stump4545 Posted March 16, 2016 Share #1 Posted March 16, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) My Leica m246 and 50cron apo, 28mm cron, and 90mm apo seems to be working fine. Should I send in my kit to DAG for service and make sure everything is calibrated every year or 2, or only if I notice an issue? Anyone here send there Leica kit in every 2 years just for a checkup or not necessary? thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 Hi stump4545, Take a look here When to send Leica M and lens in for check up....... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rafikiphoto Posted March 16, 2016 Share #2 Posted March 16, 2016 If it ain't broke don't fix it is my motto! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 16, 2016 Share #3 Posted March 16, 2016 Why should you send anything in if it is working fine? If it ain't broke don't fix it. My M3 has not gone out of calibration since I bought it in 1976... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted March 16, 2016 Share #4 Posted March 16, 2016 Hello Stump4545, The people who send their cameras/lenses in for preventive service every so often are usually people who use their cameras/lenses for umpteen gazillion exposures a year or are people who's cameras/lenses get substantially harder treatment or/& are under adverse conditions at a level significantly higher than average. Cameras & lenses, like watches & tennis rackets, are mechanical devices with a limited life span. Just like with people: Unnecessary taking apart & re-assembly can shorten that total life span. And not add to their usability. Best Regards, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECohen Posted March 16, 2016 Share #5 Posted March 16, 2016 My Leica m246 and 50cron apo, 28mm cron, and 90mm apo seems to be working fine. Should I send in my kit to DAG for service and make sure everything is calibrated every year or 2, or only if I notice an issue? Anyone here send there Leica kit in every 2 years just for a checkup or not necessary? thank you I felt the same way when I first to into Leica. One good bump and the rangefinder would knock out of alignment . This group set me straight....If it ain't broke don't fix it. Enjoy your new camera and when it needs to go in for repair....you'll know it. This group is great, keep asking questions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted March 16, 2016 Share #6 Posted March 16, 2016 When I can confirm that one of my cameras does not work properly, I put it in the drawer labeled, "Fuck it". There are no Leica cameras in that drawer yet. There are plenty of other brands, . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted March 17, 2016 Share #7 Posted March 17, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just a week or so ago I noticed that my 3 year old M240 was slightly out of focus while using my 75mm Summilux wide open. It was fine before so it must of gotten out of alignment sometime during my recent traveling and not was noticeable using my more often used lenses. Instead of sending it in, I just used my trusty allen wrench from my M8 days and gave it a little nudge back to perfect alignment. In answer to the original question, I wouldn't send it in unless you detect that it's off calibration. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted March 22, 2016 Share #8 Posted March 22, 2016 For pro shooters who make 3000-5000 exposures a week, yearly maintenance is a good idea. For we mere mortals who might make 200-500 exposures a week, maintenance somewhere in the 7-10 year range is more judicious, barring some kind of unexpected damage or mishap. Take care to not drop your M or your camera bag when your M is in it; knocking the rangefinder out of alignment is likely the most prevalent mishap that can necessitate sending your camera in for repair. This has happened to me a couple of times and it is frustrating to be without my camera for 2-4 weeks due to my own inattention or clumsiness. When maintenance is needed, both Sherry Krauter and DAG have outstanding reputations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schrödinger's cat Posted March 22, 2016 Share #9 Posted March 22, 2016 Unnecessary taking apart & re-assembly can shorten that total life span. And not add to their usability. Sounds like Hollywood cosmetic surgery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 22, 2016 Share #10 Posted March 22, 2016 A camera isn't like a car that needs regular servicing to ensure it's roadworthy. A digital camera is even less likely to need servicing, unlike an M with a mechanical shutter which can go out of tune over a period of time. Most electronic shutters are 'modules' which will be replaced if faulty. Basically, the only time you need to send it for service is if something is wrong with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 22, 2016 Share #11 Posted March 22, 2016 For pro shooters who make 3000-5000 exposures a week, yearly maintenance is a good idea. For we mere mortals who might make 200-500 exposures a week, maintenance somewhere in the 7-10 year range is more judicious, barring some kind of unexpected damage or mishap. Take care to not drop your M or your camera bag when your M is in it; knocking the rangefinder out of alignment is likely the most prevalent mishap that can necessitate sending your camera in for repair. This has happened to me a couple of times and it is frustrating to be without my camera for 2-4 weeks due to my own inattention or clumsiness. When maintenance is needed, both Sherry Krauter and DAG have outstanding reputations. Sherry Krauter won't touch digital cameras AFAIK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 22, 2016 Share #12 Posted March 22, 2016 Sherry Krauter won't touch digital cameras AFAIK. I recently spoke to her about my M6 and that's correct. Only film bodies and lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted March 24, 2016 Share #13 Posted March 24, 2016 Now that I think back, I do recall that Sherry is indeed an analog kind of gal. It has been too long since I talked with her last and I completely forgot that she works only on film M camera bodies. It makes sense, given that other than the rangefinder mechanism, digital and film M bodies don't share much in the way of parts and function. