Mooshoepork
Established
I double checked he got the camera just in case the courier messed it up (it happens)
I basically have to stop myself from calling him for an update because if there was an update, he’d tell me
Better off just leaving him to work
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I sent him my M4-2 two weeks ago for repair. The frameline mask had oil on it and the vertical alignment of the RF was off. He emailed me two days ago to say it was done. I paypalled him money and he shipped it yesterday.
Here's the secret. I called him before I sent it and asked how long it would take. He said if i need it in a hurry to write a date I want it back on my letter. I did, telling him in my cover letter that I'd like it back by the end of April (I sent it in at the beginning of the month). He got it done in two weeks. Don't just send stuff in, give him a deadline!
Here's the secret. I called him before I sent it and asked how long it would take. He said if i need it in a hurry to write a date I want it back on my letter. I did, telling him in my cover letter that I'd like it back by the end of April (I sent it in at the beginning of the month). He got it done in two weeks. Don't just send stuff in, give him a deadline!
Mooshoepork
Established
xasthur
Established
I find that a really silly way of doing things imo. It's possible, since it was not a full CLA it would be a quick job therefore he gets it done and then sends it out to continue on with more complex jobs such as mine that has a really strange issue and will require a full teardown. At this point I try to forget that he has it and will be surprised whenever he emails me. Either that or I'll call him to send it back to me somewhat soon. We'll see.
yossarian123
Sam I Am
I think a week and a half is entirely too soon to ask. Give it a month or so and then feel free to shoot him an email for status. That’s totally within your rights.
He’s the best. Plain and simple. Depending on my needs I’ll use either DAG or Youxin. I had a “parts” 8 element 35mm summicron that he magically transformed into a 60 year old as new lens that’s now my daily workhorse. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded.
He’s the best. Plain and simple. Depending on my needs I’ll use either DAG or Youxin. I had a “parts” 8 element 35mm summicron that he magically transformed into a 60 year old as new lens that’s now my daily workhorse. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded.
I never ask the quality repair guys for favors or quick turns, and DAG is the best of the best. I just don't like putting pressure on them, they are booked solid and the last thing they need is yet another customer who wants things fast.
I just ask him when he expects to be done approximately, and then inquire prior to that time for an update.
He nearly always beats the estimate.
The simple jobs are faster.
I just ask him when he expects to be done approximately, and then inquire prior to that time for an update.
He nearly always beats the estimate.
The simple jobs are faster.
Mooshoepork
Established
Sent an email a couple of weeks ago. Haven’t heard anything so will have to call
xasthur
Established
Yeah emails never work unless you ask about buying something from him. He's had my M2 for half a year without a single word besides 'its coming up soon' like 2 or 3 months ago when I asked him about servicing a MR4 meter and mentioned my M2. I lost track of time and sometimes forget that I own a M2 lol
Mooshoepork
Established
He’s got my m2 and m6 going on 5.5 months now...
Trouble is the m6 was at another repair place before him that actually managed to make it worse...they had it a full year.
So I’m at 1.5 years without the m6 and counting 😂
Halftrack
Member
Please do us a favor and name the repair shop that made your Leica M6 worse after keeping it for a year.
I'm going on six months without my 50mm Summicron, so I bought another 50mm to use meanwhile. Leica repair has become a black hole.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Beware Leica NJ. I purchased a beautiful M3 that was working perfectly but had fungus in the finder. It went to Leica for a CLA and a finder cleaning. After 5 months, I was pretty annoyed and managed to get a live human on the line. He told me the camera needed new curtains (I thought, OK, you're the experts) and was told I'd see my camera in three weeks. Three months and no camera, and I called again. Seems they were waiting for special "Leica-approved" glue from Germany, but could use an alternative immediately if I was willing to accept the camera without a warranty on the work. I opted to wait, and received the camera two months later with a $1300.00 bill. At the time, that was the price of a nice used M3.
However, to give the devil his due, it is also now the quietest and smoothest Leica I own...
However, to give the devil his due, it is also now the quietest and smoothest Leica I own...
Halftrack
Member
That's sad to hear. I had some bad experiences with Leica NJ in the 1980s and 1990s. It always took them two tries to fix a camera, and each try took a few months. Finally I gave up and switched to independent repair services. Apparently Leica NJ hasn't improved much in 30 years.
This appears to be a classic case of market failure. Clearly there's a market for a fast, reliable, competent Leica repair service, because demand is exceeding supply. Yet no one is stepping up. I suspect it's because camera repair is a difficult skill to learn and young people have no patience for it -- or they can't find a place to learn it. The existing repair people need to hire apprentices.
