marknorton Posted October 25, 2013 Share #1 Posted October 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I sent my old 50mm Summilux-M - pre ASPH, the version dating from about 1961 - back to Leica for a CLA, including adjusting focus for the M8/M9 and they've come back with a quote of €435 which seems quite expensive. I daresay it will be in fine condition and all the rest but it does seem a lot. At least they are adjusting the focus of an M9-P I sent in at the same time free of charge, not to mention the APO 50 "rebuild". Since the lens is with them, I will probably have it done but may look for less expensive alternatives for non-ASPH lenses in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 Hi marknorton, Take a look here Leica CLA Getting Expensive. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted October 25, 2013 Share #2 Posted October 25, 2013 I'm not sure how Leica set their prices. Personally I suspect it has much to do with how busy they happen to be and whether they want more work or not. When I contacted them about a service on an M2 I was quoted over double the price that someone else told me they'd been charged for the same work a few months earlier - I happened to ask just as the M8 'issues' were coming to light! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted October 25, 2013 Share #3 Posted October 25, 2013 Hi Mark, That does seem expensive. When I was at Solms last month, I gave the Customer Care dept my M9 and 50mm Summicron (1996 vintage) for a health check while I went on the factory tour. On going back to collect it I was told that there was a sensor fault with the camera and a focus fault with the lens. I left them with them and got the estimate when I got home. The camera repair was free and the lens CLA and focus matching to the camera was 163 euro, plus tax and shipping. The 50mm summicron is my most used lens, which I bought new with my M6 and has been all over the place, and so I thought it worth having cleaned and matched. Susie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted October 25, 2013 Thanks, this lens requires the focussing mount to be relubricated and the aperture click stop replaced; even so... I think what you paid for the Summicron seems more reasonable. Edit: I've gone back to Leica to ask why it is so high (€326.35 + €40 Shipping + VAT), whether it's something particular about the lens or just a standard CLA charge. Perhaps they think with an APO in there as well, I have money to burn... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted October 26, 2013 Share #5 Posted October 26, 2013 Hi Just paid euro 525,- for a CLA incl transports on a rather unused last version Elmarit-M 90! Other lenses being in Solms have been for free... so, somewhat hard to get... But by all means; all stuff in perfect shape when back. Stein Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted October 26, 2013 Share #6 Posted October 26, 2013 Not sure if it is accurate, but I read somewhere that they sometimes ship out some of the older gear to third parties to get repaired. Could explain why the price is slightly higher..... fwiw I pay around 125 Euros for a CLA on a lens with Will van Manen in the Netherlands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGodParticle/Hari Posted October 26, 2013 Share #7 Posted October 26, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Not sure if it is accurate, but I read somewhere that they sometimes ship out some of the older gear to third parties to get repaired. Could explain why the price is slightly higher..... fwiw I pay around 125 Euros for a CLA on a lens with Will van Manen in the Netherlands. So many people are satisfied with the services of Will van Manen! Does he also do digital M bodies? I'd like to get my M9 serviced but I don't want to wait months till Leica do it and send it back to me. Maybe I should go to Solms personally ... I live ~100 km away What do you guys suggest? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted October 26, 2013 Share #8 Posted October 26, 2013 So many people are satisfied with the services of Will van Manen! Does he also do digital M bodies? I'd like to get my M9 serviced but I don't want to wait months till Leica do it and send it back to me. Maybe I should go to Solms personally ... I live ~100 km away What do you guys suggest? I'm pretty sure he doesn't service digital bodies - his website only talks about analogue repairs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGodParticle/Hari Posted October 26, 2013 Share #9 Posted October 26, 2013 I'm pretty sure he doesn't service digital bodies - his website only talks about analogue repairs OK, thanks for the info Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted October 26, 2013 Share #10 Posted October 26, 2013 I sent my old 50mm Summilux-M - pre ASPH, the version dating from about 1961 - back to Leica for a CLA, including adjusting focus for the M8/M9 and they've come back with a quote of €435 which seems quite expensive. Depends on what you think they will