Repaired M3 - Youxin Ye's work

George S. said:
Tom,
The camera's probably too rare to leave the house with anyway, so sell the LTMs and buy a backup M6 or M7 and don't look back!
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Hahahhahaa well, I have used a Grey IIIC K in the past for shooting, but not everyday and I have like 2 "non stamp" K shutter IIIC bodies, so I have the same camera just not as rare (worth only $1,500 each) they are good shooters (when they work) my problem lately is having too many clean/minty cameras that are just paperweights, because they don`t work -

I could buy a few M6`s if I sell all the LTM`s I have now, I`m very fond of my M6, I love my M6 series one and I wish I could get another one specially modified for what I want, (with a unstamped M3 top plate and knobs) preferably a M6 series one in Chrome with an M3 vintage look, so that might be my next step and that`s more than likely having to go over DAG anyway for a modifaction so intense........

Tom
 
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LeicaTom said:
It seems to getting to be TOO EXPENSIVE using LTM`s anymore, I should just sell the damm lot and buy a couple of M6`s or a nice Black M3 kit........I guess DAG`s one of the few places you can trust 100%, but I`m sure I`d pay like $400+ for a CLA on a K shutter, JUST TO CRACK IT OPEN?

Tom
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Add in the cost of two or three bright-line finders and you'll find that yes for the same money, you could be shooting with a DS M3 or an M2 in user condition.

Youxin will usually return the camera in a much improved operational state.

A CLA on a screw mount will run ~$250 with DAG. Youxin charges less and is quicker - but have DAG or Sherry Krauter buys peace of mind in the long run.

So, if you do not plan on selling the camera within the next 5 years, I recommend using DAG or Sherry. If you may be selling the camera sooner than later, definitely let Youxin have a go with it.
 
As promised, a follow up to Youxin Ye's fix to the M2 - the slow speeds were off, causing lock ups now and again. I sent to back to him and in one week's time, including time for mailings, it was back and after shooting a roll, I can now vouch for the fix. All is well, and in addition to the slow speed fix, he was able to repair the connex for the flash (which I never use, but if I ever sell, it's nice to know). He let me know every step of the transaction and I am convinced he's the best! Well, ONE of the best.
 
well, just my 2 cents, there's a guy in the Netherlands, Will van Manen who does a lot of good work on Leica M bodies and lenses. I have had several M bodies and lenses done by him and it was very good, with good communication and turn around times (weeks instead of months). He charges about 200 euro for a M CLA, roughly US$ 275.
his outfit is called kamera-service, look him up at kamera-service.info
 
I bought my M3 from Youxin. He CLA'd it, and sold it to me for a much better price than a member here considered reasonable for a camera in similar condition that had a useless viewfinder. I have used Peter at CRR for some items but wouldn't hesitate to send items to Youxin, who seems much better at communication than many Leica vendors or repairers.

No one is perfect, and occasionally I believe venting one's spleen is more a reflection of one's rage at the world in general rather than the performance of an individual workman.
 
Originally Posted by LeicaTom
It seems to getting to be TOO EXPENSIVE using LTM`s anymore, I should just sell the damm lot and buy a couple of M6`s or a nice Black M3 kit........I guess DAG`s one of the few places you can trust 100%, but I`m sure I`d pay like $400+ for a CLA on a K shutter, JUST TO CRACK IT OPEN?

Tom
Add in the cost of two or three bright-line finders and you'll find that yes for the same money, you could be shooting with a DS M3 or an M2 in user condition.

Youxin will usually return the camera in a much improved operational state.

A CLA on a screw mount will run ~$250 with DAG. Youxin charges less and is quicker - but have DAG or Sherry Krauter buys peace of mind in the long run.

So, if you do not plan on selling the camera within the next 5 years, I recommend using DAG or Sherry. If you may be selling the camera sooner than later, definitely let Youxin have a go with it.
__________________
I like my IIIf RD so much better than my previous M2's & M6's that I don't care about the cost comparision. (Smaller/lighter) And it needs new shutter curtains and a new mirror.
 
Youxin

Youxin

He just emailed me tonight. He received my camera and has already repaired it. says it is very smooth now. said i forced the film advance and broke some plate due to a light baffle getting caught (or something to that effect) cost....100.00 I think that's great! He is just gonna check focus and send it back... Rob🙂
 
Youxin Ye

Youxin Ye

As I live in MA, I was able to go to Youxin's home and sit with him this Spring while he CLA'd my M-4. He also adjusted my III-f for no additional fee. A lovely man, talking to himself as he runs his fingers over the mechanisms. Says "they are really simple cameras, all clockwork...just very logical". The result? I have two perfectly working cameras which I used all Summer, and I learned some things about them I didn't know. I would use his services again without hesitation. BTW, I also sent two lenses to DAG, and after some anxiety about whether they would be back in time for a shoot, they were returned in wonderful shape, mechanically, optically, and cosmetically.
So, as a photographer, I'd use either of these gentlemen for my Leica repairs.
Jim
 
I live in Massachusetts also and am an hours drive from Youxin. What a great guy!

I too sat at his kitchen table a few times. I was going to leave my newly acquired IIIf with him expecting it needed a CLA but he said it was in nice condition and only needed the rewind knob lubed. He did the same with the Summitar aperture ring which was really gummy.

He didn't want to charge me anything, but I didn't feel right taking his time like that for no fee so I gave him some money for his time: he immediatley reached into a parts cabinet over his kitchen table and gave me a #1 Yellow Summitar filter for free.

I was touched by this gesture.

- Ray
 
I received my 1943 IIIC K Grey back from Youxin last week and the camera is working 100% with no problems, he took extra special care with the camera and didn`t damage any paint on the screw heads, also took some photos of the inside of the camera, verified the chassis to top plate number 100% and the camera is working as new.

I`m 200% satisfied and he will be receiving more Leica`s from me to CLA in the future for sure 😀

Tom
 
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