I love my R5 ...

[arpey]

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... but, lately it's been acting a bit tempermental.

 

I inherited this R5 body, along with a SL2 and a good collection of R-lenses, from my father about 18 months ago. I really enjoy both cameras, but the R5 has had some "issues" since the day it came to me, including:

 

a. All of the foam seals are sticky and starting to deteriorate;

b. The frame count indicator usually won't reset to zero when I open and close the back of the body - but, sometimes (1 out of 50 times) it does reset;

c. When I look through the viewfinder, I see a LOT of distracting debris -- I've removed and cleaned the focusing screen, but the specs are still there; and

d. Sometimes, the shutter freezes and it takes about 15-minutes of "fiddling" before it starts working again -- I'm still not sure what restores the shutter function.

 

I'm assuming I should have this camera CLA'd ... but really don't know where I should take it. I live in the Southeastern USA, so KEH is fairly close by and I know they have a service department. But, I read on this forum that there are other places (much farther away) that perhaps I also should consider. I know I don't want to send it all the way to Germany.

 

My questions:

1. how many of the problems outlined above are likely to be fixed by a CLA?

2. how much can I spend to bring this camera back to tip-top shape before the cost of repair starts becoming impractical relative to the camera's value?

3. given the issues I'm dealing with, where's the best place to have this work done?

 

I'd really appreciate some advice on these issues from some of you more experienced Leica hands.

 

Thanks,

[ruiespanhol]

... but, lately it's been acting a bit tempermental.

 

I inherited this R5 body, along with a SL2 and a good collection of R-lenses, from my father about 18 months ago. I really enjoy both cameras, but the R5 has had some "issues" since the day it came to me, including:

 

a. All of the foam seals are sticky and starting to deteriorate;

b. The frame count indicator usually won't reset to zero when I open and close the back of the body - but, sometimes (1 out of 50 times) it does reset;

c. When I look through the viewfinder, I see a LOT of distracting debris -- I've removed and cleaned the focusing screen, but the specs are still there; and

d. Sometimes, the shutter freezes and it takes about 15-minutes of "fiddling" before it starts working again -- I'm still not sure what restores the shutter function.

 

I'm assuming I should have this camera CLA'd ... but really don't know where I should take it. I live in the Southeastern USA, so KEH is fairly close by and I know they have a service department. But, I read on this forum that there are other places (much farther away) that perhaps I also should consider. I know I don't want to send it all the way to Germany.

 

My questions:

1. how many of the problems outlined above are likely to be fixed by a CLA?

2. how much can I spend to bring this camera back to tip-top shape before the cost of repair starts becoming impractical relative to the camera's value?

3. given the issues I'm dealing with, where's the best place to have this work done?

 

I'd really appreciate some advice on these issues from some of you more experienced Leica hands.

 

Thanks,

 

The foam seals cam be easy replaced and the dust spots inside viewfinder also(Cleaning prism and viewfinder).

Both of this problems cam be solve by CLA.

The shutter problem cam be also, but you have check the baterry?

 

 

Best,

[arpey]

Rui -- thanks for this feedback.

 

Yes .. the first thing I did after the shutter got stuck the first time was put in fresh batteries .. so, I'm not inclined to think that's the problem with the shutter.

 

You didn't venture an opinion about the frame count indicator problem ... would a CLA likely address that issue ... or, would a more extensive (and expensive) repair be indicated?

 

Thanks for the advice.

[richie]

Send it to Leica USA in NJ for a CLA. They will fix all problems.