Leica offering CLA special deal on M8 and M8.2

[coelacanth]

Saw this in sponsor classifieds ad here. Here is the line from Leica:

Leica Camera is pleased to offer for a limited time only a tune up special for the Leica M8 and M8.2 cameras. Our factory trained technicians using original spare parts will clean the camera, calibrate sensor, rangefinder, and metering system (small parts included). Pixel mapping and sensor cleaning are also part of this full service offer. Leica Camera offers a one year warranty on all work performed with a certification card. During this promotion, this service costs $350. The regular price is $475.

This service offer does not include major components, rangefinder, CCD, main board and monitor. This offer is only valid in North America from now through September 15, 2012. Leica reserves the right to discontinue the program at any time.

Interesting. My M8.2 is working well, but I wonder if I should take this opportunity just to be sure things around sensor and shutter are all good. Anyone thinking of doing this one have done it already?

[semordnilap]

Hmmmm... sounds interesting. My M8 is fine but it doesn't sound like a bad deal. Don't know if I can part with the camera before september, but maybe after I get back from my next trip...

[hipsterdufus]

Sounds like their repair department is a little bored...

[twopointeight]

I'm in for sure with my M8.2. Talked to NJ this morning. 2 week turn around. Include your credit card # with shipment for faster service. About $12 shipping in the U.S.

[coelacanth]

Ha! 2 weeks turnaround doesn't sound too bad at all. I might just do this now so I'll get the camera back before the Japan trip I'm planning in September...

[Viktor Sebastian]

And for europeans?

[semordnilap]

2 weeks seems pretty good. Hopefully there won't be a backlog in September!

[ipu]

Originally Posted by Viktor Sebastian

And for europeans?

+1
Has someone been in contact with Leica about this special offer? Does it include europeans? Really would like to know?

[dannynono]

I dropped my M8 off at the DC Leica store earlier today. Fingers crossed I get it back within the 2-week timeframe.

[raid]

My M8 is still sealed by Leica.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by raid

My M8 is still sealed by Leica.

Is it fun to use that way?

[raid]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Is it fun to use that way?

It is very challenging!
Brian will inspect the M8 for me any day now.

[eleskin]

My M8 Shutter is apart and needs a fix or replacement. I know when Leica fixes a camera for anything like this, they check everything as well and clean the camera as part of any repair. I am sure this is so.

[1joel1]

Originally Posted by JSU

If Leica NJ offered full one year warranty extension from time of service I would be very interested. But since it only covers "work performed", I'm still on the fence.

This could be an important selling point for one looking to move up to a FF camera.

Yea, I'd been all over that as well, but like it says, only covers "work performed". $350 is cheap for a full coverage warranty.

Joel

[Ben Z]

For $360 I just bought a full-coverage 1 year (from the date my original warranty expires) warranty extension for my M9, and I didn't have to send the camera in. Available world-wide direct through Solms.

Personally I wouldn't spend $350 unless they warrant the entire camera for a year. Most cameras probably will be in perfect condition and the tech will spend five minutes looking it over and ticking the checkboxes on the sheet. If he misses something major, no skin off Leica's back because they're not warranting it. If he does find something major, you'll have to pay extra for it. It sounds like a raw deal to me. And between interstate shipping and Leica-NJ messing around with the camera, there's always the chance your camera comes back with some fault it didn't have before. Right now my car dealer has this promotion for a free oil service and inspection, the rationale is they hope they turn up some paying work on the inspection. But the service is free.

[dannynono]

Originally Posted by Ben Z

For $360 I just bought a full-coverage 1 year (from the date my original warranty expires) warranty extension for my M9, and I didn't have to send the camera in. Available world-wide direct through Solms.

Personally I wouldn't spend $350 unless they warrant the entire camera for a year. Most cameras probably will be in perfect condition and the tech will spend five minutes looking it over and ticking the checkboxes on the sheet. If he misses something major, no skin off Leica's back because they're not warranting it. If he does find something major, you'll have to pay extra for it. It sounds like a raw deal to me. And between interstate shipping and Leica-NJ messing around with the camera, there's always the chance your camera comes back with some fault it didn't have before. Right now my car dealer has this promotion for a free oil service and inspection, the rationale is they hope they turn up some paying work on the inspection. But the service is free.

Please stop scaring me ;-)

I've had a few issues show up recently and I'm sure it's been at least 3+ years since any tech has looked at it.

If the service fixes the issues I've encountered, then $350 is worth it. And if they discover non-covered issues, then at least I'll know what's what and hopefully can swing the cost of the other repairs (with 1 year warranty included I assume) without too much trouble.

[Jubb Jubb]

Oh man. No deal like this in Australia. This sucks (for us).

[Keyne]

Do you have the link to the promotion? I need the sensor cleaned and I have the dreaded coffee stain on the LCD....

[daleeman]

I'm interested. Went to the Leica web and can not find this info. could the OPr please put the URL of where this information came from so I can follow up.

Thanks.

[goodtimes]

Interesting. My M8.2 is working well, but I wonder if I should take this opportunity just to be sure things around sensor and shutter are all good. Anyone thinking of doing this one have done it already?[/quote]


I would not un-cap a digital camera if it all works. I'm not saying Leica is bad at overhauling things, but this is just a statistical fact: there are more chances to disturb a function in a complex electronic sensor (e.g. camera) if you work on it than if you don't.
I am working on electronic systems since 1981 and I have seen very old digital systems which were never ever opened and seem to be lasting forever.
Therefore, my advice: why take a chance to screw it up if it works ?

[jaapv]

well.there is quite a bit of mechanical stuff too...

[goodtimes]

Not that much indeed. I opened an M8 and got scared: mostly a small computer with a lens up front. The only mechanical component is the RF but if it's ok there is no need to touch it.