I think it would be very useful if one could keep a list of excellent (or "to avoid") Leica repair person, being official Leica repair center or independent persons. Some independent repairmen seem to enjoy a superb reputation. Jay, in a previous question wrote "I am American but know of only 3 in Canada--Lisle-Kelco, the official distributor; Gerry Smith of Kindermann in Toronto (the former distributor); and Reinhold Mueller, an independent (also in Toronto area)". Anyone has his/her list of well known repair persons?

-- Angelique (abischop@earthlink.net), September 05, 2001

Answers

Here is a list from another site. While you are there, go back to the top (manually scroll) and there are many questions answered about Leica equipment.

click

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), September 05, 2001.

Sorry, the link only went to the site rather than the specific section. Scroll down to the GENERAL section and look at the part about "where can I get Leica repairs done?"

There will be the list of repair facilities.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), September 05, 2001.

Here are a few that I know by reputation and through phone conversations. I've not used any for repairs.

Don Goldburg (DAG), phone 608-838-4769 2451 Thatcher Lane, McFarland, WI 53558

John VanStelten (FocalPoint), phone 303-665-6640 email: john@focalpointlens.com Louisville, Colorado

Sherry Krauter (Golden Touch Camera Repair), phone 914-496-8834 email: krauter@warwick.net RR 2 Box 803, 118 Purgatory Road, Campbell Hall, NY 10916

-- George Gilliam (geogilli@swbell.net), September 05, 2001.

Personally, I have never had my Leica camera repaired or maintained by anyone.My M6 is about 4 years old.I have had two lenses overhauled by Leica, New Jersey, and both lenses produce excellent results. I would not trust anyone with any of my Leica equipment except Leica.I have heard some horror stories about some of the "independents" and do not think it a wise choice to take a chance with my equipment.I am certain there are excellent repair people out there but the problem is finding them. I know Leica's reputation and I stand behind them.

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), September 05, 2001.

I can vouch for Gerry at Kindermann Canada. I have used him numerous times. Absolutely tops and Kindermann are one of very few , if not the only, place(s) left with parts for any Leica rangefinder right back to the beginning. They also warranty their work for a year. Highly recommended.

Cheers, Collin Orthner

-- Collin Orthner (corthner@home.com), September 05, 2001.

Sherry has the best of reputations, as an ex-Leica person with higher- than-Leica standards. I've used DAG (Don Goldberg) and was perfectly pleased. I had less success with the third person, but that's a sample of one trial from me, so it doesn't carry much weight.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

1) My M4-P had a problem with the rewind crank. My dealer shipped it to New Jersey for official service. Word came back; it had to go to Germany. Two months later, it came back in a sealed plastic "Leica" bag after a complete CLA. Only there was a new problem: the hot shoe was dead! 2) I bought a 90/2 Summicron from Europe, and the focus was stiff. Official Leica estimate: $150-$175, six weeks. I tried Strauss Photo Technical Service, Inc. in Washington, DC, because they were quite responsive to my inquiry. It cost $90, and was back in a week from when I shipped it, working fine. There's no doubt that delving into the shutter and rangefinder takes a specialist, but I don't see any magic to the official corporate route. I do see more time and money.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@metrocast.net), September 05, 2001.

I can vouch for Sherry Krauter's excellent work. She just repaired the (1955) M3 my father-in-law gave me. Not only did she clean and lube the lens but she also replaced the shutter curtains and the self- timer. The camera is a joy to use!

-- Bong Munoz (bong@techie.com), September 06, 2001.

I can vouch for Sherry Krauter and John van Stelten. Sherry has repaired and CLA'd two Leicaflex SL cameras for me. John has repaired a Leica M lens. Their work is excellent, and the charges reasonable. I have also had a Leica MR meter repaired by Quality Light Metric.

Leica USA in NJ has repaired a M6 TTL under warranty, but it took them 3 months! I thought that was outrageous. However, they have also CLA'd and completely overhauled two Leica M3 cameras. I was absolutely amazed when I got them back after a 2 month wait. I had sent them two ugly user cameras. I got back two M3's that looked and felt as good as my new M6 TTL. I can now understand why the M3 has so many devoted fans!....................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), September 06, 2001.

I highly recommend Youxin Ye in Massachusetts for Leica screwmount and M-series camera body repairs. He is a member of the Leica Historical Society, and I daresay he can write a huge book about all the screw mounts and M-series because he knows them inside out, literally speaking. He replaced curtains and CLA'd a IIIf Black Dial, a IIIf Red Dial, and an M2 for me. All work was excellent, all service was downright honest and fast (2 weeks maximum door to door)! He will give you an honest appraisal and never change anything out that doesn't need to be touched. I shoot regularly with one of the IIIf's and must say that the shutter speeds are right on! His prices were more than reasonable and he's a real gentleman to work with. You can find this Leica repair expert at (781)-830-9141 or email wye7@yahoo.com.

-- Eric Chan, Ph.D. (leicas@lycos.com), October 07, 2001.