Leica M8 Service NJ Experiences?

[mattwong92]

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I have been shooting on my Leica M8 since 2014. I bought is used on KEH as a college graduation present to myself and have traveled the world with it. It has served me well and only suffered from the usual:

- banding issues

- sometimes battery issues (2 bars then just dies)

I have since gone to Sony mirrorless cameras but still shoot my M film and M8 when I can. However recently I realized that the meter (inside the viewfinder) one of the diodes had gone out for the underexposed arrow. The center dot + right arrow were still displaying as expected.

I decided to send my Leica M8 into NJ to get the diode serviced and this was about 3 weeks ago. I was originally quoted $500 for the CLA, cleaning, possible service fees added. I finally got word from them about the inspection and they stated I needed:  

- Adjust/ Cleaning + labor $625

- Leather covering replacement $50

- Entire sensor replacement $1157.41

- New hotshot $250

- Flexible board?? $11.50

- Carrier (to display the frame lines) $6.75

- Rear cover (entire rear body cover) $108

For whopping grand total of $2244.26!! (with shipping back) That is more than most used M8's on the market right now! 

I emailed the service department and asked what they found that needed an entire new body + image sensor as the camera was working perfectly fine when I sent it in.

 

To which they replied: "The technician stated it is out of tolerance and not working properly. They are not sure what caused the error, just that it needs to be replaced."

 

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced service from Leica? I feel like they just disassembled my M8 and broke a bunch of things and said I now needed to replace basically everything out of pocket? 

[jaapv]

Leica will normally bring the camera back to factory specification when it is sent in for service; that you did not notice anything wrong does not mean that there was nothing wrong. There might have been an invisible (to you) crack in the bodyshell;.there may have been some oxidation on the flex connectors, the sensor may have dead pixels above the mapping tolerance etc. However, in this case, judging by the estimate, I suspect moisture damage.
In your place I would just accept the examination costs and request the return of the camera as-was. After all, a  LED not. working in the viewfinder is no big deal on a digital camera of this age.

The good thing about your post is that M8 cameras are apparently still fully serviceable. That is great news for all M8 fans  

[mattwong92]

Thank you for the info! 

Do you happen to know if I can request only for some things to be replaced and others just left as is? Mainly the sensor as its more than half the cost of the service.

 

 

[jaapv]

That depends - I have had success doing this, others not. Talk to them on the phone; they are quite approachable.

[Jeff S]

I agree with Jaap that a personal conversation is the best approach to work out something that might be more satisfactory.  If Leica will provide a significant warranty on repairs, that would be better IMO than taking a chance on another used camera.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have them do anything.

Or, do you have any insurance?  If not, consider this in the future.  Mine would pay for declared full replacement value in this instance.

Jeff

[david strachan]

19 hours ago, mattwong92 said:

I have been shooting on my Leica M8 since 2014. I bought is used on KEH as a college graduation present to myself and have traveled the world with it. It has served me well and only suffered from the usual:

- banding issues

- sometimes battery issues (2 bars then just dies)

I have since gone to Sony mirrorless cameras but still shoot my M film and M8 when I can. However recently I realized that the meter (inside the viewfinder) one of the diodes had gone out for the underexposed arrow. The center dot + right arrow were still displaying as expected.

I decided to send my Leica M8 into NJ to get the diode serviced and this was about 3 weeks ago. I was originally quoted $500 for the CLA, cleaning, possible service fees added. I finally got word from them about the inspection and they stated I needed:  

- Adjust/ Cleaning + labor $625

- Leather covering replacement $50

- Entire sensor replacement $1157.41

- New hotshot $250

- Flexible board?? $11.50

- Carrier (to display the frame lines) $6.75

- Rear cover (entire rear body cover) $108

For whopping grand total of $2244.26!! (with shipping back) That is more than most used M8's on the market right now! 

I emailed the service department and asked what they found that needed an entire new body + image sensor as the camera was working perfectly fine when I sent it in.

 

To which they replied: "The technician stated it is out of tolerance and not working properly. They are not sure what caused the error, just that it needs to be replaced."

 

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced service from Leica? I feel like they just disassembled my M8 and broke a bunch of things and said I now needed to replace basically everything out of pocket? 

I think that repair cost is about where the s/h market is for a good M8.  You'll end up with a warranty.  And the camera will look lovely.

You've used and loved your M8 for a long time just see it as a long term servicing cost.

...

[tommonego@gmail.com]

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I would call them and askabout the sensor, as JAAP said it is probably beyond remapping. But I would probably go for it, get an almost new M8 with a warranty, better than paying $1600 to $2000 for a replacement used one. Of course you could ask for it back and use it until it dies, could be a year, could be 10. The battery issue seems endemic to older M8s, if I don't have a full battery sign,I replace the battery.