This appears to be a classic case of market failure. Clearly there's a market for a fast, reliable, competent Leica repair service, because demand is exceeding supply. Yet no one is stepping up. I suspect it's because camera repair is a difficult skill to learn and young people have no patience for it -- or they can't find a place to learn it. The existing repair people need to hire apprentices.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
My experience with Leica NJ occurred before I knew of Youxin Ye. He is superb; reasonable turnaround, good prices, and faultless work on both cameras and lenses. A real nice guy to deal with, as well. Can't recommend him too highly! Right now, he's backed up with repairs, but I think it's worth the wait.
madNbad
Well-known
In the late 1970s' I bought a Hodaka 100cc Super Rat from a local motorcycle shop. I paid a hundred usd for it because it wouldn't start and the shop didn't want to invest the time or money to fix it. Two of my close friends and I took on the challenge of making it run. We did everything our limited knowledge led us to believe we had fixed the problem. My father was a life long mechanic and had the ability to fix any number of thing, small engines being his speciality. He watch the three of us, kicking the starting crank till our legs were sore, then pushing it back and forth trying to bump start it. After about a half hour of this merriment, he walked over with a beer in hand and asked us to kick the starter once more. We obliged, he took a long drink from his beer and stated in a matter of fact tone, "Broken key on the crankshaft." then walked away. We learned how to split the motor casing and sure enough, the key that engages the crankshaft with the magneto was split in half and would drift just far enough that the magneto would only produce an intermittent spark. We found a replacement key and the bike started on the second kick. Today, my wife took our 120 year old mantel clock in for repair. The gentleman behind the counter looked it over and pushed on the shaft the hands ride on. He looked at my wife and stated it was a great old clock but the gearing was worn out and no amount of adjusting or lubricating would change that fact. He suggested a full restoration and it would take about eight months with a final, "Don't call us, we'll call you when it's ready." My point being the ability to diagnose a problem take years of experience. I'm lucky enough to live in a city that has multiple camera repair shops. I have had work done by Don Goldberg and Youxin Ye but much more by the local techs. The shops are always looking for someone to learn the trade and the work on a wide variety of both digital and analog cameras. I often have told the new technicians, the key to success is not just being able to fix your own mistake but correcting the work of others. The older tech have seen thousands of cameras and often know were to look for a problem. I asked my fater how he knew what the problem was and he told me about encountering the same problem on a small engine and it took him several days to find the problem. We want new blood to come into the field and learn how to keep the analog cameras running for the next generation but they also need time to learn.
Mooshoepork
Established
Do they reply to emails?
In 2021 I don’t think it’s acceptable to have 7 grand worth of gear with no cost/time estimation then ignore emails.
But maybe it is if you’re the best?
xasthur
Established
I have a happy update. So DAG had my M2 for 7 and a half months or so with no word from him after a couple emails every few months. I decided to man up and call him on the phone. (I don't like talking on the phone to much). So I called him and I politely asked if he could send the M2 back to me. (I was going to take it to a local repairman but I didn't mention this to Don.). He then asked me when I had sent it in and I told him November of last year. His reply was oh wow! He then looked for it and found the camera and then offered to take a look at it that day. 2 hours later he emails me telling me that the camera is done! Wow!
During the conversation I had with him I found him incredibly friendly and nice. He told me that sometimes camera boxes can be put in a corner somewhere and forgotten about which I guess is what happened to mine. I said no worries and then we continued to talk about random things such as golf! haha.
All in all, my personal opinion on his service is that his expertise on cameras is top notch obviously but his communication and business side of things is really lacking. He did mention he has a secretary which I'm assuming is maybe his wife or family member. With that being said the fact that you can send him a camera and not hear anything related to it for 7 months is concerning to the sender.
So my final thought on this is to not even bother sending emails unless you want to buy something. Send it in wait a few or 3 months and then call him.
I'm so happy to have my M2 back!
During the conversation I had with him I found him incredibly friendly and nice. He told me that sometimes camera boxes can be put in a corner somewhere and forgotten about which I guess is what happened to mine. I said no worries and then we continued to talk about random things such as golf! haha.
All in all, my personal opinion on his service is that his expertise on cameras is top notch obviously but his communication and business side of things is really lacking. He did mention he has a secretary which I'm assuming is maybe his wife or family member. With that being said the fact that you can send him a camera and not hear anything related to it for 7 months is concerning to the sender.
So my final thought on this is to not even bother sending emails unless you want to buy something. Send it in wait a few or 3 months and then call him.
I'm so happy to have my M2 back!
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Nice looking M2!
xasthur
Established
Thanks! After about 3 weeks it appears that the eyepiece was not tightened and has fallen out making the camera unusable. I have emailed Don with what happened and hope he has another one.. I will not be recommending dag to anyone sad to say..
wjlapier
Well-known
I will. No one is perfect. Stuff happens.
Don has done many many repairs for me. Every time the camera and lens came back better than when I sent it. Most recently he CLA’d a Nikon S2. Smoothest working rangefinder I’ve ever owned.
Don has done many many repairs for me. Every time the camera and lens came back better than when I sent it. Most recently he CLA’d a Nikon S2. Smoothest working rangefinder I’ve ever owned.
Bingley
Veteran
This has been my experience. In 2020 I sent Don my Leica IIIc, which experienced a shutter jam. I described the problem to Don over the phone, and sent him the camera. I got it back three weeks later, and the cost of the repair was very reasonable. Earlier this year I sent Don my M3 for an overhaul (the shutter was capping at high speeds). I don’t expect to see it for many months. But that’s OK, Don’s work is worth the wait.