robola Posted July 14, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have had an M8 for about six months which I am generally quite pleased with. I purchased it with the new Elmar 24 3.8 and thought I would also use it with a pre asph Leitz Canada Summilux 35 1.4 and a similar vintage pre asph Summicron 50 2.0 that I have had as part of an M6 kit for more than 20 years. Both of the older lenses appear to have focusing issues on the M8, but with the perhaps looser tolerances of the M6 appear to at least be functional if maybe not optimally so. I initially thought I might have rangefinder alignment problems, but the Elmar 24 seems to focus and perform admirably. I have concluded that I should then send the older lenses to be checked and hopefully brought into tolerance to perform acceptably on the M8. I am uncertain where to send them and would lean to wards DAG since they are old etc. If however it turns out the problem is with the M8, then I would probably be better off sending them to Leica NJ since the camera would subsequently have to be sent-----any thoughts? I also know that the pre asph 35 1.4 Summilux may be uniquely problematic, so any input or advice regarding this particular lens would also be helpful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 Hi robola, Take a look here DAG or Leica, NJ or ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wstotler Posted July 14, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 14, 2009 Based on everything I've read here I think you're best off with DAG. He can CLA the lenses and I do believe he can 6-bit code them, also (if that needs to be done)--somebody else will have to confirm. I know people have sent their whole kit to him for adjustment. I would strongly suspect that his pricing will be better than Leica NJ's. But, don't know what his backlog is. I've been meaning to send in my 90 and 135 for CLA and coding for some time now--just haven't gotten to it. Maybe it's time. Wish I had something a bit more concrete for you, but I think your gut instinct to turn to DAG is a good one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patashnik Posted July 14, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 14, 2009 I can only speak from my own experience: DAG does great work, second to none. But I found the communication a bit, well, lacking. I was quoted 3-4 weeks turnaround on a CLA. I got the camera back 4 months later. No explanations were given to why it had taken 4 times as long as stated. Others have had the same gear returned within 1-2 weeks, so I guess some have all the luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 14, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 14, 2009 Honestly the 24 f/3.8 or the M8 would need to be way out of adjustment for you to notice it. Not so with your other lenses, at least not with the 50mm. I'd first send the lenses to DAG to have them calibrated to M8 standards and then when you get them back if they still don't focus correctly then send the camera in. But maybe the first thing to do is find someone with a known focusing correctly M8 and check all your lenses on that camera or someone with known focusing correctly lenses and check your M8 with there lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted July 14, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 14, 2009 Just tell Don (DAG) you are a member of the Leica User Forum and that if your equipment doesn't come back quickly and in good working condition you'll say bad things about him here. On a more serious note, Don is a friend of mine and has worked on my Leicas for about 25 years. He does excellent work. I am fortunate to live close enough to him that I can drop things off and pick them up when work is completed, so I never have long waits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljclark Posted July 14, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 14, 2009 The not-so-great thing about Don (DAG) is that his backlog can be a bit unpredictable. That said, there is nobody I trust more with my gear. If you have non-Leica lenses, DAG is where to send them to make sure they are adjusted properly for your Leica. He's also innovative. Years ago I came across a Minox BL for a good price. I sent it to Don for a CLA. He mentioned that sometimes he had to replace a plastic strap that was part of the battery holder. His solution was a strip of Leica shutter cloth...Probably superior to the original Minox design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted July 14, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I would start by sending the used lenses to DAG. He will ask you when you need them and you need to give him a date(he will tell you if its impossible). He tries to meet everyone s time requirements (unfortunately as soon as possible doesn t work). Plan on a month and ask for 3 weeks . Call at the beginning of the week they are due to verify they will be shipped. He will be fast and reasonable but he really will be doing a calibration unless you state you need a CLA which may take longer . He may want the M8 which is Ok as he will not adjust it if you ask. Its just a better test than using his standard M8. He can do a quick test of your M8 with his std 50mm lens and tell you if it needs adjustment. If the camera needs any serious adjustment I use NJ because I found that sensor alignment can be the issue . Only NJ and Solms have the test equipment to look at sensor alignment. If the M8 is under warranty you can send it in. One of my M8.2 s just doesnt work at distances so its in NJ and scheduled to ship this week.....so the turnaround is much better than last year. One alternative is to ship off the M8 to NJ now and the used lenses to DAG. Give NJ a shot at the body. If you send your used lenses to NJ you may get a large estimate ( $700 on my 75 Lux and $400 on the Noctilux)....the Noctilux was worth it ...no so much for the 75 as it was working fine until the M8 calibration. Right now I feel better with DAG doing the lenses and NJ working on the body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted July 14, 2009 Share #8 Posted July 14, 2009 Don't send the older lenses to Leica, send them to DAG. He can code most of the older lenses that Leica says can't be coded. But he's been taking as long as Leica to get things done. