In Praise of Leica Repairman Youxin Ye
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JRG
Well-known
Well, I'm no Youxin shill --- and I do resent the suggestion that I might be that.
For the record: I've had exactly one transaction with Youxin --- same number as with Sherry Krauter. Each did superb work. Youxin did it faster, and with better communication, and for less money. (And with no oil in sight. Period.) Can't find a reason to complain about the work done by either of those two folks.
Would I send more work to Sherry? Sure. Would I send more work to Youxin? Sure.
Would I send work to DAG? Only if I didn't need the gear back anytime in the near-to-medium future. Mind you, I might send my M3DS to DAG, but only some day when I decide I don't need it for a year or so.
For the record: I've had exactly one transaction with Youxin --- same number as with Sherry Krauter. Each did superb work. Youxin did it faster, and with better communication, and for less money. (And with no oil in sight. Period.) Can't find a reason to complain about the work done by either of those two folks.
Would I send more work to Sherry? Sure. Would I send more work to Youxin? Sure.
Would I send work to DAG? Only if I didn't need the gear back anytime in the near-to-medium future. Mind you, I might send my M3DS to DAG, but only some day when I decide I don't need it for a year or so.
KM-25
Well-known
Oh yes, lets do piss and moan about some of the few people in the world that work independently of Leica on cameras that are no longer made, right?
I am sending Youxin my new M3 that has a really faint R/F so he can evaluate if it is toast from coating failure or not. I don't think that takes oil, so maybe I will be OK..
I am sending Youxin my new M3 that has a really faint R/F so he can evaluate if it is toast from coating failure or not. I don't think that takes oil, so maybe I will be OK..
bob338
Well-known
no personal offense intended. i was stating in a broad way that these praise threads seem disingenuous to me. if he were upset by any of it, i would expect him to defend himself.
i was only stating my experience because it is at odds with what was being posted and i know others have the same problems with him. i thought it was worth throwing into the conversation. maybe not.
is it fair to let those 'few people' go unchecked? i don't think so. there are plenty of people repairing leicas. i just happen to think this is not one of the good ones.
bob
KM-25
Well-known
Just got an M3 back from Youxin, he did a great job on the shutter release and the brightening of the R/F patch. It's the one in the avatar..
If oil starts oozing out somewhere, I will worry about it. For now, the camera is spot on.
If oil starts oozing out somewhere, I will worry about it. For now, the camera is spot on.
bidnez
Established
Youxin is working on my M4-P right now - along with Robert Jagtisch who´s repainting the thing (we are talking co-operation here!). They are both absolute gentlemen about their work, the project and a real pleasure to deal with. If I´m not out on my b*** before that, I´ll post pictures of the beauty when it is ready. 🙂
KM-25
Well-known
That is the team who did my 100% black M3, even the counter is black reversed, this is my stealth cam for the Kodachrome Project, this is going to get used a ton!
Platinum RF
Well-known
I sent mine in June have not heard back any news yet, e-mail unanswered.
pkuglin
Established
Well call him. I had the same experience, called him and he did them in 3 days. It took more time for UPS 2 day air to get them to me - 5 days late due to snow...
I had Robert do my black paint cameras also. No CLA though. Robert is top notch for sure.
benno
Hack.
Youxin f*cked the shutter in my hitherto unopened M3 by submersing it in oil. There was oil on the bubblewrap it was packed in FFS and the whole package stank of oil!
He replaced the curtain, and when the camera came back it didn't focus properly. I wasn't shipping it back to the US from Australia a third time so I asked for a refund (which was given very promptly and with no fuss at all) and found some information on the net and fixed the focussing issue myself.
Since then I have probably run 60 odd rolls through the camera and the shutter speed dial and rewind knob have both worked loose and needed to be re-tightened - done myself.
Youxin's communication was always exemplary but his workmanship was not.
He replaced the curtain, and when the camera came back it didn't focus properly. I wasn't shipping it back to the US from Australia a third time so I asked for a refund (which was given very promptly and with no fuss at all) and found some information on the net and fixed the focussing issue myself.
Since then I have probably run 60 odd rolls through the camera and the shutter speed dial and rewind knob have both worked loose and needed to be re-tightened - done myself.