[palmerfralick]

On 3/4/2022 at 1:46 PM, Jeff S said:

I agree with Jaap that a personal conversation is the best approach to work out something that might be more satisfactory.  If Leica will provide a significant warranty on repairs, that would be better IMO than taking a chance on another used camera.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have them do anything.

Or, do you have any insurance?  If not, consider this in the future.  Mine would pay for declared full replacement value in this instance.

Jeff

What kind of insurance?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[palmerfralick]

On 3/9/2022 at 10:19 AM, tommonego@gmail.com said:

I would call them and askabout the sensor, as JAAP said it is probably beyond remapping. But I would probably go for it, get an almost new M8 with a warranty, better than paying $1600 to $2000 for a replacement used one. Of course you could ask for it back and use it until it dies, could be a year, could be 10. The battery issue seems endemic to older M8s, if I don't have a full battery sign,I replace the battery.

I just bought a new battery from B&H $150.00. it works great all the way to one bar. 

[Jeff S]

1 minute ago, palmerfralick said:

What kind of insurance?

Mine is a collections policy through my home policy carrier.  Covers my photo gear, vintage silver prints, book collection, etc.  Full replacement, no deductible, worldwide.  Insurance policies and costs vary greatly by location, by company, by individual circumstances, etc. 

Jeff

[69xchange]

any updates? thinking of sending my m8.2 in for service too but dont want them replacing everything...

[Photomonster2022]

Hi. I used them for a cla for my M8.  I was happy with the service. It was done within about 3 weeks and the cost was not excessive imo. Also had them remap a couple hot pixelss. Part of the service does require doing a new leather cover.  Love the m8 btw - both color and b&w look fantastic with that sensor.

[farnz]

3 hours ago, Photomonster2022 said:

Hi. I used them for a cla for my M8.  I was happy with the service. It was done within about 3 weeks and the cost was not excessive imo. Also had them remap a couple hot pixelss. Part of the service does require doing a new leather cover.  Love the m8 btw - both color and b&w look fantastic with that sensor.

Welcome to the forum, Photomonster2022!

Thanks for the useful feedback.

Pete.

[69xchange]

22 hours ago, Photomonster2022 said:

Hi. I used them for a cla for my M8.  I was happy with the service. It was done within about 3 weeks and the cost was not excessive imo. Also had them remap a couple hot pixelss. Part of the service does require doing a new leather cover.  Love the m8 btw - both color and b&w look fantastic with that sensor.

Weird, I sent my m8.2 in and they never replaced the leather cover.

[jaapv]

That means they did not open the camera. As soon as the repair is on the internals the cover has to be removed to split the bodyshell.   The cover is not reusable. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[69xchange]

On 11/29/2022 at 1:08 AM, jaapv said:

That means they did not open the camera. As soon as the repair is on the internals the cover has to be removed to split the bodyshell.   The cover is not reusable. 

Does that mean they never did a “full” CLA, even though it says “checked, adjusted, cleaned” on my receipt ?  My view finder still seems dusty, but then again I never requested to have my viewfinder cleaned. My main request was for sensor remapping which costed me $400 and they said they will do a CLA.
 

Perhaps Leica have a “basic” cla for all cameras being sent in for other things and a “dedicated” CLA for extra charge if requested?

Edited December 5, 2022 by 69xchange

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaapv]

Checked, adjusted and cleaned is standard procedure for all Leica repairs and does not include opening the camera as there is no technical reason to do so. There is nothing inside a digital M that needs CLA activity that cannot be done from outside. The top can be removed without splitting the bodyshell.

 

[69xchange]

3 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Checked, adjusted and cleaned is standard procedure for all Leica repairs and does not include opening the camera as there is no technical reason to do so. There is nothing inside a digital M that needs CLA activity that cannot be done from outside.

 

Ah , got it. Thanks!
 

I guess photomonster2022 had something wrong with his M8 shutter or made a special request to open it up and had the leatherette replaced.

[jaapv]

If the shutter has to be replaced (it  is a non-serviceable unit, except for the nylon lever, which can be accessed for freeing up from the underside), it means opening the camera.

 

[mattwong92]

So I got my Leica M8 back after 10 months of service. 

They replaced a bunch of parts including the back panel, with a new LCD cover and buttons. The skin has been rewrapped which is great.

However the initial issue I sent the Leica in for (the arrows in the viewfinder are not displaying perhaps dead diodes) is still broken....

I emailed Leica and they want me to send the camera back again for inspection.

So back to New Jersey its going...