Canadian upgrading M8 - send to Jersey or Solms?

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Hello,

 

I'm interested in upgrading my M8 with quiet shutter, etc and I'm getting ready to coordinate sending my camera in for the work to be done.

 

I read a few complaints on forums about some of the repairs conducted out of Leica's North American service facility in New Jersey, compared to more M8 users who have written about their satisfaction with upgrades done in Solms. I also have an issue with a line appearing in my M8 sensor and would like this fixed or re-mapped... I've heard that Solms is more thorough than NJ in fixing such issues on M8 bodies. Perhaps one service centre may be a better choice?

 

My question to other M8 users based in North America is: did you send your M8 to New Jersey or Solms for your upgrade work? Does it matter where I send my M8? Did you have M8 upgrade in NJ and if so, were you happy with the work?

 

Thanks

 

Roger

[johnalex141r]

Hi Roger;

 

Just a "this is my experience to date" posting.

 

My M8 is now in the hands of Jean at the LeicaBoutique in Montreal. I dropped it off in person. Nice person, nice city to visit.

 

Originally, I had sent it by FedEX to Leica NJ; they wanted brokerage fees, plus import duty into the USA. I asked for it back, (which took a few weeks) and dropped it off in person to a company that knows who to deal with at Leica and how to get things there and back!

 

He mentioned, if I remember correctly, that Leica NJ is swamped, and at times things go (either from Leica NJ, or from his store??) directly to Solms in Germany.

 

I have no idea how long it will take, but do not expect the camera back before July.

 

JohnS.

[Jamie Roberts]

Roger, call Kindermann Canada in Markham and see if they will handle getting the camera to Leica for you.

[don_panko]

I had Kindermann handle a Leica repair for me (not m8) and it went very smoothly. Lens work can be done in Markham but they do not open digital cameras unless it's a simple mechanical repair.

 

Gerry Smith was my contact

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Thanks for the replies.. very helpful info!

 

Cheers!

[LeicaMSeattle]

I have received very prompt and complete service from LeicaUSA N.J. It helps to call and email Mark Brady and Shirley DeSilva with your concerns to determine how quickly you need your equipment returned. I have had my M8 completely upgraded as well as lenses encoded in two weeks time. My M8 works well as do my lenses.