Post recommendation for Leica CLA

[logan2z]

I'm having a hard time with Leica service for specific problems. I think for CLA on cameras already working ok, any of the usual service people are fine. Likewise if you mostly care about operation feeling "buttery smooth" and luxurious, they will come back feeling smooth and premium. But if you are specifically concerned with things like shutter timing and reliability, etc, it's harder. Last camera I sent to YYe he sent back untouched, saying he doesn't disassemble cameras far enough to clean/lubricate the shutter drum springs and bearings, which would have been necessary to have it stop sticking open and overexposing. DAG also seems to prefer standard CLA service rather than requests to fix specific problems - I asked for a IIIg's shutter to be adjusted because it was exposing half the frame almost a stop more than the other half at 1/250 and above, and got it back worse than before and with the shutter not opening at all at 1/1000. It was out of my hands for over a year before I gave up. So I'm not sure where to turn. And I don't mean to put down the services these guys provide - they are terribly overloaded and there's nobody taking up the excess work; they're certainly capable and knowledgeable and great resources. But I find that if I want a camera actually fully functional and working, sometimes the only practical option is to just buy a new one that's already been fully overhauled and tested, rather than getting someone to address what's wrong with an existing one. I fully expect to get flak for saying any of this, because it seems almost taboo to mention these guys in any but the most glowing terms, but they're human like everyone else and it's not reasonable to expect every single thing they do to be perfect.

You could always try Leica *ducking*

 

[qqphot]

You could always try Leica *ducking*

haha! I can't imagine they'd touch an old Barnack anymore, would they? I mean, I'd consider it with an extra body I can live with not seeing for a year or two.

 

[logan2z]

haha! I can't imagine they'd touch an old Barnack anymore, would they? I mean, I'd consider it with an extra body I can live with not seeing for a year or two.

I think Wetzlar would but, yeah, I’m sure it’ll be gone for a long time. It wouldn’t hurt to ask, though.

 

[Axelwik]

I'm having a hard time with Leica service for specific problems. I think for CLA on cameras already working ok, any of the usual service people are fine. Likewise if you mostly care about operation feeling "buttery smooth" and luxurious, they will come back feeling smooth and premium. But if you are specifically concerned with things like shutter timing and reliability, etc, it's harder. Last camera I sent to YYe he sent back untouched, saying he doesn't disassemble cameras far enough to clean/lubricate the shutter drum springs and bearings, which would have been necessary to have it stop sticking open and overexposing. DAG also seems to prefer standard CLA service rather than requests to fix specific problems - I asked for a IIIg's shutter to be adjusted because it was exposing half the frame almost a stop more than the other half at 1/250 and above, and got it back worse than before and with the shutter not opening at all at 1/1000. It was out of my hands for over a year before I gave up. So I'm not sure where to turn. And I don't mean to put down the services these guys provide - they are terribly overloaded and there's nobody taking up the excess work; they're certainly capable and knowledgeable and great resources. But I find that if I want a camera actually fully functional and working, sometimes the only practical option is to just buy a new one that's already been fully overhauled and tested, rather than getting someone to address what's wrong with an existing one. I fully expect to get flak for saying any of this, because it seems almost taboo to mention these guys in any but the most glowing terms, but they're human like everyone else and it's not reasonable to expect every single thing they do to be perfect.

I sent an M2 to KEH with a shutter problem and they fixed it as part of the CLA, no extra charge. Have taken that camera all over the world since then and it's been flawless.

 

[qqphot]

I sent an M2 to KEH with a shutter problem and they fixed it as part of the CLA, no extra charge. Have taken that camera all over the world since then and it's been flawless.

Good to know -- I'll definitely consider it!

