KEH - Repair Center

[arpey]

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I have an R5 that needs a CLA, plus perhaps a repair/adjustment to the frame counter.

 

I live within an easy drive of KEH and simply would be more comfortable taking the camera into their shop than I would be sending it away to DAG or Sherry Krauter. I'm just old fashioned I guess -- it always seems that face-to-face encounters work out more successfully.

 

Anyway, since I've never patronized KEH's repair center before, I was wondering whether anyone here's ever used their shop for CLA and repair work. I'd love to hear from some of you about your prior experiences with this aspect of their operations.

 

Thanks in advance for the advice.

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[bull40]

Hello Randy,

 

Although I have never sent any equipment in to KEH for repair, I can probably shed a little light about my experiences with them. I recently purchased several pieces from them- an RE, R4s MOD. P and a Motor Winder R with grip, as well as some Nikon pieces for my wife. I was extremely impressed by the cleanliness of the equipment, and the great care in which they were prepped for shipping. The bodies were obviously just CLA'd with fresh seals and the work was done with great care. My communications with them were excellent. I actually initially tried to purchase a R5, but prior to shipping they ran a full check on it and found some discrepancies with the metering and/or shutter speeds. They contacted me promptly by phone to advise me of the issues and that they were going to see if it was something they could handle in shop. I decided to get the R4s instead of waiting on servicing. I have to give them the highest of rating based on my experieces. Having said that, I always send all of my Leica equipment directly to Leica Service in NJ. I have never experienced any of the problems expressed here by other members. I've just always felt that if I'm spending top dollar on the best- Leica- that it would be best to let them service them. The work is always done expertly, in a reasonable amount of time, and the Leica repair warranty is always nice to have. In fact when I decided to sell a 28 R lens, having the remainder of the Leica service warranty on it was a great selling point. So either way, I think you should have good results.

 

Best of luck!

John

[ssismk]

I have never used KEH for repair either, but I have purchased used Leica equipment from them in the past as well as sold equipment to them. They are very reliable and honest.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Scott

[harrisfoto]

I recently sent them a Fuji GS645S that had locked up. They repaired the camera and returned it promptly.

Don at DAG does great work, and will follow-up if there are issues.

Also Leica in NJ does great work -- higher prices, longer delays.

If you can walk it in, that may be preferable to sending it, but I try to use a Leica specialist where possible, as they may have more parts.

I recently stopped by a camera repair shop in NYC on 13th st, and asked them if they repaired Leica M3's. They admitted that they send them to Leica in New Jersey.

[arpey]

Stephen, Scott, John -- thanks for the recommendations and advice.

 

As R5s in excellent condition seem to be valued around $500-$600 right now in the US, I'm a little leary of investing too much money in this body ... that's been my main reluctance to send the camera to Leica USA.

 

It wouldn't seem to make much sense to sink $400-$500 in maintenance on a camera that would be worth only a little more than that afterwards.