Huss
Veteran
I just emailed him, on a Saturday afternoon, a question about my Rollei 40 f2.8.
He replies 20 minutes later!
This guy is unbelievable.
He replies 20 minutes later!
This guy is unbelievable.
In Praise of Leica Repairman Youxin Ye
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harpofreely
Well-known
Got my M3 back from a CLA by Youxin about a month ago now, and have shot & developed about a dozen rolls through it.
When I sent it in, the slow speeds were sticking, the viewfinder was dirty, the frame preview was not working, and the rangefinder alignment was off. I also sent in a 50mm Dual Range Summicron that had haze and general dirt.
The M3's lugs were shot and the vulcanite was starting to go, so I had new lugs and covering added to the CLA.
Youxin's communication was great and his turnaround was fast. Everything is working now, exposures and focus are great, the viewfinder is amazing like an M3 should be. The Aki-Asahi recover was cleanly applied. The DR 'cron is clear as day and feels like the precision instrument it is.
In response to some of the issues other have noted with his work:
When I first got the camera back, I literally stuck my nose into it as far as I could and could detect a faint smell of machine oil. That smell has faded away and I've not seen any issues that suggest over-oiling.
Externally, there are still tiny areas like corners and deep grooves in both lens and body that have residual old dirt and grime. The film chamber, viewfinder, and all glass is clean as can be.
My overall conclusion is that, for those of us who want to shoot old film Leicas, and need have them brought up to proper working condition at a reasonable price and turnaround time, Youxin is a tremendous asset our community is very lucky to have. Is he the absolute last word in museum-quality restoration? Probably not. But he'll be seeing more business from me.
When I sent it in, the slow speeds were sticking, the viewfinder was dirty, the frame preview was not working, and the rangefinder alignment was off. I also sent in a 50mm Dual Range Summicron that had haze and general dirt.
The M3's lugs were shot and the vulcanite was starting to go, so I had new lugs and covering added to the CLA.
Youxin's communication was great and his turnaround was fast. Everything is working now, exposures and focus are great, the viewfinder is amazing like an M3 should be. The Aki-Asahi recover was cleanly applied. The DR 'cron is clear as day and feels like the precision instrument it is.
In response to some of the issues other have noted with his work:
When I first got the camera back, I literally stuck my nose into it as far as I could and could detect a faint smell of machine oil. That smell has faded away and I've not seen any issues that suggest over-oiling.
Externally, there are still tiny areas like corners and deep grooves in both lens and body that have residual old dirt and grime. The film chamber, viewfinder, and all glass is clean as can be.
My overall conclusion is that, for those of us who want to shoot old film Leicas, and need have them brought up to proper working condition at a reasonable price and turnaround time, Youxin is a tremendous asset our community is very lucky to have. Is he the absolute last word in museum-quality restoration? Probably not. But he'll be seeing more business from me.
ColColt
Established
Youxin is not only a super great fellow but knows what he's doing. I had a 1957 edition of a 50 f2 DR Summicron with haze/fog. He had warned me ahead of time when I was looking for one not to get one with a serial number under 2mil as the whale oil Leica used was bad news and caused in part the haze. Moreover, the coatings were softer.
I took his advice, found a super nice one and bought it to discover the haze. He fixed that in short order and now it gives the Zeiss 50 f2 Planar lens a real run for the money. Not bad for such an old lens and kudos to Youxin for his making that old lens "shine" once again.
I took his advice, found a super nice one and bought it to discover the haze. He fixed that in short order and now it gives the Zeiss 50 f2 Planar lens a real run for the money. Not bad for such an old lens and kudos to Youxin for his making that old lens "shine" once again.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
This came today, CLA'd by Youxin. Perfect:
I love looking at this If! It is so perfect for the CV 25mm (which I have). I think I want one!
Huss
Veteran
I emailed Youxin today at 6.30pm. Friday July 1st, the evening of the long 4th July holiday weekend.
Youxin replied at 6.39pm - 9 minutes later - answering all my questions.
Un-be-lievable communication.
Youxin replied at 6.39pm - 9 minutes later - answering all my questions.
Un-be-lievable communication.
tedvieira
Newbie
Just wanted to chime in with another vote. I emailed Youxin to let him know of some issues I was having with a Leitz M6 (circa '87). I sent it to him for a CLA. He received it on Friday afternoon, emailed me by late Friday night (that same Friday) that the CLA was done and also added the anti-flare kit and coated glass that I asked for. He shipped it back to me and I had the camera back by Monday. Great correspondence (email) throughout the entire process. I will always send my Leicas to Youxin. Incredible service and turnaround!
Huss
Veteran
My M5's rf calibration was off. Ever since being serviced by a famous M5 expert. Youxin doesn't normally work on M5s, but I asked him to because all it needed was the RF adjusted. I just got it back from him a week after I sent it. $20. Perfect.
(I tried to adjust it myself but the tool I made was not adequate and so gave up before I bogarted something).
(I tried to adjust it myself but the tool I made was not adequate and so gave up before I bogarted something).
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