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Just to let all know, I sent a 28/35/50 Tri-Elmar-M, Version II, to New Jersey for a CLA and 6-bit conversion to use on my M10. I promptly received an estimate, email updates that I could follow its progress, and received the lens back (this past week) in 2.5 months. This is great considering the lens was sent to Germany for the service. My previous experiences with Leica Customer Care, a CLA and eyepiece adjustment on a 135mm Elmarit-M and a sensor replacement on an M9, were just as satisfying. They are Tops in my Book!

Just wanted to thank the great folks at Leica Service in Allendale, NJ! I sent my M 90mmAA lens in for 6 bit update, focus adjust, focus helical fix, and to fix an unusual flare problem. I also sent my broken 50mm lux to be repaired under Passport warranty. In talking with Carmen Vargas I knew this would take at least 4 weeks, which, under the circumstances, I was happy with. Later though when calling Carmen for an update, she told me they were having a problem recreating the flare in my 90mmAA (which is not known to have flare problems). She connected me with Head of Service Bill Weier and I later sent him my photo files with flare examples which he shared with Leica Germany. Bill also rush fixed my 50lux over a weekend because I was about to leave for the LOOK3 photo festival and wanted to have my 50 for the event. At LOOK3 I discovered Leica Product Specialist Justin Stailey was there and discussed my 90 flare problem with him. Justin emailed Bill on the spot. In the meantime, Bill was going thru my 90 while in communication with Leica factory specialist trying to find anything that might cause flare. Between Bill, Justin, and Leica Germany, they came up with a fix that Bill performed himself. Carmen called me and gave me 2nd day tracking info showing I would get the lens on Monday August 14. Because I live in SE USA, my package happened to be on the tragic UPS plane crash in Birmingham, AL in which both pilots were killed. Almost in disbelief, I called Carmen with the news. I had no idea what would happen next but Carmen took the info to her management. With UPS' priority rightfully on their pilots and the possible cause of the accident, I figured my package was way down at the bottom of the list and expected several months to go by before I heard anything about an insurance claim. I was also sorry for Bill who worked so hard on my lens. A week later Carmen informed me that my new replacement lens had shipped! I know the insurance claim hadn't had time to be resolved but the Leica folks in Allendale had stepped up to make sure I wasn't without my 90mmAA any longer. To say I was happily surprised is an extreme understatement! So my THANKS! goes out to Carmen Vargas, Bill Weier, Justin Stailey, and all the other great folks at Leica Service in New Jersey !!!!

I have just spent almost an entire day at the Leitz-Park in Wetlzar, and thought I would share some thoughts and observations.... I made an request for an appointment well in advance, and explained which products I use (M + various lenses; S + various lenses), and that I would love to have a short tour if possible. My appointment was 8am today. It seems like a rather early start, doesn't it? But in actual fact the workshop staff begin work at 6am and finish between 1pm and 3pm. I was looked after by Mrs. Olga Brunda, a customer care staff member who is a great credit to Leica. She is knowledgeable, passionate about Leica, very courteous and thoughtful. As we began the tour and were chatting she was working out as we went where to spend time and where to skim. She said that she diverted some of our time away from historical matters (because I had read a lot on the subject - Mr. Puts excellent books and so on), and focused instead on technical ones - things we were seeing. In other words, my tour was tailored. She later said that an hour had been allocated, but we spent more than that, and it was absolutely fascinating. First of all the Leitz-Park is a superb super modern design (as you'd expect), that sits up on a plateau above the old town of Wetzlar. Nearby are other optical-technical companies that sprang out of the Leitz business, either directly, or in association. Part of my tour took me past some windows into manufacturing and repair areas that anyone visiting can see. A clever interactive projected touch-and-play screen sits superimposed over the window into an area where glass elements were being lacquered. By touching the window on the projected menu you can watch a series of videos on lens manufacture. But Mrs. Brunda also took me past other windows where aspherical elements were being ground, various lens assembly bays, repair bays for M, and S cameras and lenses. Of course some windows were shuttered to protect prying eyes from you-know-what! Meanwhile, prior to the tour, Mrs. Brunda offered if I would like an Leica cameras or lenses attended to. I gave her my MP-240, which was checked, sensor cleaned, and a 35mm Summicron ASPH which was checked and re-calibrated. I also gave her my S-E, 24, 45 and 100mm S lenses which I had with me and these were all checked, and the sensor cleaned. While waiting for all that work to be done, a specialist in the Leica S showed me how to change the focusing screen (I purchased the matt screen while I was there), and then another gentleman from the Leica Akademie spent a few minutes with me giving me a few tips on technique. I then spent time in the Leica shop. This deserves special mention because not only were the staff very helpful, but you can try any and every product Leica make - every camera, every lens, accessories, binoculars. They have the lot. Most Leica boutiques have a few items you can try at any one time, but how often do you find they don't have what you want, or moreover, don't have two items you might want to compare? Today, for example, I took the 4/90 Marco-Elmar-M and the 2/90 APO-Summicron-M ASPH ,together with the Leica Macro adaptor M, and took various photographs both indoors, and outdoors, at different distances and apertures, so I now have a pile of files I can compare. This will help me decide if and when I buy another 90mm. But equally, should I have wanted to, I could have gone through the entire S lens range, etc. There is also the staff canteen, which you have access to (I had lunch in there for a very reasonable price) as well as a Leitz-Park Cafe for coffee and cake (I didn't go in). Also on display is a great collection of cameras, lenses, binoculars, and all sorts of Leitz stuff on display going back to the beginning. Have you ever seen the back of the S1 for instance? In all the photographs I have seen of this only the front is shown. There were a lot of items there I had ever seen before and it was very interesting (for me!). There are, as you would expect, many photographs on display, including exhibitions from the Barnack competition, and various historic photographs taken by 20th and 21st century Leica users. I spent probably half a day there. That's probably more than most would want or need, but I didn't feel any time was wasted. Even without an appointment I would recommend a visit - the exhibitions, displays, video/window peeping (one window) is there for visitors to see, and the flagship store there is great for trying items out. But I would recommend making an appointment if you can.