Re: [Leica] Re: m3 releather

["Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>]

After two years of LUG experiences, I am amazed at how readily Leica owners
are willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money for service. It is
understandable that after spending so much for a camera, one would want the
best service, however, we don't go to the Porsche or Ferrari or Honda dealer
to have body work performed or to repaint the car.
After all the bad experiences at Leica NJ, I would steer clear but for
shutter repair, in fact I would rely on Sherry and Dag instead.

In Shutterbug magazine, in the "Service" section there are addresses of
specialists for specific brands of cameras and specific camera repairs.

I have patronized a shop in Fresno, CA  for the last 20 years. They are NOT
specialists, rather they are a father/son team each with  particular skills.
Floyd is a WW2 era machinist, Tom, the son, is a more modern era technician.
I send a lot of my work to them, and to them exclusively. All their work is
guaranteed for 6 months, no questions asked. Only once in 20 years have I
had to return a camera ( a Retina). Here is an example of prices

Leica Shutter overhaul, including changing curtains: $175.
Electronic repairs: $85 average.
Remove fungus or internal cleaning of lenses: $30-50.
"Tune-up" of Hasselblad: $50.
Changing the LCD display in Nikon F3: $80.

They are very accommodating. All my work is returned within a week. At times
I call to alert them of a pressing need and the following day the item is at
my doorstep.
Often I bargain for price consideration given the low value of the camera
(Tom repaired a Nikon FG shutter for $30).
Shortly I will send them a dozen or so shutter/lenses from my Zeiss
collection for CLA. I will remove them from the cameras myself. On top of
ridiculously low prices, I will be granted a "quantity discount".

I have resisted revealing my secret partly for the protective nature of
LUGers, partly  for fear that Tom and Floyd would become too busy and raise
their prices.
Well, I will desist and volunteer Tom and Floyd's address. For those of you
who are weak of heart, do send the major problems to Sherry, those of you
who are bold, adventurous, and reckless, do tell Tom that "Joe Codispoti
sent you", I guarantee you will be treated fairly.
By the same token, I would like to know if you are satisfied or not.

Joe Codispoti


Jensen Camera Repair
2014 Tulare Street,
Fresno,  CA  93721-1918
(559) 264-3993










- ----- Original Message -----
From: <ECM418@aol.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2000 5:54 AM
Subject: [Leica] Re: m3 releather


> luggers,
> Ive got an m3 in desperate need of recovering.I have spoken to leica in
New
> Jersey,and they will put on m6 leather for a fairly reasonable price.Is
this
> the best place to have it done?Does anybody have the m3 vulcanite in
> stock?Any other suggestions?
> Thanks,
> John
>