Leica_Guy_Dallas Posted September 12, 2021 Share #41 Posted September 12, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just have had my 2nd experience with DAG Camera in the last 6 months and both were outstanding. The most recent was a rebuild in a 1958 M2, he did an amazing job!! the total time from shipping to receiving was about 4 weeks, I was expecting a much longer turn around time. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 12, 2021 Posted September 12, 2021 Hi Leica_Guy_Dallas, Take a look here DAG Camera Repair. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Al Brown Posted October 11, 2021 Share #42 Posted October 11, 2021 Ordered a spare item for a film Leica, Don contacted me immediatelly via email and shipped this out in the form we agreed. All positive from me, item arrived fast. 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! 3 Quote 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/312310-dag-camera-repair/?do=findComment&comment=4290351'>More sharing options...
haikos Posted June 16, 2022 Share #43 Posted June 16, 2022 Everyone's cost of living has gone up - by a lot. Probably needed to adjust his prices like most everyone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 16, 2022 Share #44 Posted June 16, 2022 9 hours ago, cbass said: Does he have different prices for repeat clients? I asked for a quote for a CLA and he quoted me $200. Then I see someone with the same lens that paid $100 for their CLA the same month that just got it back. Probably varies by work required. Smarter to quote high and ultimately charge less than to exceed quote. I’ve always found his charges reasonable, lower than Leica service and with better results. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
insideline Posted June 16, 2022 Share #45 Posted June 16, 2022 I have had a great number of lenses CLA'd by Don with mostly great results, although this year he has raised his CLA cost for a lens from $200 to $300 even if it just needs fresh grease which I find a bit on the high side yet he is knowledgeable and quite fast so all in all a good choice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mech-Dragon Posted June 16, 2022 Share #46 Posted June 16, 2022 (edited) I was quoted $250 ea for the two lenses I sent to him (a LTM Nikkor 5cm 1.4 and a Cron DR) back in February. Got them returned back to be this week quoted just about the same price, with $250 for the Nikkor and $225 for the DR. He could have needed to raise rates, which is understandable considering he's still extremely busy. First time using his services, and I'm really itching to try out the DR as I never got to use it! Edited June 16, 2022 by Mech-Dragon Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 16, 2022 Share #47 Posted June 16, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’ve had good experiences dealing with Don directly. I’ve called him in advance to discuss service, rate and timing, and he’s met or exceeded expectations. But I did send a lens to a dealer for consignment in February, and they decided to send it to DAG before sale for a CLA. He’s had it since then despite two dealer calls to expedite repair. Disappointing, but I suspect he’s overloaded, and that some repair orders get quicker attention than others, which is why I prefer dealing directly rather than through third party. Jeff 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
insideline Posted June 17, 2022 Share #48 Posted June 17, 2022 Interesting on price variances as I sent about 20 lenses in the past few years and 8 just this past months lenses ranging from German V4 35 Summicron, 35 1.4 pre-asph Summilux both I had owned since new and had barely been used and only needed fish grease and both were $300 each, then 3 - F Noctilux's $300 each again, a 50 1.4 pre-asph $300 etc all the same $300 so I'm not sure why you were able to get so much better pricing but good for you. I do get them back quickly within two weeks for what thats worth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstock Posted June 25, 2022 Share #49 Posted June 25, 2022 I've been using Don since the mid 90's when I first started using Leica's. I either call or email, and he always provides an approximate turn around time, plus cost estimate. I just recently had an aperture ring start sliding on my 28 f2 SUMMICRON. I emailed Don, got a reply in a couple of days, shipped the lens off, and had it back within ten days. I will never begrudge Don for charging whatever, be it a body or lens repair. Remember, you are not the only person sending him work. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdmesa Posted June 26, 2022 Share #50 Posted June 26, 2022 On 6/17/2022 at 9:44 AM, insideline said: Interesting on price variances as I sent about 20 lenses in the past few years and 8 just this past months lenses ranging from German V4 35 Summicron, 35 1.4 pre-asph Summilux both I had owned since new and had barely been used and only needed fish grease and both were $300 each, then 3 - F Noctilux's $300 each again, a 50 1.4 pre-asph $300 etc all the same $300 so I'm not sure why you were able to get so much better pricing but good for you. I do get them back quickly within two weeks for what thats worth. How smooth is the focusing after the application of fish grease? 😂 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted June 26, 2022 Share #51 Posted June 26, 2022 10 minutes ago, hdmesa said: How smooth is the focusing after the application of fish grease? 😂 I'm guessing it's much easier to tuna the focusing ring now. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
insideline Posted June 26, 2022 Share #52 Posted June 26, 2022 2 hours ago, logan2z said: I'm guessing it's much easier to tuna the focusing ring now. You both are priceless, but I deserved it. You never know Don might just use some exotic form of marine grease to lube these lenses, but I suspect not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdmesa Posted June 26, 2022 Share #53 Posted June 26, 2022 1 minute ago, insideline said: You both are priceless, but I deserved it. You never know Don might just use some exotic form of marine grease to lube these lenses, but I suspect not. Using fish grease makes it easier to get good cat photos! 🤣 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 26, 2022 Share #54 Posted June 26, 2022 Don explained to me that he still has a reserve of the old Leitz grease. It fixed the sticky focus action on my 50 Summilux ASPH, while an attempt by Leica NJ, using the newly formulated grease, did not. Some here told me that sounded ‘fishy’, but I trust Don. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted June 26, 2022 Share #55 Posted June 26, 2022 56 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muso Posted July 4, 2022 Share #56 Posted July 4, 2022 I had a pretty fast turnaround on a lens last year from Don, and it came back perfect. One thing I'd recommend to keep in mind: Read his instructions on how to send your stuff, and then follow them. Write a detailed description of the problem, if any. Make your shipment a complete package of item, written description, and your name, address, phone, and email, packaged such that it doesn't take him a half-hour to unwrap the bloody thing. If he can open the box and get the full picture in one shot, I suspect that will get you your stuff back a lot faster 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camaro5 Posted July 4, 2022 Share #57 Posted July 4, 2022 (edited) I just had an email exchange with Don today. He got back to me within minutes of my sending the initial request. He quoted $265 for a complete CLA on a 1997 80-200-R f/4 ROM. It is cosmetically perfect and works fine except for some very faint haze around the edge of the middle element. It doesn't affect the images (yet) and it will be easier to fix it now rather than later. The $265 cost is reasonable; about what I expected. He says these lenses are a bigger job to fix and if he can fix it along with the lube & adjustments the cost is fine with me. Edited July 4, 2022 by Camaro5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosmoM3 Posted July 5, 2022 Share #58 Posted July 5, 2022 Just sent out my early build date Summilux 50mm ASPH to Don yesterday and he quoted me a three week turnaround. Didn't ask for price but he's the only person I know outside of Leica that can do a CLA on FLE lenses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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