Best (least expensive) place for IIIf rebuild in USA?

[m-bartelt]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here, but not new to forums... I tried a few search terms in the vbulletin advanced search and came up empty...

I have a IIIf with a lagging secondary curtain? One repair shop said it would cost $425+ and needed a complete rebuild.

Anyone know who would be the most recommended on this forum, and hopefully at a better price without being a hack?

Yes, I'm aware that quality work will cost, and you shouldn't be cheap when it comes to repairing expensive items, but I'm sure a few of you would have a reputable source with better prices than I can find locally...

Regards,
Mike

Oh, here's a crappy digital picture of it, just cause I know you guys would want to see it anyways.

[luigi bertolotti]

I'm not American, so obviously no direct experience... but I never read of someone unsatisfied by :

DAG Camera Parts
Telephone 608-835-3342
FAX 608-835-3342
Postal Address 2128 Vintage Drive Oregon WI 53575 USA
Customer Service dagcam@chorus.net

Your IIIf looks fine: if you are willing to use it, a well done job is worth by definition.... and given you have a 50mm 1,4, maybe the shutter repair can be the occasion also for a control of the RF...

[m-bartelt]

Hi thanks! I believe all the lenses I have for it are RF lenses... I do have several others lenses, as well as a Canon RF that uses the same lenses, and I do want to repair it so I can actually use it.

Originally Posted by luigi bertolotti

I'm not American, so obviously no direct experience... but I never read of someone unsatisfied by :

DAG Camera Parts
Telephone 608-835-3342
FAX 608-835-3342
Postal Address 2128 Vintage Drive Oregon WI 53575 USA
Customer Service dagcam@chorus.net

Your IIIf looks fine: if you are willing to use it, a well done job is worth by definition.... and given you have a 50mm 1,4, maybe the shutter repair can be the occasion also for a control of the RF...

[rtphotos]

Hi Mike,

Check out Andrew Nemeth's Leica FAQ. He lists a number of top repair technicians:

Leica FAQ - Where can I get Leica repairs done?

I've sent my Leicas to DAG (Don Goldberg) and Golden Touch (Sherry Krauter). They are the best in my experience. My IIf is currently in Ms. Krauter's shop - going on month 3, though. I think both these shops are quite busy (and for good reason).

good luck on getting your IIIf up and running,
rt

ps. do a keyword title search on this forum for "DAG" or "Sherry Krauter" for additional info.

[dlove5]

I sent my IIIg to DAG last year and he did a superb job. He is not the cheapest or the fastest, but he worked with me on what things to replace. Allow three months. I highly recommend him.

[mflannery]

I sent my IIIf to Youxin Ye for a CLA and shutter replacement. Total turnaround time including the mail was one week, and done at a very reasonable price. I highly recommend him.
Mike Flannery

[brianv]

I've also had very good experiences with Youxin Ye rebuilding a Leica III, including replacing the beamsplitter. Very reasonable prices and fast turnaround.

[garyp]

You can also send to Kinderman Canada.
They are official repair station of Leica and do still service LTMs.
Mark your customs form with "To be repaired and returned to US"
I have done this several times [I'm in Tennessee] and have had zero problems.

[brianv]

I just got my two IIIf's back from Youxin. One had a shutter capping problem at 500 and 1000; the second needed a new beamsplitter and was "rough" winding. Both are loaded and ready to go. They look, feel, and sound great.

[m-bartelt]

I'm also looking for an era-correct collapsible lens for it...

Should I be looking for a Summitar or Elmar?

[cbretteville]

Either one will be 'correct'. The Elmar makes for an incredibly compact system. If you can 'live' with an f3.5. lens.
- Carl

[m-bartelt]

Originally Posted by cbretteville

Either one will be 'correct'. The Elmar makes for an incredibly compact system. If you can 'live' with an f3.5. lens.
- Carl

I was looking at a F2 5cm Summitar and a F3.5 5cm Elmar... Which is the better unit though?

I do have the Nikon 5cm F1.4 RF that's pictured with it, a Canon Serenar 28mm F3.5 wide angle RF, as well as 8.5cm and 13.5cm non RF Nikon screwmount lenses...

Anyways, sorry if it's a silly question. I remember very little about interchangeable lenses...

[rtphotos]

Hi m-bartelt,

If you haven't yet, try doing a search in the archives. Good info found there. Here are a couple to get you started:

50mm lenses.

50mm

And you'll probably get more comments if you repost your question rather than continuing this dialogue here.

all the best,
rt

[ddp]

You might want to check these guys out :

Essex Camera Services Inc. - Home

On the LHSA list, and I saw a IIIF they recently overhauled....very nice work.

[m-bartelt]

Originally Posted by rtphotos

Hi m-bartelt,

If you haven't yet, try doing a search in the archives. Good info found there. Here are a couple to get you started:

50mm lenses.

50mm

And you'll probably get more comments if you repost your question rather than continuing this dialogue here.

all the best,
rt

Hi RT, I actually read those threads last night.

I'll actually post a new thread soon, I'm still working on the questions though.

Thanks!

~michael