In Praise of Leica Repairman Youxin Ye

[kshapero]

I have used him many times. Had an M6 which was not working in the slower shutter speeds. Sent in on a Monday. Came back to me the next Monday done!!! Highly recommended.

 

[VertovSvilova]

fwiw, this "oil oozing out of the camera" and other concerns with Youxin Ye are from a 6 year-old thread..... I'm sure that he has long ago left behind those unfortunate issues and has since become an even better and more experienced repair person.

 

[Iestrada]

I have dealt with most of the reputable Leica repair persons in the states. Some are too busy to do the job in a timely fashion and others think they are god's gift to humanity.

Youxin always has the time to answer all inquiries and service one's guear in a timely and afordable fashion. Any reports of lack of satisfaction are always resolved happily by him (as reported.

It is a true joy to have dealing with Youxin.

 

[froyd]

Hope this was not posted before: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2010-12/02/content_11640058.htm

Nothing but good things to say about Mr Ye. The thing that impressed me the most was that when he stumbled against a problem that was beyond his ability he was very quick to recommend a couple of other Leica experts to tackle the task.

 

[coelacanth]

Bumping this thread in praise of Youxin Ye.

I sent my M2-R last week. It reached him on Saturday. And I got this email this morning (Tuesday). This is a full CLA job with some extra work to fix problems. Probably the total turnaround door-to-door will be just about a week. This is insane! 😉

The camera was taken apart by someone who was inexperienced, the PV tension spring lost during reassembly, caused the frame line change problem. He also put the pressure spring for counter disc under the counter disc, which should go under the top plate.
CLA'd, cleaned and lubricated mechanical parts, the light baffles fell off by a touch, reattached. Adjusted shutter speeds, shutter works well at all speeds now and winding is smooth. Replaced PV tension spring to new, adjusted preview lever base holder to proper position, preview lever works well now and frame change is good. The rangefinder was quite hazy, cleaned and it is clean and clear now. Adjusted focus. The vertical alignment is good. For the counter disc, I aligned it and made it better towards to the arrow. The strap lugs have very light wear, but far from the time needs replacement.

Also, since this thread is kinda old, I just want to note that I've been sending stuff to his way for years, and he's become definitely more experienced, more comprehensive repair tech with deep knowledge of Leica gear over the years. I'll go back to him for the next CLA (hopefully not too soon) or any other adjustments for sure.

 

[AZPhotog]

I only use the factory trained true professionals, but that is just my preference. To each their own. (And, yes, some of the above 'problems' comments are disturbing to me.)

 

[Out to Lunch]

Ned, where do you send your cameras for CLA/repair instead?

 

[Pioneer]

I thought perhaps I would post my most recent experience with the other half of this repair team.

Around the New Year I sent Youxin a 50/3.5 M mount Elmar that was a little stiff in a couple places when I was focusing the lens. I suspected that it had not been used in quite some time and the old lubricants from the mid-50s had just hardened up a bit.

When it returned I learned that the lens was like new. The oils had vaporized, depositing on the glass, and the remaining stiffened grease was gumming up the helical. I must say it has become one of my favorite lenses and it is obvious why Leica lenses were so famous.

Though a lot of our thanks goes to Youxin, we should also remember that most of the lens work is done by his better half.

 

[VertovSvilova]

Keep in mind, he is self taught. He is cheap for a reason. Nothing beats a Leica-trained technician.

This has always been my concern about him (the self-taught bit.) He's probably fine with a minor repair and when one wants cheap and also a quick turn-around. But I've never been able to allow myself to use him for that very reason.... have had too many headaches with all those 'self taught professionals' out there (not just camera repair...)

I've only used Don for my Leica repairs and service, although it's only been six times in about four+ years that I've needed any work done. But with each time it has been a smooth transaction and at a fair price (considering his expertise.) No hiccups so far and everything has been done well. And I trust his work. Turn around has always been within 6-8 weeks. One time a minor repair was just one and a half weeks.

 

[sreed2006]

Two days ago, I received back two cameras and two lenses from Youxin Ye. One camera was an M3 Double Stroke, which has taken a hard knock and quit working. The other was a Leica IIIg in near mint condition, which was not working because it had never been serviced in 58 years. The lenses were Elmars: a 50/2.8 M mount, and a 50/3.5 LTM red scale.

Youxin got both cameras back in tip-top shape, and both lenses feel like new. He recovered the M3, and that looks perfect.

I personally like his work a lot. It is disappointing to hear others have had troubles, and I sweated bullets waiting for them to be serviced and returned. But, he did a great job.

Here are shots from test rolls made after receipt of the cameras:

From the M3 with Elmar 50/2.8


Vallagio Gold Course, Englewood, CO by sreed2006, on Flickr

From the Leica IIIg with Elmar 50/3.5


Fire Hydrant with Cone Hat by sreed2006, on Flickr

 

[barnwulf]

The excess oil thing was explained earlier on in this thread so maybe go back and read it. Some people don't call him or email him if there is a problem but, instead complain about on threads like this one. He is very willing to resolve issues. I have purchased several cameras from him and he has worked on other cameras of mine and I have only had excellent work done by him. He is a very nice guy and his repairs done with a pretty quick turn around time and are reasonable priced. - jim

 

[JHP]

Another happy customer.

 

[Huss]

He has my If for a CLA. I had the ebay seller ship it to him directly.
I'll let peeps know the outcome when I get it back.

 

[Michael I.]

recently CLA'd a leica M2 for me, very happy.

 

[daveleo]

I shipped my ancient Zeiss Jena 50mm to him a few days back. Time will tell whose side I'm on in this debate.

 

[John E Earley]

Today I sent an M2 to YYe for a CLA. It is in need of some serious shutter work. He was very informative in his emails.

 

[Platinum RF]

He offers 1 year warranty others offer 3-6 months

 

[Huss]

This came today, CLA'd by Youxin. Perfect:

 

[oltimer]

Beautiful Huss. I have a case for that unit (large screw) that I picked up years ago at a yard sale. You can have it for just for the shipping.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

He exchanged half a dozen emails with me yesterday helping me to troubleshoot a light leak on a Canon P, for free. Who has time for that? He also had the advance lever I was looking for and sold it to me. I'll send him my cameras in the future!