Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Looks like a slam dunk for the Japanese digital camera makers vs Leica! I recently sold my Leica M7 and lens. Mainly because of the change in direction Leica seems to have taken. I didn't think the Hermes acquisition would be good for Leica and I suspect the parts decision is the Luxury corporate mentality at work. Also, I did not find the M7 up to the quality of the M3 I owned years ago. They seem to no longer have any interest, if they ever did, in supporting working photographers. How many pros are going to put up with going to Leica US for the most minor of repairs. I find my Bessa T 101 with the Heliar can equal if not better the Leica on the kinds of work I do with a 50mm lens. If I need speed and quiet, well, then I have my Hexar AF. David On Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 02:55 PM, Chandos Michael Brown wrote: > > I just got off the phone with Leica, New Jersey. I'd asked some months > ago about the availability of a replacement speed dial for one of my > M4-Ps. Informed that it was available at a reasonable price, I quite > naturally procrastinated in purchasing it, thinking that I'd put > together a little order of miscellaneous stuff. > > Moved by the recent discussion, I called today to order one. Dave > Elwell, who strikes me as a stand-up guy, agreed to sell it to me, > because he'd said he would in our earlier email exchange. While I had > him on the phone, I asked whether I could also purchase a few odds and > ends for my M3--a replacement for the lens release button, which has > grown worn, and a couple of trim rings which some previous had marred. > Dave hesitated, and then mentioned that I needed "special" tools to get > them off. I told him that I owned the appropriate tools (I've pulled > the top-plates on nearly all my Ms to clean VF windows and the like. I > do not mess with the shutters or otherwise perform maintenance on > them). > He said that he could not sell me any of these parts. > > Apparently Leica will now allow those of us who have used and purchased > these cameras for many years (over thirty in my case) to obtain PC > socket plugs, battery compartment covers, what they consider to be > "user" replaceable parts, no tools required. > > I protested that the lens release button required nothing more than a > screwdriver to remove and replace; he offered to have the camera picked > up for free, whereupon Leica would determine the "problem," check the > camera, and provide an estimate for repair. I responded that the > camera > has recently undergone a CLA and that I was merely interested in > improving its cosmetic appearance, which hardly required a trip to NJ, > God alone knows how much time in the shop, and a labor charge for > something that I can accomplish in 30 minutes. > > Doesn't matter--no parts. > > I have been setting money aside for a new 35/1.4 asph. So much for > this. The fund's now going toward a Canon D1s or its equivalent, even > if it takes longer to accumulate it. I'll continue to use the Ms in > the > foreseeable future, but I will never buy another new Leica product > again, period. > > CHandos > > > > > Chandos Michael Brown > History and American Studies > College of William and Mary > www.wm.edu/cas/asp/faculty/brown > > > > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html