ingemit Posted February 3, 2009 Share #1 Posted February 3, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi forum, My father-in-law recently gave me his whole Leica kit (late chrome M5, several lenses, accessories) which he bought new in Hong Kong in the early 70s. Perhaps it's not especially valuable to the collector, but it has great value to me and my family. It has never seen service in that time and still can boast shutter speeds accurate enough for negative film. Nonetheless, it is sorely in need of truly complete service as I intend to shoot with the camera. I have been so impressed by Henry Scherer's web site on Contax cameras and the detail in which he describes his service. The Zeiss Ikon Contax Camera Repair Website - Services I Offer My question: Is there anyone who invests this kind of time and detail in Leica service? I have the names of some excellent repair people (Don Goldberg, Sherry Krauter), but is this level of disassembly and cleaning something one can find in Leica repair? Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. ingemit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 Hi ingemit, Take a look here Full overhaul on valuable Leica.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TimF Posted February 3, 2009 Share #2 Posted February 3, 2009 Leica might seem the obvious choice if you don't mind it costing more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingemit Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted February 3, 2009 TimF, Thanks for suggesting Leica, which I hadn't really considered. I'm in the U.S., so this would be Leica New Jersey, I think? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 3, 2009 Share #4 Posted February 3, 2009 I would suggest Don Goldberg. He does not provide the level of detail that is available on Scherer's site, in fact he is not good on communication, period. But his work is perfect. Perfect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted February 4, 2009 Share #5 Posted February 4, 2009 Leica might seem the obvious choice if you don't mind it costing more. I wouldnt. Leica dont always check their work. You are in the US I would be contacting DAG/SKrauter and ask them directly, and run with whoever inspires you with the most confidence. Regards. Ps ... Oops. UK. I'd guess that makes the Americas less convenient but it is only a post. From Aus costs me a bit under over $100 with tracking, plus insurance if you can get it. I havent bothered with insurance last couple of times back to Solms so that they could fix their fix of their fix. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingemit Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted February 4, 2009 It turns out that stopping by either Mr. Goldberg's or Ms. Krauter's workshop would not be difficult in the upcoming months as both are pretty close to places I visit often. I'm curious though if the parts for the M5 are harder to find than the others in the M series. I've heard that Golden Touch has an affinity for the M5....strange beast that it is.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddoc2003jp Posted February 4, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 4, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) M5 ? From all what I have heard, Sherry Krauter might be the best choice. I had my - simple build, electronic free - Leica M4-P sent to Leica Japan for service ... Nothing was really wrong with the camera, just vertical RF alignment off (I thought ...) The service cost was ~$750 (~ $500 for service and ~ $250 for a new wind unit) Well, it works better than my former MP now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted February 4, 2009 Share #8 Posted February 4, 2009 If you don't mind sending it to the UK (chepa at the moment) then try Peter Grisalfi at CRR in Luton. Price Guide 2008 - Leica Repairs His pages don't quote for the M5, but I think he services and rebuilds them too. I've had him fettle my M2 and his prices and work are very reasonable. If he's good enough to service the Queen's Leica, then I thuink he's good enough for me. Try emialing him if you want more info Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted February 4, 2009 Share #9 Posted February 4, 2009 Kindermann Canada Swarovski Kahles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted February 4, 2009 Share #10 Posted February 4, 2009 Kindermann Canada Swarovski Kahles I second Kindermann Canada. Gerry Smith is the person I have met, and he did an outstanding job on my M2 (CLA and finding a occasional and pesky light leak). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingemit Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks for the replies. It's difficult for me to justify sending it out of the U.S. considering possible customs issues, or so I've heard. CRR Luton has come up due to the work they do on viewfinders. Mine will hopefully by clear after cleaning, but one never knows. It would be nice to know sending that I'd be sending it to someone who could make it right no matter what. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted February 4, 2009 Share #12 Posted February 4, 2009 I would suggest Don Goldberg. He does not provide the level of detail that is available on Scherer's site, in fact he is not good on communication, period. But his work is perfect. Perfect. Don. I gave him 6 lenses and 1 body. I will send him a 7-th lens next week. His work is flawless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted February 4, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 4, 2009 t's difficult for me to justify sending it out of the U.S. considering possible customs issues I'd agree if you can find someone local, there are enough good references. What customs clearance issues do you have when sending recieving international? What did customs say about it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted February 4, 2009 Share #14 Posted February 4, 2009 I'd agree if you can find someone local, there are enough good references. What customs clearance issues do you have when sending recieving international? What did customs say about it? UPS has a special form for the customs, stating repair and repair cost. When shipping to the US, clearance is immediate. When shipping to Europe, no hassle : you pay VAT and customs on the repair's value only (marginal). FedEx don't do it. I did it twice with UPS : a breeze. But I'm in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikFive Posted February 5, 2009 Share #15 Posted February 5, 2009 I would pick Sherry since it seems like Don has to much to do these days. I have heard of people waiting 5 months to get their cameras/lenses back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted February 5, 2009 Share #16 Posted February 5, 2009 I would pick Sherry since it seems like Don has to much to do these days. I have heard of people waiting 5 months to get their cameras/lenses back. Never did it with me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted February 5, 2009 Share #17 Posted February 5, 2009 Customs from US to Canada is no problem with US postal service. There's a simple little form that you fill out. You just state that the item is going to Canada for repairs and then it is to come back into the US after repairs are completed. I have done this several times and equipment gets to Kindermann within a week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingemit Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted February 6, 2009 Wow, it looks like I will be going through Markham (where Kindermann is) this summer on the way to Niagara Falls. Is Gerry Smith still running the service department? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted February 6, 2009 Share #19 Posted February 6, 2009 Gerry at Kindermann is excellent, being very meticulous. I have used DAG and Kindermann; both do top shelf work but Kindermann is much faster in my experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted February 6, 2009 Share #20 Posted February 6, 2009 Wow, it looks like I will be going through Markham (where Kindermann is) this summer on the way to Niagara Falls. Is Gerry Smith still running the service department? He was when I met him in December. And he is too young to retire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.