Leica CL repair question

<p> Hi guys,<br>

A s of last night, I came into possession of a Leica CL through Craigslist.<br>

;The young man selling it was a little disingenuous in his description of the camera (he claimed that it had been his fath er's and only about five rolls of film had ever gone through it). There was a "piece of glass" in the viewfinder that had broken in two that he claimed could be easily removed withour affecting the rangefinder.<br /> <br />Here's the g ood news: The 40mm summicron lens attached may not have a lens cap or a hood, but it is clean and smoot h.<br>

The shutter seems to work perfectly, clean and with no sticking. The inside of the camera is immacaula te.<br /> <br />My questions are:<br /> <br />1) The glass inside the viewfinder is definitely br oken. But the rangefinder still works. Is it superfluous? Can it be removed and the the camera used wi thout replacing it?<br /> <br />2) I checked here, as well as the CL forum on RFF and the name that keeps coming up is Sherry Krauter and DAG. My only problem is that Sherry will no doubt be quite expensive (I haven't c hecked with DAG yet) . Does ANYONE know of a repair guy in New York City who might take this on?&nb sp; Any other ideas? I don't feel like I have the expertise to remove the top myself and take out the mirror. Anyone here ever removed the top from one of these things?<br /><br /> 3) Although the seller assured me the meter worked, the battery check is showing nothing. There is a kodak battery S76 SP44 in there now. Anything I can get to replace it just to see if the meter is even working?<br>

Now, I got the camera and lens for 450.00. My hope was to sell the body and keep the lens. But I would like to try and get it in working condition. It's a beautiful camera and I might just keep it. My feeling is that if the body is a complete washout, I still was only ripped off by 100 bucks or so, since the lens goes for about 350.00 in this condition.<br /><br />thanks for any help and advice,<br>

Denis Markell</p>

<p>I hear Eddie Smolov is good in NYC, have not used him. I use Youxin Ye in Canton, MA and highly recommend him. He's cla'ed several Leicas for me.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.sherrykrauter.com/">Sherry Krauter</a> is perhaps the undisputed expert when it comes to repairing the Leica CL. She uses the camera herself. You might call her and ask her opinion. Certainly, the rangefinder is out of alignment and that needs to be fixed. The broken glass should be replaced too.</p>

<p>I know from getting quotes to have my Leica IIIg CLA'd that <a href="mailto:wye7@yahoo.com">Youxin Ye</a> charges less than half of what DAG, Sherry, or Steve Choi charge. However, I don't know how good he is with the Leica CL or if he will even work on it. If he'll work on it, that's probably the direction I would go if money were a factor and I was going to sell the camera anyway.</p>

<p>Youxin Ye<br /> 16 Fairview Road<br /> Canton, MA 02021<br /> (781) 830-9141 (eve/weekends)y</p>

<p>A rebuild will cost close to what you paid for the camera. Around $400 is typical. But then the camera will be back to like new operating condition.</p>

<p>i'm pretty sure it uses that mercury-containing battery that is no longer sold in the USA. the replacement for it isn't the exact same voltage so the meter won't be properly calibrated [if it even still works at all; most of them don't]. i used to have one [great camera, loved it] and was content shooting B&W using the 'sunny 16' rule, and doing time exposures at night with a tripod and cable. i guess leica hasn't made parts available for some years now. if i were you i'd get it fixed up as best you can and get a handheld meter. and keep it.</p>

<p>My rangefinder glass was broken and I recently had it repaired for a minimal amount - this was in the UK, at CRR, a known expert; hence it's not practical for you, but repair needn't be expensive. The meter might simply need a new battery (the alakaline equivalent is probably close enough for b/w and colour print work); if it needs a new meter cell the cost will probably be just over $100 (I think it's £80 in the UK).</p>

<p>The lens is probably worth $300, so I wouldn't regard the necessary repair as a total disaster.</p>

<p>More useful info on the <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page21.html">CRR website</a></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who offered advice. I will definitely check Youxin Ye. Eddy Smolov didn't return my email, but I found his address and phone number on google and he's in Brooklyn - as am I.<br>

I had a great chat with Sherry last night about the camera. She is, of course, able to tell anyone anything about the camera (except she is baffled by this glass in the rangefinder). My feeling is that if I really want the camera to last, I'll get her to work her magic. If I just want to get it up and running, I'll ask these guys in the NY first! <br>

Again, wonderful forum and I let you all know how it all works out....<br>

Denis Markell</p>