Stealth3kpl Posted August 8, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 8, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) My M2 has a light leak that Malcolm Taylor failed to correct. I'll probably send it back to him after speaking to him tomorrow. However, it is a lovely camera and I don't mind spending money on things I love so I find myself sitting here thinking about sending it to Solmes. It has a coffee stain in the rangefinder system that I suppose is canada balsam deteriorating so perhaps thay could fix that. I'm sure someone on the forum sent their M3 in and they remachined the brass plates and it came back looking like it had just stepped out of 1962. I wonder how much a Leica revamp would cost. £1000? Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 8, 2013 Posted August 8, 2013 Hi Stealth3kpl, Take a look here M2 trip to Solmes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gsgary Posted August 8, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 8, 2013 M2/3/4 Rangefinder Restoration Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maarten Posted August 8, 2013 Share #3 Posted August 8, 2013 Hi Pete, your guestimate is spot on. My M2 rangefinder was broken after a fall (the balsam of the prism gave up). Solms suggested a repair with an M6 rangefinder. With all the other adjustments and cleaning they suggested, the cost culminated to exactly £1000. Over the phone they promised me an as new camera afterwards. I decided not to have it repaired with an M6 viewfinder partly because of the cost, partly because I did not want the 3x2 frames viewfinder on my trusty M2. Maarten Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted August 8, 2013 Share #4 Posted August 8, 2013 As mentioned above already, Luton's is the only place that I'm aware of that does that sort of work without doing a donor camera replacement (or putting in the M6 finder as Solms will suggest.) You should contact them Leica R , M , CL , IIIg , IIIc , All Screw-thread Leica , Minox , Leicaflex Repairs This is the problem with the M2 and M3. You never know when the balsam glue might start to cause separation in the finder. The answer has always been to find a donor camera for a finder replacement. I had a M2 with the same issue and ended up selling it as is since to me the high repair costs didn't make sense. For me, I felt I was better off just finding a good M4 to replace it. I'm curious as to what Luton might say, so if you do contact them please report back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaff Posted August 9, 2013 Share #5 Posted August 9, 2013 As mentioned above already, Luton's is the only place that I'm aware of that does that sort of work without doing a donor camera replacement (or putting in the M6 finder as Solms will suggest.) You should contact them Leica R , M , CL , IIIg , IIIc , All Screw-thread Leica , Minox , Leicaflex Repairs This is the problem with the M2 and M3. You never know when the balsam glue might start to cause separation in the finder. The answer has always been to find a donor camera for a finder replacement. I had a M2 with the same issue and ended up selling it as is since to me the high repair costs didn't make sense. For me, I felt I was better off just finding a good M4 to replace it. I'm curious as to what Luton might say, so if you do contact them please report back. + 1 for Luton. My M3 finder was crazed etc and he fixed it, as well as some other things. If you want to contact him, call him rather than sending an email. Falstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
becker Posted August 9, 2013 Share #6 Posted August 9, 2013 I saw a M2 which was in Solms, there was a lot done on it. After It looked extremly nice, Rangefinder clear like new, and so on everything was in perfect and nice condition. The bill was a under Your mark, the M2 worth it, as it is an outstanding mechanic Masterpiece. Kr Matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 38 Posted August 10, 2013 Share #7 Posted August 10, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) CRR Luton is very good , so I would go there . He has done very good work for me in the past. I am not sure if High Street Radio in Croydon may be able to do it . They have a new repairer who has serviced some lenses for me Croydon Photo Centre The cameras are holding their value . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted August 11, 2013 Share #8 Posted August 11, 2013 If you use Luton, and the work is top class, just be prepared to wait. I have an M2 in for finder separation and Black Paint just approaching the second anniversary now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaff Posted August 11, 2013 Share #9 Posted August 11, 2013 If you use Luton, and the work is top class, just be prepared to wait. I have an M2 in for finder separation and Black Paint just approaching the second anniversary now Interesting. He told me it would take between 2-4 weeks and it was closer to 4 weeks. He took the finder apart and fixed it, changed the curtains, patched up the outer covering, serviced it etc. Were it not for the body cosmetics, you'd think it was new and not made in 1957. Falstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted August 11, 2013 Share #10 Posted August 11, 2013 Interesting. He told me it would take between 2-4 weeks and it was closer to 4 weeks.He took the finder apart and fixed it, changed the curtains, patched up the outer covering, serviced it etc. Were it not for the body cosmetics, you'd think it was new and not made in 1957. Falstaff Must be waiting for the paint to dry on mine then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falstaff Posted August 11, 2013 Share #11 Posted August 11, 2013 Must be waiting for the paint to dry on mine then? ....... Hope you get it back soon. Falstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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