Youxin's communication was always exemplary but his workmanship was not.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
They did an M4 black paint that I grabbed off ebay right after Thanksgiving. It's even smoother than my M2, which I had thought was impossible. They seem to team up quite well.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
I'm waiting for my M4 to get back from Youxin. he did a super fast job repairing (CLA and new backdoor covering) and sending it back. very unexpensive and GREAT communication.
good fellow.
good fellow.
roundg
Well-known
I had two M2, one M4p and one IIIF serviced by Youxin. All excellent job. Surprised to see that some people complained about his job here. You should talk to him directly. Youxin is a gentleman, and I can't see that a problem can't be solved with him.
monochrome_joy
Analog Enlightenment
I recently purchased an M4-2 for $400 that was in need of a CLA and repair. Upon inspecting the camera before purchasing, the viewfinder was hazy and 1/8th did not work (fired at 1/60th) and 1/1000th was said to be "off".
After receiving quotes from four or five repair people, Youxin was by far the cheapest. After hearing many positive reports on this form and others, including this thread; I decided to send the camera to him.
Still, I've heard a few negative reports, so I was a bit trepid about the quality of repair. I received the camera today and everything looks to be in order. The viewfinder is once again very clean and clear, 1/8th works as far as I can tell and there was no excessive oil to be found as others have reported.
This is, like all of my cameras, a user camera. I do not baby them or put them in glass cases. I take cameras into the field and abuse them like the tools they are. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to send the camera to Youxin. If I was a collector, or perhaps had other motivations and money, I would have sent the camera to Golden Touch due to her excellent reputation. However, in Sherry's email to me, she made it very clear that she was extremely busy and it could take months for the repair to be finished.
I'll update my post if I find any problems or issues with the repair/CLA that was recently performed.
After receiving quotes from four or five repair people, Youxin was by far the cheapest. After hearing many positive reports on this form and others, including this thread; I decided to send the camera to him.
Still, I've heard a few negative reports, so I was a bit trepid about the quality of repair. I received the camera today and everything looks to be in order. The viewfinder is once again very clean and clear, 1/8th works as far as I can tell and there was no excessive oil to be found as others have reported.
This is, like all of my cameras, a user camera. I do not baby them or put them in glass cases. I take cameras into the field and abuse them like the tools they are. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to send the camera to Youxin. If I was a collector, or perhaps had other motivations and money, I would have sent the camera to Golden Touch due to her excellent reputation. However, in Sherry's email to me, she made it very clear that she was extremely busy and it could take months for the repair to be finished.
I'll update my post if I find any problems or issues with the repair/CLA that was recently performed.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
I got my M4 back last week, shot some film everything's fine so far, the viewfinder is bright(er) as new! awesome!!
maclaine
Well-known
This thread seems to be a bit flogged to death, but I figured I'd throw in my two cents.
I just bought an M4 and wanted to get it CLA'd before I started really putting it through its paces. Since I live in Boston, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Youxin is local. I emailed him and told him I needed the camera worked on before this coming weekend (I'm taking a mini-vacation and would like to use it), and he offered to have me come to his house that very night. I couldn't make it, but I went down the next night (last night). I sat there for three hours talking with him and watching him work. He was incredibly gracious and patient with me. At every step of the way, he made sure to explain exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. He also explained what certain parts did even if he didn't need to adjust them, just so I would have a clearer understanding of how the camera worked.
The camera had obviously been worked on before, and some of it was pretty sub par. He explained to me what had been done and what needed to be fixed. He replaced the steel film advance lever gear with the proper brass gear that M4's are supposed to have, replaced a faulty frame mask, and replaced the bubbling vulcanite on the rear door. Having heard of "the oil debacle", I watched him as he applied it, and I can safely say that he was very conservative in his application, and there is no excess oil anywhere. He adjusted the shutter speeds and focus, and also showed me how to make simple adjustments myself so that I wouldn't have to have other people work on it if it wasn't necessary. That, to me, is probably the most important thing. To share knowledge with a fellow Leica enthusiast that actually takes money out of the man's pocket demonstrates that he works on these cameras because he loves them and doesn't want to rip anyone off just to make a buck. He also spoke highly of both Sherry and DAG, which really shows he's a class act.
The camera is now in fine shape and I can't wait to start shooting with it. I would absolutely take more work to him in the future. The cynics might say this is a "planted post", but I assure you it's not. It's genuine praise.
I just bought an M4 and wanted to get it CLA'd before I started really putting it through its paces. Since I live in Boston, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Youxin is local. I emailed him and told him I needed the camera worked on before this coming weekend (I'm taking a mini-vacation and would like to use it), and he offered to have me come to his house that very night. I couldn't make it, but I went down the next night (last night). I sat there for three hours talking with him and watching him work. He was incredibly gracious and patient with me. At every step of the way, he made sure to explain exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. He also explained what certain parts did even if he didn't need to adjust them, just so I would have a clearer understanding of how the camera worked.
