Leica CLA costs?

[BradS]

Where and when (what year) did you have your Leica serviced?
How much did it cost?
Were you satisfied?

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

Had an M2 serviced at KEH a few months ago. Cost was a bit high at $330, but as far as I can tell they did a good job. Put around ten rolls through it since, and no issues. They repaired the shutter at no extra cost.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I have had several cameras serviced by Youxin Ye and have been VERY pleased. Fast turn around and only repairs what is needed. I pre-approved replacing the curtains in one camera, on inspection he said they were fine. A couple of these were done this year. His base repair is under $200 add $40 for new curtains. Highly recommend. He also services other rangefinder cameras like canon and tower/nicca.

http://www.yyecamera.com/

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have had good work done at Samys, Steve's Cameras, KEH, Flutot's and SKGrimes.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Youxin CLA'd my M3 about a year ago - was maybe $250. Slow speeds were getting erratic. Camera is now clean and perfect.

 

[logan2z]

I had Youxin do a CLA of my M4 in November 2018 and the total cost was $180. Turnaround was fast and the camera has been working great.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Where and when (what year) did you have your Leica serviced?
How much did it cost?
Were you satisfied?

I recommend asking for a contact prior to sending it. I had service done at Carl Zeiss,Gossen and Mamiya in Munich and was always fully satisfied. It pays off to buy name brands even 2nd hand.

 

[Hatchetman]

DAG about two years ago.
$300 ish
Very happy would never use anyone else as long as he’s still working.

 

[guangong]

Prices all sound about right. I use Don and Youxin myself. Sherry’s Golden Touch should also be mentioned, especially for M5. All three are extremely ethical and will not do unnecessary work. Over the course of a year or two Don overhauled all of my M and Leicaflex cameras. They should be good for another 30+ years.
In the long run, my Leitz made cameras were relatively inexpensive, considering how many years I have used them, how little maintenance and never crossed my mind to replace them.

 

[btaylor]

+1 for Youxin. He did a Nicca and my M2 for me, as well as a handful of lenses. Good work, fast turnaround, great value. Just a note, he will work on some Canon rangefinders but not on the Canon 7.

 

[Huss]

Prices all sound about right. I use Don and Youxin myself. Sherry’s Golden Touch should also be mentioned, especially for M5. All three are extremely ethical and will not do unnecessary work. Over the course of a year or two Don overhauled all of my M and Leicaflex cameras. They should be good for another 30+ years.
In the long run, my Leitz made cameras were relatively inexpensive, considering how many years I have used them, how little maintenance and never crossed my mind to replace them.

I've use all three and like DAG the best. Sherry forgot/left out a condenser in my M5 when she serviced it, then got very defensive and claimed nothing was wrong when I asked why it was suddenly flaring. Don had to fix her work.
I've seen an M5 recently for sale which had a little body damage (disclosed by the seller) which he said Sherry did when the tool she was using accidentally slipped. So I think she is past her prime (as all of us eventually will be).

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1593666/0?keyword=m5#14832142
"Appears as new except for a small area by the side battery cover from Sherry Krauter where her screwdriver slipped."

Youxin has been very good but has a narrower experience level which is fine if one of your cameras is what he is familiar with.
Samys in LA (Fairfax) serviced one of my M3s (before I knew about the other places) and a few weeks later the shutter speed dial became loose! They fixed it and it has been fine since.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Anyone get the Nikon F2 curtain replacement on an M that the place in England offers? I'd love to have an M with titanium curtains....

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I just received my M6 back from Leica service in New Jersey. The meter was wonky. They fixed everything and sent it back in about three weeks. It's like new. I've only put one roll through it since getting it back a couple weeks ago. The price was high though at Canadian $850.

 

[guangong]

I've use all three and like DAG the best. Sherry forgot/left out a condenser in my M5 when she serviced it, then got very defensive and claimed nothing was wrong when I asked why it was suddenly flaring. Don had to fix her work.
I've seen an M5 recently for sale which had a little body damage (disclosed by the seller) which he said Sherry did when the tool she was using accidentally slipped. So I think she is past her prime (as all of us eventually will be).

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1593666/0?keyword=m5#14832142
"Appears as new except for a small area by the side battery cover from Sherry Krauter where her screwdriver slipped."

Youxin has been very good but has a narrower experience level which is fine if one of your cameras is what he is familiar with.
Samys in LA (Fairfax) serviced one of my M3s (before I knew about the other places) and a few weeks later the shutter speed dial became loose! They fixed it and it has been fine since.