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 24, 2016 Share #14 Posted March 24, 2016 Now that I think back, I do recall that Sherry is indeed an analog kind of gal. It has been too long since I talked with her last and I completely forgot that she works only on film M camera bodies. It makes sense, given that other than the rangefinder mechanism, digital and film M bodies don't share much in the way of parts and function. I have tended to send my lenses to DAG for work since he calibrates them best for digital sensors. My M6 will be going to Sherry, however. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abram Posted March 25, 2016 Share #15 Posted March 25, 2016 When I was shooting commercially I took my Canon equipment in only when something was broken or not working properly (usually it was my lenses not the cameras themselves). Otherwise with digital equipment it doesn't seem to stick around long enough for me to NEED to get it adjusted / calibrated. We'll see how long my M240 sticks around, I've definitely been using it a lot as it is my main camera and it's got little scuffs all over, but I still take care of it. That being said, my film equipment I will have serviced as I intend to keep it around FAR longer than any digital gear. Same thing with my M lenses. When needed I will pay to have them serviced because they too will stick around. So on my end, with digital bodies, unless something is clearly not working right, I wouldn't worry about sending it anywhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DezFoto Posted March 28, 2016 Share #16 Posted March 28, 2016 I wouldn't send it in unless you're having issues, BUT, if you've got an important photo gig coming up, or a trip where you know you're going to have some amazing photo ops, then absolutely, get a "checkup". I also keep an EVF handy if I'm on a trip or doing a paid gig, that way if something doesn't seem right I can pop it on a shoot with confidence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DezFoto Posted March 28, 2016 Share #17 Posted March 28, 2016 For pro shooters who make 3000-5000 exposures a week, yearly maintenance is a good idea. For we mere mortals who might make 200-500 exposures a week, maintenance somewhere in the 7-10 year range is more judicious, barring some kind of unexpected damage or mishap. Take care to not drop your M or your camera bag when your M is in it; knocking the rangefinder out of alignment is likely the most prevalent mishap that can necessitate sending your camera in for repair. This has happened to me a couple of times and it is frustrating to be without my camera for 2-4 weeks due to my own inattention or clumsiness. When maintenance is needed, both Sherry Krauter and DAG have outstanding reputations. I'd like to add Steve's Camera in Culver City to this list for those in Cali. They're a little pricey but do good work, turn things around quickly and offer a 6 month warranty on their work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 29, 2016 Share #18 Posted March 29, 2016 I wouldn't send it in unless you're having issues, BUT, if you've got an important photo gig coming up, or a trip where you know you're going to have some amazing photo ops, then absolutely, get a "checkup". I also keep an EVF handy if I'm on a trip or doing a paid gig, that way if something doesn't seem right I can pop it on a shoot with confidence. If somethings that important then you really need to have a second camera body. If you've only got one body and something goes wrong, particularly a paid gig, what are you going to do? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DezFoto Posted March 29, 2016 Share #19 Posted March 29, 2016 If somethings that important then you really need to have a second camera body. If you've only got one body and something goes wrong, particularly a paid gig, what are you going to do? Personally, I do but I would rather shoot with my main camera if at all possible. It's always best to be able to use your main camera for an entire gig, rather then having to revert to a backup camera, so it's not a bad idea to make sure it actually works before a gig. I used to bring two M9's, but now I bring an M-P and M8 with a longer lens (for more reach). Plus I always have a D-Lux 109 handy. Depending on the shoot, I'll bring my Nikon and sometimes I rent a Hasselblad or Phase One depending on client needs. When traveling, I just bring the M-P and D-Lux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECohen Posted March 29, 2016 Share #20 Posted March 29, 2016 I wouldn't send it in unless you're having issues, BUT, if you've got an important photo gig coming up, or a trip where you know you're going to have some amazing photo ops, then absolutely, get a "checkup". I also keep an EVF handy if I'm on a trip or doing a paid gig, that way if something doesn't seem right I can pop it on a shoot with confidence. Now thats a great idea!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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