 

[Y2kTLCrepair]

"if you are specifically concerned with things like shutter timing and reliability" qqphot

Not sure why that has to be said. Of course we ALL want our shutters to be accurate & reliable.
- - - - -

"Last camera I sent to YYe he sent back untouched, saying he doesn't disassemble cameras far enough to clean/lubricate the shutter drum springs and bearings" qqphot

He doesn't conduct what is normal & customary in a proper service ?
Com'on, that's the whole point of a C L A !
- - - - -

"DAG also seems to prefer standard CLA service rather than requests to fix specific problems" qqphot

Not logical; specific problems are typically the reason one initiates a service...
- - - - -

"I asked for a IIIg's shutter to be adjusted because it was exposing half the frame almost a stop more than the other half at 1/250 and above, and got it back worse" qqphot

This issue is very common and normal to cameras that have aging lubricants and/or are poorly adjusted.
- - - - -

I've trained many technicians.
What most of them didn't & don't realize, is that these early mechanical horizontal traveling shutters, (after proper cleaning & lubrication) require partial reassembly (install Speed dial & Sync mechanism). Then over a span of at least 3 days, it will require constant monitoring and readjusting until the speed calibration's stabilize... Then & only then, will the camera pass all factory specifications...

 

[qqphot]

"if you are specifically concerned with things like shutter timing and reliability" qqphot

Not sure why that has to be said. Of course we ALL want our shutters to be accurate & reliable.
- - - - -

"Last camera I sent to YYe he sent back untouched, saying he doesn't disassemble cameras far enough to clean/lubricate the shutter drum springs and bearings" qqphot

"
Com'on, that's the whole point of a C L A !
- - - - -

"DAG also seems to prefer standard CLA service rather than requests to fix specific problems" qqphot

Not logical; specific problems are typically the reason one initiates a service...
- - - - -

"I asked for a IIIg's shutter to be adjusted because it was exposing half the frame almost a stop more than the other half at 1/250 and above, and got it back worse" qqphot

This issue is very common and normal to cameras that have aging lubricants and/or are poorly adjusted.
- - - - -

I've trained many technicians.
What most of them didn't & don't realize, is that these early mechanical horizontal traveling shutters, (after proper cleaning & lubrication) require partial reassembly (install Speed dial & Sync mechanism). Then over a span of at least 3 days, it will require constant monitoring and readjusting until the speed calibration's stabilize... Then & only then, will the camera pass all factory specifications...

I think you'd be surprised how many people aren't aware or concerned as long as it "feels smooth." Lots of people are shooting portra massively overexposed anyway and like the "classic film look" ie the scanner manages to pull out an image regardless of the poor exposure. I think a lot of people see them more as jewelry or status cameras than photographic tools, unfortunately.

Yes, "He doesn't conduct what is normal & customary in a proper service" -- he said he does not disassemble cameras far enough to access shutter drum bearings and springs. "We only do necessary services for the user market, also considering the value of a camera. We do not take a camera wholly apart and rebuild a camera like this."

If you're up for taking a look at it, I'd love to send this IIIg to you and see if we can get it sorted out!

 

[Y2kTLCrepair]

"I'd love to send this IIIg to you" qqphot

Yes of course, but current rules don't allow me to send you a private message :
i.e. "Due to recent spam issues, private messages to fellow members will not be available until you have posted at least 20 messages" Photrio

Try this, Google - TLC Camera Repair - I'm in North Carolina, U S A

 

[koraks]

Yes of course, but current rules don't allow me to send you a private message :

Yes, this also extends to 'rogue advertising' by businesses on our forum. We're definitely fine with people sharing their expertise, but soliciting sales through the forum we want to keep limited to the Classifieds section which is accessible for Subscribers, and also through dedicated sponsor forums for institutions that support Photrio in that sense. This is just to offer some contextual information; I'm aware that in this case it's @qqphot who proposed sending the camera to you for servicing, not you.

Btw, the 20-post limit is one we sometimes lift if we receive a request along those lines; this is discussed here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/how-the-classifieds-section-works-read-this-first.204146
Also, note that while there are restrictions on new accounts to initiate private conversations, you can always be included in a private conversation by someone else, so in this case if @qqphot would want to discuss something with you in private, they could initiate a conversation with you without any problem.

Hope this helps, and thanks once more for joining our forum and sharing your insights with all of us!