The camera had obviously been worked on before, and some of it was pretty sub par. He explained to me what had been done and what needed to be fixed. He replaced the steel film advance lever gear with the proper brass gear that M4's are supposed to have, replaced a faulty frame mask, and replaced the bubbling vulcanite on the rear door. Having heard of "the oil debacle", I watched him as he applied it, and I can safely say that he was very conservative in his application, and there is no excess oil anywhere. He adjusted the shutter speeds and focus, and also showed me how to make simple adjustments myself so that I wouldn't have to have other people work on it if it wasn't necessary. That, to me, is probably the most important thing. To share knowledge with a fellow Leica enthusiast that actually takes money out of the man's pocket demonstrates that he works on these cameras because he loves them and doesn't want to rip anyone off just to make a buck. He also spoke highly of both Sherry and DAG, which really shows he's a class act.
The camera is now in fine shape and I can't wait to start shooting with it. I would absolutely take more work to him in the future. The cynics might say this is a "planted post", but I assure you it's not. It's genuine praise.
marduk
Well-known
I'm waiting for my early M3 to get back from Youxin. He did a super fast job repairing and sending it back. He got the camera on Friday, worked on it during the weekend, waited one more day for Griptac to arrive from Morgan and sent it back to me the same day he applied Griptac. The camera was improperly took apart in the past, so it needed way more than a few adjustments. He replaced the curtain, back door, rangefinder cam, spring plate nut and lens release button screw, all for a reasonable charge.
I like to learn how the Leicas are built and I asked questions and he told me a lot about the evolution of the finder and shutter design, intricate changes from the first M3 to the last M3 etc. He's now on the my top list, along with Robert Jagitsch. I expect the camera to arrive in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic condition.
I like to learn how the Leicas are built and I asked questions and he told me a lot about the evolution of the finder and shutter design, intricate changes from the first M3 to the last M3 etc. He's now on the my top list, along with Robert Jagitsch. I expect the camera to arrive in fantastic mechanical and cosmetic condition.
Richard G
Veteran
Nikonwebmaster wonders about the CLA of M6s, for instance, and I am inclined to agree with his premise. I have had Leicas for 30 years and of the four I've owned only one, the oldest, an M2, has had a CLA. I did this to prevent a failure, when the one second was holding up a little towards the end. The 1/30s was a little screechy and both of these points indicated stiff and deficient lubrication. I used a local man, former Leitz employee and born near and trained at the factory in Wetzlar. Perfect job and the camera is smoother than ever. The M6 is 13 years old and sounds and feels great and lubricants have improved in the 50 years since my M2 was built and I can't see the need of a CLA for the M6 for years yet. My repairer didn't think anyone would need to look again at the M2 for at least 20 years.
donart
Newbie
Youxin Ye is the best!
Youxin Ye is the best!
Just bought a beautifully restored Leica M3 and Summicron 50 from Youxin. Visited him in person, spent an hour talking with him and looking at options available. Made the decision, he did all needed work overnight and when I came back to pick up he and his wife took us to lunch. Very impressive work and a wealth of knowledge! I will go back again for any Leica equipment I want from now on. Highly recommended, easy to work with and priced very reasonably. Worthy of your trust and your business, without question.
Youxin Ye is the best!
Just bought a beautifully restored Leica M3 and Summicron 50 from Youxin. Visited him in person, spent an hour talking with him and looking at options available. Made the decision, he did all needed work overnight and when I came back to pick up he and his wife took us to lunch. Very impressive work and a wealth of knowledge! I will go back again for any Leica equipment I want from now on. Highly recommended, easy to work with and priced very reasonably. Worthy of your trust and your business, without question.
gilgsn
Established
Another satisfied customer.
Another satisfied customer.
Hello,
Youxin Ye CLAed my IIIc and M2, as well as cleaned my Summicron 90mm. The Summitar I bought had been previously CLAed by him as well. Everything works great, no oil oozing out. The IIIc had the beam splitter replaced and the M2 got a new film advance gear. The Summicron's aperture ring barely move before because of oily blades. It works smoothly now.
Gil.
Another satisfied customer.
Hello,
Youxin Ye CLAed my IIIc and M2, as well as cleaned my Summicron 90mm. The Summitar I bought had been previously CLAed by him as well. Everything works great, no oil oozing out. The IIIc had the beam splitter replaced and the M2 got a new film advance gear. The Summicron's aperture ring barely move before because of oily blades. It works smoothly now.
Gil.
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