Best CLA service in Europe?

[BjarniM]

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Hi there!

 

I have a Summicron-M f/2 35 mm Version 4 (made in 1995) which i have very precious, which also explains why i want it serviced in the best possible way.

 

Sorry if this is a repeating question, but i have found different opinions about the different company's that are offering CLA for Leica lenses in Europe.

 

Which service partner would you choose in Europe (the closer to Denmark, the better) to do a CLA on your most precious lens, that can not be replaced?

 

What is it based on?

 

Thanks in advance for your answers 

Edited May 12, 2015 by BjarniM

[dpitt]

IMO Will van Manen, Zoetermeer Holland. Google on Kamera-Service

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[jaapv]

Will van Manen imo, based on personal experience over the years.

[BjarniM]

Thanks.

 

Yes, i already had my eyes on them and i've been emailing as well with a Cathy, and it seemed ok.

 

That was until i googled the company and stumbled upon some not so good reviews i was in doubt.

Edited May 12, 2015 by BjarniM

[Chronomania]

Well the bad review was not even written by one of their customer... Will is fast, not too expansive, he works very well, and has serviced all my lenses to my entire satisfaction.

[earleygallery]

What's wrong with the lens? Oily aperture blades? Loose aperture ring? 

[Ecar]

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You could always send it to Leica.

Regarding independent specialists, I have tried a few can only add to the praise for Will and Cathy.

They did a CLA of my v4 35/2 last year - along with several other lenses over time.

They are very competent, reliable and a pleasure to deal with.

[jaapv]

 

Thanks.

 

Yes, i already had my eyes on them and i've been emailing as well with a Cathy, and it seemed ok.

 

That was until i googled the company and stumbled upon some not so good reviews i was in doubt.

 

I suppose you refer to that bit of absolute nonsense on photo.net in 2007. If you read it correctly, Will tried to do a customer a service by communicating for him. For the rest it is a collection of innuendo by somebody who was unhappy about a camera he bought on ebay -not from Will, despite claims on the contrary (Kamera Service does not sell used cameras)-

The Internet sometimes works that way, I fear...

[helged]

Will van Manen is quick and does the job with full satisfaction; at least based on the bodies and lenses (and accessories) I have shipped to him over the last years. 

[BjarniM]

What's wrong with the lens? Oily aperture blades? Loose aperture ring? 

 

Some dust both inside and outside. Also i'm wondering if the lens could be sharper, meaning if the lens could benefit from cleaning the elements since it's 20 years.

 

The aperture ring isn't so consistent through all the apertures. The aperture ring isn't so smooth from f/8 and upwards as it is in the lower apertures.

[BjarniM]

You could always send it to Leica.

 

 

What will i get from Leica that i can't get from other good service partners that offer CLA on lenses?

[earleygallery]

Some dust both inside and outside. Also i'm wondering if the lens could be sharper, meaning if the lens could benefit from cleaning the elements since it's 20 years.

 

The aperture ring isn't so consistent through all the apertures. The aperture ring isn't so smooth from f/8 and upwards as it is in the lower apertures.

 

Well my own opinion with lenses is to leave well enough alone if at all possible. Slight dust isn't going to affect anything, so it won't be 'sharper' afterwards. If you're lucky it might even come back with more dust than it has now! Of course the aperture ring is another matter and if it's grinding on something it should be looked at.

[earleygallery]

What will i get from Leica that i can't get from other good service partners that offer CLA on lenses?

 

A larger bill

[BjarniM]

Well my own opinion with lenses is to leave well enough alone if at all possible. Slight dust isn't going to affect anything, so it won't be 'sharper' afterwards. If you're lucky it might even come back with more dust than it has now! Of course the aperture ring is another matter and if it's grinding on something it should be looked at.

 

I think there is so much dust inside, that i think and hope a CLA would help.

 

Can you please tell me, why you're saying, that the lens might come back to me with even more dust than now?

Edited May 13, 2015 by BjarniM

[bobbywise]

IMO Will van Manen, Zoetermeer Holland. Google on Kamera-Service

Yes, he's great. He serviced a Minolta M-Rokkor 28 mm that I purchased from a seller in Italy (the seller sent it direct to him before I got it). He really does top notch CLAs.

Edited May 13, 2015 by bobbywise

[rickp13]

5* from me for cathy and will at kamera service.    they've 6-bit coded everything i've requested; straightened out BADLY bent filter rings; adjusted and adjusted and adjusted a noctilux until focus was perfect again; reglued separated lens elements, and performed top CLA work on many of my lenses throughout the years.  don't hesitate, trust them.

 

greetings from hamburg

 

rick

[earleygallery]

I think there is so much dust inside, that i think and hope a CLA would help.

 

Can you please tell me, why you're saying, that the lens might come back to me with even more dust than now?

 

Leica have special rooms for lens assembly (and I assume lens repair) to minimise dust, but dust still gets in of course. I doubt any indie repairer has such elaborate facilities. Dust is all around us so it can't help but get inside. That's why I say if you let someone take your lens apart it might even come back worse than when it went it.

 

There have been plenty of threads on the forum over the years of people complaining about just such issues. 

 

Obviously severe dust/haze is another matter and needs attention. 

[Ildjarn]

I am trying to access kamera-service website and it's not working. Does anyone knows if they're still operating? Is there's really no reasonable alternative?

[Ecar]

It's still working for me:

https://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/

And yes, they are alive and kicking. Actually, I'm expecting another batch of CLA'd lenses from them tomorrow.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[hossegor]

when i sent them my Lens, the original issue was not fixed, turnaround was about 3 months,  and the Package i received back, the lens and its pouch  smelled like cold cigarette smoke. so my personal experience with Will van Manen was not the greatest to be honest.