Perhaps folks have heard of them: http://www.crrluton.co.uk/ I tried emailing the address I found but it was bounced back as 'not found'. There's a telephone number listed, but I think it's a cell phone number.
Has anyone used their services? Do I need to telephone them? I'd rather use email as I have photos of the camera I'd like repaired - it would be easier than explaining things.
On receiving the camera from outside the EU that shop would have to pay VAT and duty for it. Thus a process must be installed to get it back or not pay that in first instance, as the camera will not stay in the EU.
Custom issues on receiving the camera back could also come up, depends on where you are located.
Even if you could get the camera as such out of that, duty etc. on the repair itself and transport could be viable.
Still worth contacting Malcolm and asking, if he can't do it he'll tell you who can. I see that link I posted won't work, just search his name & Leica, he's near Leomster, Herefordshire.
Normally there is no tax or duty on a package with a repair invoice attachment.
CRR may not be able to charge VAT on the repair if it is for a non EU member unless there is an arrangement.
Phone and ask for fax or email of cover notes etc.
I've seen an M2 which CRR rebuilt, it was like new or better, the moving image was brighter than the rest of the field, no vesting interest, but it is expensive.
Camera returned for repair does not attract VAT, at least, cameras sent from the Channel Islands does not attract VAT as long as you state on the custome sticker camera returned for repair
Still worth contacting Malcolm and asking, if he can't do it he'll tell you who can. I see that link I posted won't work, just search his name & Leica, he's near Leomster, Herefordshire.
Thank you for the suggestion! I had a talk with him before lunch and he said my M3 might just need a cleaning. The price he quoted me was quite reasonable. If the rangefinder maladies are worse however, the repair could be more than what I paid for the camera (which wasn't a lot since it's a beater.)
He was nice to talk to and sounds very methodical in his approach. It's a shame he doesn't have an email address.
Peter at CRR did a lovely job on restoring my very fungus damaged rangefinder and doing a CLA on my M4. Came back looking like new and the back door does not sound like a bingo game now (clickety-click). Best way to contact him is with a text to his mobile number.
Just sent him a text today to ask if he can remove and replace the three chewed up grub screws on my 28mm ASPH Summicron. Like most of these, the front section keeps coming unscrewed. Everyone and his uncle have had a go at tightening the screws and there is nothing left of the slots on them. Hopefully Peter could source some nice hard grub screws not made out of cheese like the originals. Hex socket screws would be better than the slot head originals. If the replacement screws were slightly larger, that might be better as the detents in the front section are very shallow and the originals just don't seem to get enough purchase to hold it in place. I have replaced the clunky original hood with a much smaller Contax titanium GG1 hood, so that you can hold the middle of the lens better for mounting and dismounting. However I am still often putting on and removing pola filters, which seems to loosen the front section.