DAG or Sherry Krauter

[ddimaria]

I was thinking about sending my M6 in for the VF upgrade and realignment. The two names I keep hearing are DAG and Sherry Krauter.

Does anyone have experience with either?

Who would win in a camera service cost/quality tug-o-war?

[Brian Sweeney]

I have heard all good things about both; I have sent four Leica's, a IIIf, M2, M3DS, and M3SS, to Essex. The IIIf had a completely faded RF patch. The M3DS required work on the VF/RF, and the M3SS had some "spider hair" in the RF image. All came back with VF/RF like new. You may at least inquire if they can do the upgrade; they did replace the blown gears on the M2 with new parts from Germany.

[rover]

I had a lens worked on by Sherry Krauter. She was quick and fairly priced. And, of course her reputation is excellent.

[ddimaria]

Originally posted by Brian Sweeney
I have heard all good things about both; I have sent four Leica's, a IIIf, M2, M3DS, and M3SS, to Essex. The IIIf had a completely faded RF patch. The M3DS required work on the VF/RF, and the M3SS had some "spider hair" in the RF image. All came back with VF/RF like new. You may at least inquire if they can do the upgrade; they did replace the blown gears on the M2 with new parts from Germany.

Is Essex Dag's or Sherry's place?
DD

[peter_n]

Essex is an independant repair facility in New Jersey and is not connected with either Don Goldberg (DAG) or Sherry Krauter.

DAG & Sherry specialize in Leica, both are good.

[ddimaria]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback.
DD

[scoop]

DAG will undertake some repairs that Sherry doesn't seem to do, particularly with rangefinder/viewfinder optics (dismantling and cleaning M3 rangefinders, for example). Dag also is the only source that I know of for resilvered Leicaflex prisms.

The quality of work from both DAG and Sherry is excellent. Essex can be good but I've had to send cameras back to them when repairs weren't completed properly (slow speeds inoperative on a IIIf after a new shutter and CLA).

I suggest contacting Sherry or DAG in advance to discuss the repair before sending it.

[furcafe]

I've had great experiences w/both DAG & Ms. Krauter in having an M2 & M3 CLA'ed/repaired/upgraded, but don't have enough cumulative data to really distinguish between them.

I don't know whether Sherry is doing the flare-reduction upgrade, but DAG certainly has been doing a brisk business (1 of my M6s is on its way to him right now) as he charges $100 less than Leica USA in NJ.

Originally posted by ddimaria
I was thinking about sending my M6 in for the VF upgrade and realignment. The two names I keep hearing are DAG and Sherry Krauter.

Does anyone have experience with either?

Who would win in a camera service cost/quality tug-o-war?

[akalai]

Hi there Chris,

Have you had any experience with Jim Maddox (?). I may have a screw mount Leica in need of an overhaul and his name popped up on other forums.... just curious? I dont think Sherry Krauter does LTM's or does she?

Anyone else on here had any experience with Jim Maddox, would appreciate any comments, Cheers! AKALAI

[akalai]

Sorry about that I meant JOHN Maddox, anyone have any experience with John Maddox repairing Leica screw mount cameras???

[peter_n]

According to people over on photo.net, he is the man to go to for Leica screw mount.

[akalai]

Thanks Peter...

Actually I am just scanning through a google search, just curious if anyone on this forum has dealt with him, and recently?
Thanks Peter, speak again...AKALAI

[StreetShooter]

ddimaria,

I sent my M6 in to DAG and had him do the upgrade on my vf... plus a number of other things.

The camera was sent in on Monday, received on Tuesday and I had it back in my mitts on Saturday morning.

What can I say? He did a first rate job and I'd send my cameras in to him ANY day of the week.

Both will do a fine job but I chose DAG over Sherry because I found Don to be a faster responder to emails.

Cheers

BTW... Yes, Sherry does do the vf upgrade as well!