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcam Posted July 14, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 14, 2009 Sorry- what does CLA mean and how do I reach DAG? Thanks. The not-so-great thing about Don (DAG) is that his backlog can be a bit unpredictable. That said, there is nobody I trust more with my gear. If you have non-Leica lenses, DAG is where to send them to make sure they are adjusted properly for your Leica. He's also innovative. Years ago I came across a Minox BL for a good price. I sent it to Don for a CLA. He mentioned that sometimes he had to replace a plastic strap that was part of the battery holder. His solution was a strip of Leica shutter cloth...Probably superior to the original Minox design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbelyaev Posted July 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2009 Recently I had a very good experience with Sherry Krauter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted July 14, 2009 Share #11 Posted July 14, 2009 Sorry- what does CLA mean and how do I reach DAG? Thanks. Clean Lubricate & Adjust :-) Google DAG Camera... Don is great - and does the best work - but understand he is a one man shop (I think he has to outsource the milling of the 6-bit codes to Jim Milich who is another 1 man shop) so IT CAN TAKE SOME TIME to do your lenses thru Don... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted July 14, 2009 Share #12 Posted July 14, 2009 Sorry- what does CLA mean and how do I reach DAG? Thanks. CLA stands for Clean Lube and Adjust. DAG does 6 bit coding and can be reached here. Don Goldberg" <dagcam@chorus.net> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 15, 2009 Share #13 Posted July 15, 2009 FWIW, I recently sent my M8.2 and 4 lenses to Leica NJ to be calibrated as system for focus, and to adjust some issues with older lens. I also had one lens coded. Got everything back perfectly in 2 weeks...no charge except for coding. It helps to establish contact and relationship before sending. I've also heard great things about Sherry Krauter, but haven't used her services. She's been in business for over 30 years and worked for Leitz NJ as well as the authorized Swedish Leica agency. Her business is also near Leica NJ. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted July 15, 2009 Share #14 Posted July 15, 2009 I've used both Sherry Krauter and Don Goldberg. Both are good, both take longer than you expect ... both are very reasonably priced IMHO. My last CLA was on a 90/2 that had a speck of I don't know what inside and Sherry was honest enough to consider this a case for Leica and did the necessary shipping back & forth for me and the result was still reasonable. It took a few weeks though. She also handled a couple of other lenses for me too. Her communication is somewhat better than DAG btw. DAG calibrated my M8 & (then) new Noctilux that Mr. Magoo at Leica had obviously set up. It came back perfect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robola Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted July 15, 2009 Thanks for all your anecdotal experience and advice.. As the m8 is under warranty, I think I'll send the old lenses to DAG and if I still have a problem, then I'll send the body and, if appropriate, lenses off to NJ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissah Posted July 18, 2009 Share #16 Posted July 18, 2009 CLA stands for Clean Lube and Adjust. DAG does 6 bit coding and can be reached here.Don Goldberg" <dagcam@chorus.net> hi everyone! i have been trying to get my lenses to don for over a year.i just havent been able to give up my camera. now it looks like im going to have about a 2 week window in which i can send my gear. but i do have a question. i have 2 bodies. they ea have different focus points. can don make lens adjustments both bodies? tia, melissa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 18, 2009 Share #17 Posted July 18, 2009 hi everyone!i have been trying to get my lenses to don for over a year.i just havent been able to give up my camera. now it looks like im going to have about a 2 week window in which i can send my gear. but i do have a question. i have 2 bodies. they ea have different focus points. can don make lens adjustments both bodies? tia, melissa If you have 2 M8's that have 2 different focus points with all the lenses you have then it is not the lenses but one or both of the cameras. In this case I would send the whole lot off to DAG. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted July 18, 2009 Share #18 Posted July 18, 2009 But I found the communication a bit, well, lacking. I was quoted 3-4 weeks turnaround on a CLA. I got the camera back 4 months later. No explanations were given to why it had taken 4 times as long as stated. It seems I'm not the only one. I've been wondering if he's been on vacation the whole month of July. I'm getting frustrated enough just to ask for the cameras back, and sending them to someone else, but he's already had them for closing in on two months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 19, 2009 Share #19 Posted July 19, 2009 This is normal with Don, most people are experiencing it. There are ways of jollying him along but they only work sometimes. I love Don's work but I sent my last CLA to Steve Choi in LA and was rewarded with an excellent job and a 3 week turnaround. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted July 19, 2009 Share #20 Posted July 19, 2009 DAG has always done excellent work for me, and on a rare occasion, I had to send it back to him without any issue, and it was taken care of immediately. Leica is fine too, but my experience is that DAG is easier to speak with. The key on who to send them to has always been contact the prospects first, arrange it, then send. Often an independent repair may be out of stock on a part and has to wait, thus the reason to check first. Best of Luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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