an R4s (sluggish stop-down ring, weak motor contacts) but everything else has been repaired only as needed. "As needed" generally means I dropped something on concrete.

-- Douglas Herr (telyt@earthlink.net), April 24, 2002.

Sherry is great Chuck Golden Touch Sherry Krauter 118 Purgatory Rd., Campbell Hall, NY, 10916 krauter@warwick.net 845.496.8834 Fax 845.496.3656

-- Charles C. Stirk Jr. (ccstirkjr@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002.

My advice is to fedex it to Leica AG - Solms(Germany). You can find all information on their web site.

-- Andre Bosmans (a.bosmans@pandora.be), April 24, 2002.

Dear David and Everyone,

A while back I had a problem with an M6 with a frozen shutter.I live in Japan where the "authorized" Leica repair outfit wanted 172,000 yen for the repair and Kanto Camera wanted 250,000 yen. I wrote to a number of people recommended to me in this forum.

Sherry's e-mail bounced back. I read somewhere that she prefers telephones. True or not, I had the bounce back problem several times. Unfortunately in Japan I need e-mail.

I wrote to Kinderman in Canada twice. I took about a day or so to respond to my second e-mail and then they responded to my first right after. In answer to my question about cost of repair they sent me a statement that seemed prepared to the effect that they needed to see the camera first. Fair enough. Fine for shipping in North America but not from Japan. At least not for me.

Leica USA's answer to my e-mail was immediate. They quoted their standard CLA price (around $300) and said that there might be added costs depending on the degree of repair needed. Very fast and straight.

Stephen Gandy (Cameraquest) responded immediately. He was personable and reasured me that a frozen Leica shutter was not the end of the world. His CLA price was $175. I sent the camera to him. It was not simply a money issue that made me choose him. Frankly, I liked the person. He wrote to me when the M6 arrived and when the M6 was repaired and sent (last Sat. from Los Angeles--about 1 and half to 2 weeks after sending it to him). He gave me the tracer number and told me exactly what the problem was--a slipped gear (perhaps, he said, when I was going for the 38th frame). The M6 hasn't arrived yet (as of Wed. in Japan, but Tues. in L.A.) but I am not worried. Total cost, labor and mailing to Japan by Express: $209.00. And I get a 4 month guarantee.

The final chapter to this will, of course, have be written when I have the M6 in my hot little hands and start using it again (a little more gently). But so far working with Stephen has been a pleasure. Take my unfinished story for what it is worth. I am writing now while this thread is at the top of the list and hot.

Regarding the general question of how long cameras can go on until they need service, I must answer: That depends. I bought the M6 I sent to Stephen second hand in Dec, 1989 at K&S in Palo Alto and have used the camera steadily until its breakdown in Nov. 2001. I am sure it was overdue for a CLA before it slipped a gear. For one thing it didn't work with a demo Leica motor winder I tried in Osaka. It did in a shot trial with the motor I bought for my M6 TTL. Then a few days later it slipped a gear. I had the M4 that I bought in March, 1987 serviced by Sukiya Camera in Tokyo shortly there after (10,000 yen) and haven't serviced it since then. My first CLE, after some immediate problems after I bought it used in 1985, has being going steadily along for over 17 years--and I've used that guy a lot. CL, bought in 1984, the same story. Needed service at first and has kept on going since. Similar story with my SS M3. My M2, bought 1987 for $300 and in pretty beat up shape, got a frozen shutter in 2000 after a heavy and steady workout from me. You know what I think?--and you can flame me for this--I think that if it isn't broke don't fix it. Really. A camera will be give you little signs that it needs a doctor--like uneven exposures or bad framing (which I found in my M6's last roll before the breakdown). If the camera is working well, be happy.

Best,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4u.or.jp), April 24, 2002.

Past midnight typos above. One might cause misunderstanding. It (not I) took Kinderman about a day to respond. Should mention that I sent the first e-mail on a weekend. Kinderman has come highly recommended from many sources, I must add, and they are no doubt very good. That they didn't fit my needs does not mean that they won't fit the needs of others.

And time I go to bed.

Best,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4u.or.jp), April 24, 2002.

DAG.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), April 24, 2002.

Gerry Smith at Kindermann Canada (www.kindermann.ca). Factory trained, Gerry is always a gentleman to deal with. Kindermann is one of the few depots that is recommended by Leica AG to fix screwmount cameras and has parts for them. Very reasonably priced. Recently sent a customers M2 for CLA, rangefinder adjustment and to have the vulcanite replaced with the current M6 type leatherette. Total price under 300.00 US. Look fair going in, came back looking brand new.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), April 24, 2002.

See also the detailed list of Leica repairers (with contact email addresses and phone #'s) in the FAQ at:
nemeng.com/leica/ 007e.shtml

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), April 24, 2002.

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL MR FRANK NYERERE JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA TEL: 27-82-541-8464

ATTN: DIRECTOR /C.E.O

Dear Sir, I do foresee this letter will bring to you as it comes from a stranger . But rest assured as it comes with best of intetions. However, your address was courtsey of a business journal at the World Trade Centre in Johannesburg. But after due consideratuion from your profile, I became aware and assured of your credibility of handling this trust and my future. Thus, after my hundle decision to solicit for your understanding and co-operation in this transaction,as it will be beneficial to all us involved. My name is Mr. Franklyn Nyerere,from Tanzania. I am the son of the late President of Tanzania JULIUS MWALIMU NYERERE,who died about two years ago. My father used his position then to make for himself and us some fortune. My father died after a protracted illness. I was studying overseas when my father died and I was forced to return for the funeral. His attorney notified me and my family about my father's will with his chambers. When I was going through the will, I discovered that my father had used his position then to make some money ,which he brilliantly transferred and deposited it with a private Security Comapny here in Johannesburg South Africa .He deposited this consignment as valuables.The security company does not know that this consignment contains cash money,except the attorney and me. The amount is US$ 18.2Million( Eighteen Million,Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).However,my aim of contacting you is to help me and take this sum into your nominated account in your country or any other part of the world. Secondly, you will also help me look for a profitable investment overseas because I don't have Knowledge of international investments. As a result of my present situation, I won't be able to conclude this transaction alone. If you are interested in helping me out, try and contact me with the above fax , phone number, or e- mail address indicating your interest to help me ,not forgetting to include your private phone and fax numbers for easier communication. I will then furnish you with more details. I have mutually agreed to compensate you with 30% of the total sum for your assistance,10% for expenses in the course of the transaction. Then the remaining 60% will remain for my family and me, which you will help us invest. Be informed that this transaction needs utmost trust and confidentiality. Note Also that this transaction attracts no risk on your side hence all the modalities for safe , smooth and successful transaction have been arranged by me. Looking forward to receiving your urgent reply. God bless you. FRANKLYN NYERERE(JNR)

-- frank nyerere (franyerelyn@yahoo.com), June 04, 2002.

This scam is all over the Internet. I also received the snail mail version six months ago...

-- adam g. lang (aglang@hotmail.com), June 04, 2002.

Franklin, you are a crook. His middle name was Kambarage. Get lost now.

-- MSC (mscomme@hotmail.com), June 04, 2002.