M2 CLA service in Munich Germany

[frank2014]

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As I wrote in my previous post I bought a used M2 recently. It is in a mint condition but (1) The shutter curtains are not not synchronized. The left side of the photos taken with it at 1/1000s are black but the right side looks normal. (2) The viewfinder is not clean and a little bit foggy. I can see a dust on the yellow rangefinder patch.

 

So, I think the camera need a CLA service. However, I cannot find a good CLA service for vintage leica cameras locally. I contacted the Leica representative in Hong Kong and they told me that they have CLA service for Leica cameras and the charge for CLA is up to $HK 1800 (= about 182 Euros). I think this is a reasobable price from a Leica repair. However, they stressed that since M2 is a very old camera it may need be sent to the Leica factory in Germany since the factory has better parts and they recoommended me to send the camera to Leica in Germany directly. From their words I think the Leica in HK can do CLA but do not like to do CLA for vintage cameras like a M2.

 

I travel to Munich Germany occasionally so I think I may bring the camera to Leica Germany for CLA when I travel next time. So, I contacted the Leica Germany for information about M2 CLA. The Leica Gernmany responded me kindly but the price for the CLA quoted by them shocked me:

 

CLA – will probably cost about € 850,- (without German VAT)

 

Shutter curtains – will probably be about € 250,- (without German VAT)

 

Viewfinder – will probably cost about€ 400,- (without German VAT). The viewfinder will be cleaned as well as possible. Any balsam fractions will stay.

 

Though I already expected the CLA by the Leica factory would be very expensive but did not expect it to be so expensive. So it seems that having the camera serviced by the Leica factory is out of consideration.

 

Now, my question is: Does any of you know a good and trustable non-Leica place in Munich Germany which can do a CLA for M2? If I can find such a place and the price is reasonable I may consider to bring my camera there when I travel to Munich Germany next time.

 

Best regards,

 

Frank

[frank2014]

It is strange. Why can't I make contents into several paragraphs?

 

Edit: Now I know how to make it into paragraphs.

[costakarl]

Send it to Gerry Smith service@kindermann.ca

 

He keeps my m2 in perfect shape

[davidmknoble]

Dumb question, is it less expensive to buy another M2 that is in better working order?

[joeswe]

back to the original question:

Frank, Leica prices are not for the faint hearted, what you quote is in line with other reports. If you come to Germany on a regular basis, it seems indeed perfectly sensible to have it CLA'd by an indie repair shop here. You would avoid the hassles, cost and risks that come with sending a camera abroad. I have three M cameras which were CLA'd in recent years by three different shops and among them is one shop that I would recommend. I paid around 200 Euros for a perfect job. Unfortunately the shop is not located in Munich, but I will PM you.