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.

 

[aperture64]

I am on my third camera that has had problems after he worked on it. All three, shutter issues. First two he told me couldn't be fixed. This one will be sold as-is. Won't be sending him any more gear.

 

[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.

 

[Ned Bojic]

I've been forced to sell Two Leicas I loved after he destroyed them with his cheap CLAs. Nightmare stories: switched parts, sticky oil, smell...

I have only me to blame to having listened to cheap, non-photographers who recomended him on the net.

Now, when I read an ad with "serviced by youxin" in the description, I definitely stop. I wouldn't touch anything services by him with a stick.

 

[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?

 

[aperture64]

Now, when I read an ad with "serviced by youxin" in the description, I definitely stop. I wouldn't touch anything services by him with a stick.

Me too.

Three different cameras serviced by him. All three not working properly afterwards. The first two he claimed could NOT be fixed 100%. The third I sold without asking because I had enough. The first was fixed by a trained tech without any issues since.

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

 

[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.

 

[Ned Bojic]

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

Don Goldberg (Dag).

He's had a lot of business from me. He's good, I trust his hand. However, he's had so many brain farts with my repairs that it got me worried. Brain farta such as losing my MP's door. Wobbly lens needing a lot of trips back and MANY more. But I've decided to delete all those (really frustrating) issues from my brain because he really has a good hand and knowledge. But I am worried for my future repairs.

I'd like to try Sherry Krauter but I've called about 5 times for an approximate price on various repairs and she'd always quote me ridiculous prices, and I mean ridiculous!), so I got scared away.
What Don charges 120$ she quoted 500$ on the phone.

At present, if I had to have a camera fixed, I would be perplexed. Probably Don, but not without a SERIOUS talk beforehand. Serious as in "this is my camera, this has to be done and I don't want to send it back twice because you were watching Maury Povich while routinely fixing my camera without goong in depth into the problem".

I know my cameras by heart. One Leica's speeds feel like this, my other Leica's speeds feel like that. I feel the shutter and the winding mechanism deep within me. If you change a part, or if you don't fix it or over fix it (over lube, tighten or loosen a part) I'll notice ot righr away. You can't fool me with that stuff. And this is what I'm expecting from Don: a serious job done right.

I once received a lens that didn't feel the same, had a different feel (I'm not saying it's Don), and I didn't touch it for 3 years. I just couldn't accept that lens anymore. It was ok, but it simply wasn't mine anymore. Of course, the fact that it fell and needed a calibration was also a part of this psychological issue.

I truly believe that there's nothing Leica that Don can't fix. He ms basically salvaged many of my stuff that I was sure was unrepairable. I only wish for no brain farts and a more careful implication on some repairs.

 

[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.