do. My guess is that Leica service a lens and return it to its full specifications. So everything should be checked and adjusted to original spec., all of which takes time and costs accordingly (at factory rates). They probably check everything whereas an independant technician probably inspects and checks and adjusts only what appears to need doing. So my guess is that whilst checking the aperture diaphragm by eye will satisfy an independent technician (who will determine whether it looks ok, if there has been no complaint about its performance) Leica probably check it and adjust to within whatever tolerances they set as acceptable. [FWIW, I use an independent local garage to service and repair my car - they check to see what needs doing rather than just do everything, so may for example say that I have some life left in my brake disks but that they will need replacing in x thousand miles, rather than simply replace them at the fixed service interval which is how some main dealers apparently do things. I can see the logic, and for peace of mind a full service which replaces everything may suit some, or the common sense and cheaper independent may suit others like me (my garage is a LOT cheaper and have serviced and repaired my cars for nearly 20 years).] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted October 26, 2013 Share #11 Posted October 26, 2013 FWIW, I tend to bite the bullet and always send recent/ASPH lenses to Solms. However, older lenses always go to an independent shop (Peter Grisaffi or Will van Manen). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 26, 2013 Share #12 Posted October 26, 2013 I checked some of my Leica NJ invoices for CLA and last year they were around $325 depending on amount of labor required. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted October 27, 2013 Share #13 Posted October 27, 2013 €435 for CLA is like robbery, with added violence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hossegor Posted October 27, 2013 Share #14 Posted October 27, 2013 i had 3 lenses (75 lux, 50 lux asph, 90 elmarit m) coded and adusted to my m9, which includes a checkup i think. the price was 1024 euro . i met an older gentlemen while waiting for some info, and he told me whatever he brings them, it is usually never under 500 euros. last year i had a quote to get my summicron reparied and coded. it had a small dent where you screw in the filter. they quoted me 800 euros for that. i refused to pay that, and i have been shooting fine as is since then Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted October 27, 2013 Share #15 Posted October 27, 2013 Malcolm Taylor (UK) serviced a Canadian 50 Summicron which I had bought and found to be mis-focusing at all lengths, close–infinity, for £100 a few months ago. He asked 'was it urgent?' but job was done within one week. Not only is focusing now perfect but he'd tightened sloppy aperture ring as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mijo Posted October 29, 2013 Share #16 Posted October 29, 2013 I checked some of my Leica NJ invoices for CLA and last year they were around $325 depending on amount of labor required. I just sent my M6 back to NJ today for CLA and repair, as the frame selector isn't working correctly. I hope the estimate is only marginally more than what you paid. Do you know if you can pay extra to have work expediated? I'm hoping to get my M6 back before they shut down for the holidays. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted October 29, 2013 I've had a response from the ever-helpful Andrea Frankl - what a great asset to Leica she is - and she tells me grease in the focussing mount has solidified which requires an extensive cleaning process (given, I assume, spare parts are not available) which then increases the cost. This doesn't come as any surprise. The lens is 21 years old and should probably get more use than it does. I quite like the old pre-ASPH look. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted October 29, 2013 Share #18 Posted October 29, 2013 Agree she is an asset. Met her face-to-face for the very first time this Summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ash Posted November 1, 2013 Share #19 Posted November 1, 2013 I just got my summicron 75 Asph back from CLA at a cost of 370EUR. Quite costly but the lens is a gem now again. Further they realigned the sensor of my old, heavily used M8.2 free of charge including new leatherette cover. Overall I am very happy as the whole system feels like new again. Regards, Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted November 2, 2013 Share #20 Posted November 2, 2013 Sherry Krauter did a Pre Aspherical Summilux 50 for me right after Superstorm Sandy hit New York. I just was in the neighborhood. She disassembled and bathed it to remove oil on the blades and cleaned, lubed and adjusted it. $140.00 I think. Never ever show up a little early for an appointment with her. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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