Re: [Leica] restore M4? and roll call

[bfranson@greennet.net (Bill Franson)]

I just sent my M4 #127xxxx to Leica Camera, NJ for an overhaul. It's a users
camera.  Estimate, $377 including parts and labor and return ship. Parts
were higher than normal due to replacement of leatherette. As has been said
before you can buy a leatherette replacement kit from leica and do it
yourself. I asked for an estimate on replacement of top plate, $415. I can
live with my dent. Call the service dept at Leica, 201-767-8303. They should
be able to tell you how much a bottom and rewind knob should cost. I would
think you could find a used bottom at a repair shop. Call around.

Roll Please

M4
M6
50mm f2
35mm f2 

Bill



At 09:41 PM 2/17/98 -0700, you wrote:
>I'm trying to get a handle on the economics of restoring an M body or
>selling as-is.
>
>What might it cost me to have an M4 (#1234020-cool serial # or what?)
>refurbished? I'm wondering about the cost of a new top plate (dented),
>bottom (small crack, slightly bowed out) and rewind knob (bent). I've been
>getting good use from it, but mechanically, it appears to be in no danger of
>wearing out soon. Condition probably rates a solid 7.5-8
>
>I'd love to have a newish M4! If I can do the restoration and wind up with a
>really nice M4 for lots less than an M6, that would be fantastic, and I have
>no problems whatsoever in hauling about a minty M4 and wearing it out MYSELF
>:-) A couple of years of daily carrying-about in an unpadded bag have not
>had much effect, so I figure that my style of use must not age the gear
>prematurely.
>
>Also of interest is the resale value of it as-is, versus restored, and
>whether there's a way to bargain my way to a cheap M6 :-)
>
>