Leica R4 Light Seals

<p>I have a Leica R4 that is in cosmetically beautiful shape, but with crumbling light and door seals. I have two questions:</p>

<p>1. Who repairs/replaces and does CLA/repairs on these cameras?</p>

<p>2. Would it be worth it for me to send this in? I assume that any camera of this vintage is going to need new seals, so even if I were to, say, buy one on the auction site or one of the reputable retailers, I might have to do this anyways?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>DAG Camera did some excellent work on my M 3 and one of my lenses. Was half a dozen years ago not sure they are still in business, but here is a link. <br>

www.dagcamera.com/contact.html</p>

<p>I believe Leica outsourced R repairs to some Düsseldorf based company. In general I'd try to hit my kind of local independent repair shop(s) and ask if they'll do a job personally. - They are of course networked, but I don't need a tech to charge me 50 Euro for forwarding and receiving a parcel.<br>

There seem light seal replacement instructions all over the Internet, but it isn't the kind of work I'd like to do after another coffee binge. - I'm already uncomfortable exchanging 35mm SLR focusing screens through the lens mount. YM(&shivering!)MV.</p>

<p>I started doing light seals after somebody gave me an R3....I approached it with trepidation, but just taking my time and being careful, it was a successful operation, since then, I've done it on 7-8 bodies I picked up either in charity shops or the big auction site. John Goodman used to sell his kits on that site, but when the site got flooded with knock offs, he reverted to private sales via his email account. Not sure if he is still selling his kits (I think they were around $12-15), but if you search this site I think his name and address will pop up in prior posts on the subject. DAG is still in business, almost exclusively Leicas, but I'm not sure if he still does R camera work or not, I know he rejuvenated a Leicaflex for me several years ago as well as several lenses...other USA folks worth checking into are Sherry Krauter, Youxin Ye, and Gus Lazzari - Google their names for their business contact info.</p>

<p>The R4 is basically a Minolta XD series camera. The only major difference is the lens mount and associated mechanical/electrical mount components.</p>

<p>Any "older" repair operation should be able to easily knock out the light seal issue or other issues as a matter of course.</p>

Great, thank you all!!

<p>Contact for Jon Goodman is:</p>

<p><a href="mailto:jon_goodman@yahoo.com">jon_goodman@yahoo.com</a><br /> </p>

 

 

jon_goodman@yahoo.com

 

 

<p>there is an underscore between jon and goodman</p>

<p>I have used many of his kits for my film cameras over the years. Great stuff, and if you are handy a reasonable way for under $20 to put an older camera back in shape.</p>

<p>A well designed and precision made camera body needs no light seal. Sloppy design left gaps in the<br>

camera body, hence use camera seal foam to fill the gap.</p>

<p>A bit late to berate their design department, Martin.</p>

If cosmetics are not a problem, then a piece of black tape over the window is a good solution.i have an R4 since the 1980s and never had a problem.