Charles Morgan Posted May 31, 2020 Share #1 Posted May 31, 2020 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) First, an introduction. I am a keen amateur from the UK of varying competence, and own numerous Leicas in M, LTM and R forms. But my pride and joy is a Leicaflex SL2 that I bought from the Leica Store in the Holy City of Wetzlar itself. I love the build, the focussing screen, the ergonomics, the looks and the metering. Sadly it has started with blank frames and areas of deep shade in photos indicating it has got shutter issues at several different speeds. Evidently it is in need of a service. I have asked on the Rangefinder forum about repairers - my stipulation being ones with a good track record in repairing these, and it being a predominantly US based membership, had recommendations for both DAG and Sherry Krauter as trusted. What I have not got is any recommendations for repairers of like experience in the UK or Europe. In the first instance I'd rather send it to someone in a customs area to avoid duty and other nasties of shipping outside the EU, (for as long as we maintain a transition), so it was suggested asking here by someone there, and I'm sure they must exist somewhere! I'd be so grateful for help - it is a beautiful camera that deserves a service! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited May 31, 2020 by Charles Morgan 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/310137-leicaflex-sl2-repairer-recommendations-in-europe/?do=findComment&comment=3983827'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 31, 2020 Posted May 31, 2020 Hi Charles Morgan, Take a look here Leicaflex SL2 repairer recommendations in Europe. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted May 31, 2020 Share #2 Posted May 31, 2020 https://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/ http://paepke-fototechnik.de/ 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted May 31, 2020 (edited) Wonderful - thank you very much Jaap. The mildly amusing part of it all is that it all went wrong just after taking a self-portrait with my new self-administered haircut...It didn't stand a chance poor thing! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited May 31, 2020 by Charles Morgan 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/310137-leicaflex-sl2-repairer-recommendations-in-europe/?do=findComment&comment=3984020'>More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted June 3, 2020 I've been in touch with Paepke and Van Manen. The former wants to see the camera before he even gives a rough estimate, but by the time you add in the delivery there and back plus a €45 charge for examining it, it becomes too much of a barrier to seeking a quote. Van Manen have given an estimate plus likely costs, and now I need to decide if it's better to replace than repair. The problem with that, in my experience is you may not be doing anything other than buying in a new set of problems. Like old cars (my previous way to lose a lot of money on repairs) old cameras can't half complicate life! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBestSLIsALeicaflex Posted June 3, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 3, 2020 3 hours ago, Charles Morgan said: I've been in touch with Paepke and Van Manen. The former wants to see the camera before he even gives a rough estimate, but by the time you add in the delivery there and back plus a €45 charge for examining it, it becomes too much of a barrier to seeking a quote. Van Manen have given an estimate plus likely costs, and now I need to decide if it's better to replace than repair. The problem with that, in my experience is you may not be doing anything other than buying in a new set of problems. Like old cars (my previous way to lose a lot of money on repairs) old cameras can't half complicate life! That's the one of the problems with the old Leicaflex cameras -- any of them; they're very expensive to repair. Apparently repairs require a lot of time dismantling. Bear in mind, the SL2 has a known "defect" resulting in blanks at the higher shutter speeds. Some repair techs will say a relubing of the shutter fixes the problem, others claim it can only be temporarily fixed. Great cameras though. The SL2 has a crazy sensitive meter, but I prefer the SL for that glorious viewfinder. I shot a pair so much over a 5-7 year period, they started to smoke! I still use them occasionally, but mostly now it's an M2. The stenosis in my back demands something lighter. Good luck with your decision. My experience is that most of the Leicaflex will need at least an initial service, and if you're an aficionado, then you just grin and bear the costs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mann61 Posted June 3, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 3, 2020 Hello Charles, I've got a beaten up SL2 and love it. It cost me 79E about 6 months ago. The light metering was not working and the wind-on was far from smooth. I have not be able to repair the meter so I use Sunny 16 or a handheld meter,no problem. I dribbled a few drops of lighter fluid on the wind-on mechanism and used it and used it. Now it's perfect even without a meter. My point being is that the continuing using and firing the shutter may help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Cathy Kuiper at van Manen reckoned it may never have been serviced. I have used it a lot since buying it and it did used to skip the occasional frame on 1/2000 and 1/1000, but it's now misfiring on 1/500 and 1/250, so I fear it is degenerating with use. I'm a great believer in using mechanical gear, but if the problem gets worse, it's time to draw stumps. To me the meter is just fabulous - I have used it with film pushed to 6400 in conditions of near darkness (so much so I could barely see the needle - I then had no battery in the chamber!), and it is my go to camera for insanely low light. So it's proved its worth time after time. It's an emotional decision, so my heart says get it done. Edited June 3, 2020 by Charles Morgan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) For some reason my file was too large and has now gummed up the thread - the pic is in the R Lens pictures instead! Edited June 3, 2020 by Charles Morgan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 4, 2020 Share #9 Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Sadly with Leica Reflex prices as low as they are, it would almost certainly be cheaper to replace than repair. I only paid £350 for mine with a 35/2.8 Elmarit-R lens a few months ago from a Polish seller. The only work needed was to remove the VF window (2 screws under the leatherette strip) and clean both the VF lens doublet and the back of the pentaprism, although a clean of the focussing screen to remove some dust particles would not go amiss at some point. The bottom face of the pentaprism could be cleaned at the same time. I do like the match needle metering. Wilson Edited June 4, 2020 by wlaidlaw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted June 4, 2020 I'm not so sure - my experience with camera buying even from good dealers is that too many don't last the course and need work sooner rather than later. Mine is in immaculate condition and the meter works perfectly. I doubt for the money I would spend on the CLA that I would get one in like condition, and with the certainty of a recent service by an excellent repairer. I can't and won't do work myself. The cost of purchasing the camera is sunk, so I merely compare like with like. My Leica III is 88 years old and works perfectly. I would love to get the SL2 to like age - not least then I would have had a very good innings myself! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 4, 2020 Share #11 Posted June 4, 2020 1 hour ago, Charles Morgan said: My Leica III is 88 years old and works perfectly. Did you buy it new? More seriously - get the SL2 serviced. It has a much better chance of a long life than any of the subsequent R series. In the USA DAG (one of the top Leica techs) will no longer work on the R models as he says they have too any problems that can crop up even after he fixes the original issue. I've used an SL since 1969, and recently got an SL2 - an impressive camera. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) Ha - it's older than my father (and, to be honest, in rather better condition!) I agree with you - I have an R4S (bought with Summicron 50mm so the body came free) and an R7 which I hardly use. I also have an R8 which I love, but someone has now offered me an SL2 MOT (with MOT), all functioning, so I may part with the R8 and remove the threat of Leica R electronics issues permanently from my life! I'v heard the same from other US Leicaflex owners about what DAG say, and that says it all. Edited June 4, 2020 by Charles Morgan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 4, 2020 Share #13 Posted June 4, 2020 (edited) I think I am correct that the R6 and the R6-2 are basically mechanical cameras with dual range TTL metering added. So that would be the one to buy if fear of dying electronics was a concern. It was in effect the mechanical version of the R5 and the R6.2 was the mechanical version of the R7. Wilson Edited June 4, 2020 by wlaidlaw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Morgan Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted June 4, 2020 The R6 only goes up to 1/1000, so offers less than an SL2, while the R6.2 is about twice the price with a viewfinder I find much less appealing to focus with. To be honest also, I just don't get excited by the middle Rs, whereas the Leicaflexes are to me Leica engineering at its most overdone. That other people find them great is good for them, but they don't excite me in any way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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