When it comes to quick repairs, Leica’s range of Panasonic-based compact cameras is very biddable. Strip-down and reassembly, if not for the faint of heart, is perfectly feasible. As a result, most common repairs for the popular D-Lux 7, for instance, can be handled by Leica in London without the need to send cameras back to Wetzlar.
Lucky Q
Alone among the European-produced cameras, the Q and Q2 can also be dismantled and repaired at Leica Mayfair. The Q is also susceptible to sensor dust as a result of movement within the lens, and cleaning is possible. It is free within the warranty period but costs £180, including tax, out of warranty.
M camera sensor cleaning is handled on the spot and is a popular service, but other M, SL or CL problems mean that the item has to be sent to Wetzlar. Currently, turnaround times are being quoted at twelve weeks because of customs delays, so the situation isn’t ideal.
The Leica Society
Last week, during the Leica Society’s annual visit to Leica Mayfair, members were enthralled to see a demonstration of a complete strip down on a D-Lux 7. Ludivine Combe, Customer Care Advisor at Leica, managed to strip the camera and reassemble it in record time.
She even found a home for every little screw that had been placed carefully on the pristine mat in front of the camera. This is something few of us could have achieved. As she said, “don’t try this at home”.
The Achilles’ heel of this little camera is the tendency for dust to settle on the sensor, caused by the ingress of air during lens operation.
Cleaning the sensor requires a complete strip-down of the camera, so it is no quick fix as is the case with the M. Considering the amount of detailed work involved, the cost of D-Lux sensor cleaning at £90, including tax (outside warranty), seems perfectly reasonable.
Green light for the Luxes
Leica Mayfair can also tackle all Panasonic-based -Lux cameras, including current and immediate predecessor models.
The good news for M owners is that you can call to book your camera in for a free sensor clean, ideally during a trip to London, so that you can leave it with Ludivine for the day. Two cleans per camera per year are allowed. Otherwise, there is a small charge.
If your camera is no longer supported by Leica — for instance, the popular X1 and X2 compacts — all is not lost. David Slater, who previously worked for Leica in a similar capacity to Ludivine Combe, now handles repairs and adjustments for most older Leicas. See this article for details.
Why not consider joining The Leica Society, the long-established British association for Leica enthusiasts? Find full details here.
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Mike hopefully the reference to hens housing is a typo. Otherwise you’d have more than dust to worry about.
Ah. Well at least someone read this! Thanks. I will amend! Egg on my face