Sherry has serious health issues, and no doubt you are correct in your assessment.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I just received my M6 back from Leica service in New Jersey. The meter was wonky. They fixed everything and sent it back in about three weeks. It's like new. I've only put one roll through it since getting it back a couple weeks ago. The price was high though at Canadian $850.

But it works correctly and you have a warranty. Enjoy your like new camera.

 

[Eric Rose]

I'm not sure if Kindermann is still the Leica repair people for Canada. I sent them an M5 about 10 years ago and they butchered it. I phoned them once I got it back and the tech just grumbled that he hated M5's. I might have mentioned it to him , something like, I don't give a rats behind whether you LIKE or DON'T like Leica M5's you are suppose to be qualified to CLA them. I sent it back and it was only marginally better once they sent it back to me. Lesson learned.

So if they still represent themselves as Leica repair people be VERY cautious.

 

[removed account4]

BradS
Another to praise Youxin Ye. He serviced a Leica M3 and 3 lenses for me back in IDK 2003, I don't remember the cost but it was extremely reasonable. I hand delivered and picked it up, he introduced me to his wife and family. When I left I asked when I should bring it back he said when my ( then 3 year old ) daughter graduates college to give him a call. I have a few years to go, never had problems with teh camera or the lenses, and in 3 years, or when it starts acting up, I'll be bringing it back to him.

John

 

[daleda]

Youxin Ye is the guy. Serviced both my M3’s, $180 @ and new curtain for $40.

 

[Toasty]

I went to Sherry Krauter who was great, it was $350ish (I think, its been a while) who fixed my M2 (speeds below 30 stuck the shutter open) and cleaned up my Summitar.

I chose not to go to Youxin because I have heard more than enough stories online, and from people I know in person who got incomplete service or the camera came back with damage or more problems then it left with... But your mileage may vary, I know people like him because he's by far the cheapest.

 

[Huss]

I went to Sherry Krauter who was great, it was $350ish (I think, its been a while) who fixed my M2 (speeds below 30 stuck the shutter open) and cleaned up my Summitar.

I chose not to go to Youxin because I have heard more than enough stories online, and from people I know in person who got incomplete service or the camera came back with damage or more problems then it left with... But your mileage may vary, I know people like him because he's by far the cheapest.

Sherry returned my M5 w bits missing that DAG had to fix. Never had an issue w Youxin and I’ve sent him a lot of gear. Nothing to do w price.

 

[BradS]

.... Nothing to do w price.

well, yes and no....

After some 40+ years of 35mm photography, I finally bought a (used) Leica.
I've had many 35mm SLR served over the years. This my first Leica.
When I called a local place, I was shocked a the price estimate for what seems to me fairly routine service.

So, I'm asking about what others paid...to kinda get a feel without having to make a bunch of phone calls.

 

[millardmt]

I went to Sherry Krauter who was great, it was $350ish (I think, its been a while) who fixed my M2 (speeds below 30 stuck the shutter open) and cleaned up my Summitar.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I just recently became a new -- and very satisfied -- customer of Sherry Krauter. I've sent two M5's to her this summer and both came back like new. (One just needed a CLA and meter voltage recalibration ($434 USD) and the other needed a complete finder replacement due to separation ($1,008)).

Sherry has an injured leg, I believe, but that has nothing to do with her skill set, which is top-notch. She's very highly recommended.

Of course, Don Goldberg is truly excellent, as well. He's repaired and/or CLA'd at least a dozen cameras for me over the last 20 years. (Don's problem is that his name is known far and wide, so he's always got a huge backlog of work. But his services are worth waiting for, that's for sure!)

Marc

 

[Huss]

Did that $1008 include a spare M5?!

 

[blockend]

Did that $1008 include a spare M5?!

The prices people consider reasonable for Leica repairs was one of the reasons for my short acquaintance with the model. The guy I send my SLRs to quoted £50 for most stuff when I last used him a couple of years ago (used to be £35). Even if he's ramped up the prices I'd be happy to send him my Nikons.

 

[Huss]

The prices people consider reasonable for Leica repairs was one of the reasons for my short acquaintance with the model. The guy I send my SLRs to quoted £50 for most stuff when I last used him a couple of years ago (used to be £35). Even if he's ramped up the prices I'd be happy to send him my Nikons.

I don't consider that price reasonable. It seems the Sherry doubled her fee from when she worked on my M5.
But still expensive compared to an SLR.