Leica CLA - Local?

[glchua]

I have a M6 classic which I think needs a tender loving CLA - stiff rewind and shutter does not fire if held depressed for too long.

Does anyone here has experience of sending their M bodies to local technicians (local Leica agent or workshops)? Are the local techs reliable?

 

[bennycheng]

I thought Schmidt should be the people to go to?

I got an email from them when I asked them for Servicing of the R6.2 saying to bring it over anytime.

Chop carrot time.

 

[glchua]

Just wondering if their techs are experienced enough. I let them relubricate my 35 cron under warranty, seems okay. I just wonder if anyone has any bad or good experiences with them.

Some Leica users told me not to send to anyone local before.

 

[Terence]

A friend should be picking up his M4-P in a few weeks which was sent in for an extensive CLA with Schmidt. I'd update on the outcome. With the amount they charged, one could've easily purchase a mint condition body on the market... ie not cheap.

 

[glchua]

A friend should be picking up his M4-P in a few weeks which was sent in for an extensive CLA with Schmidt. I'd update on the outcome. With the amount they charged, one could've easily purchase a mint condition body on the market... ie not cheap.

Shutter overhaul? Last time their senior tech, over a chat, quoted me about $1k-2k to replace the shutter unit for a M3. That's when he adviced me to get a cosmetically bad and cheap M3 DS and send in for overhaul. From a user's point of view, that make sense as it'll last for another 10-20 years and you don't have to baby your camera. From an accountant's point of view, that would be bad advice.

Your friend probably loved his M4 alot.

 

[szekiat]

i dunno about you guys but i find the folks at cam-x and prime do a decent job. They will have my business before schmidt simply because of the turnover. I might be wrong, but schmidt used to send all repairs to germany and that adds up to the high costs.

 

[glchua]

i dunno about you guys but i find the folks at cam-x and prime do a decent job. They will have my business before schmidt simply because of the turnover. I might be wrong, but schmidt used to send all repairs to germany and that adds up to the high costs.

What I understand from Schmidt is that for works requiring calibrations, they will send to Leica Germany. That would be applicable also to shutter replacement. There would also be a certificate issued for the work. The turnaround time for sending would be weeks, even months.

Szekiat, Have you send to cam-X before?

 

[dreamseeker]

OT a little, but when I send in my Minox, they seem to always send it back to Germany for repairs.
They mentioned that they could'nt do it locally. Thus the cost of repair is pretty high.

So not too sure about them CLA locally.

 

[szekiat]

Yes. General servicing = CLA in sg i believe.

 

[bennycheng]

Since we are on the topic of TLC for Leicas...

Would anybody be able to advice if Schimdt can actually change parts?

I would really love to change my M7 controls to MP style type.

 

[Terence]

Would anybody be able to advice if Schimdt can actually change parts?

I would really love to change my M7 controls to MP style type.

Anything is possible. I daresay the cost of that conversion would make ordering it as a la carte a more costworthy affair.

 

[bennycheng]

An Andrew Chan wrote back from Schimdt and said, "no".

 

[ricohflex]

An Andrew Chan wrote back from Schimdt and said, "no".

I know Andrew.
Maybe company policy.
So no choice. He is ok.

You can try the various excellent specialists advertising in Shutterbug.
But it is risky to send your cam so far away in US to modify.
Maybe cheaper to buy the MP than modify M7 to MP controls?

 

[Terence]

Saw a recently CLAed M4 today. The work was done through TCW and it looked pretty good. Internal mechanism was lubed and cleaned. Shutter speeds recalibrated. Leatherette replaced, I think the strap lugs were new too. Owner was pretty happy. Total cost approx $300.

 

[bennycheng]

I know Andrew.
Maybe company policy.
So no choice. He is ok.

You can try the various excellent specialists advertising in Shutterbug.
But it is risky to send your cam so far away in US to modify.
Maybe cheaper to buy the MP than modify M7 to MP controls?

Haha...thanks for the suggestion. I am crazy...but maybe not that crazy. :thumbsup:

 

[whitecastle]

Hi all,
Anyone sent their M body to Schmidt for CLA? Are they competent? I was quoted S$180 to CLA my M6 classic. Many people feel that sending back to the mother plan would be better (of course!) But the question is. Is it worth it? Especially if you just need a simple periodic 'tune up'.

Cheers

 

[ricohflex]

Hi all,
Anyone sent their M body to Schmidt for CLA? Are they competent? I was quoted S$180 to CLA my M6 classic. Many people feel that sending back to the mother plan would be better (of course!) But the question is. Is it worth it? Especially if you just need a simple periodic 'tune up'.

Cheers

YES.

with a top grade camera always try to go back to agent, if the agent is reliable.

When Leica agency passed back from JJ to Schmidt Scientific, I heaved a sigh of relief.
(the agency for Leica was previously with Schmidt Scientific)

I don't know about JJ. Only heard some stories from my angry friend who owned quite expensive set of Rollei 6800 + fancy lenses.
But it may just be hearsay.

Anyway, my mental impression has always been to equate Schmidt Scientific, with Leica. Somehow never associated the other former agent with Leica.
It's like a person does not think of dustbins when he thinks of a bowl of wantan mee. There is no mental picture or association of A with B because there seems no relation. But maybe that is only me. I do not know about others.

I do know the service of Schmidt Scientific was excellent (before they lost the agency to some company and then won it back again). Do not know about quality of Schmidt Scientific service now.

 

[singscott]

JJ do s*x, every thing about repair is sent to gremany or japan. ;( Then dun even seem to stock any thing. Try to get accessories of stuffs they agent, wait wait wait wait.........................

 

[singscott]

OT a bit. Schmidt Scientific does have a better service. I have a Gossen luna six meter. They can't repair it and don't have the old model I have. Guess what they gave me a brand new and a newer model luna six meter :bigeyes: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[fstop]

A friend should be picking up his M4-P in a few weeks which was sent in for an extensive CLA with Schmidt... With the amount they charged, one could've easily purchase a mint condition body on the market.

I sent my brother's well-used old M4-P to Schmidt in March and was told the extensive repairs needed would have to be done in Germany. Got the camera back last week and am very pleased with the work done... it handles like new.

The work done:

• replacement of the rangefinder.
• attach new leather "'O' series structure finish" (not vulcanite)
• replace shutter curtain 1 and 2.
• replace shutter brake.
• clean delay mechanism.
• replace rubber covering.
• adjust shutter time.
• adjust friction.
• adjust / clean rangefinder.
• adjustment of all parts.

Repair cost: S$1,630
Postage + Insurance: S$180
GST: S$90
Total: S$1900

Yeah, could have bought another one at that price, but then there will be the uncertainty of how it was previously looked after. Besides, my brother has grown rather fond of this camera, which was bought brand new more than 20 years ago.