Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
I would love to be his understudy - I'm 54 and could see doing this for the rest of my life.
Unable to contact DAG
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Chubberino
Well-known
Yeah, I was at Youxin's back in October and his order backload looked insane. He did me a solid though and serviced like 7 things in less than a week for me. Good stuff.
steveyork
Well-known
All the established repair techs have lengthy waiting lists. That's why I found the recent thread about delays in service from Leica USA so damn funny.
I do believe, however, that if you are a "steady customer" you can get preferential treatment.
I do believe, however, that if you are a "steady customer" you can get preferential treatment.
Leica USA service is different situation altogether, as they are the only source for repairs for digital gear, and they didn't put any of revenue from their exorbitant prices into improving their service departments; instead, they put it into a fancy headquarters. Simply unacceptable for a premium brand to have such ridiculously poor service.
As far as DAG goes, he not only has 40+ years experience, he has a test equipment collection that no one else does: proper collimators, shims & magnification optics, lenses made of tool steel by Leitz, infinity targets, 1 meter test stand, etc. etc.
As far as DAG goes, he not only has 40+ years experience, he has a test equipment collection that no one else does: proper collimators, shims & magnification optics, lenses made of tool steel by Leitz, infinity targets, 1 meter test stand, etc. etc.
x-ray
Veteran
We had two very good techs here years ago. Both were excellent but one retired to be a goat farmer and the other went into teaching high school when digital was coming in.
Fifty years ago when I was starting my photo career we had a Leica rep by the name of Hans Kippert. He had been a repair tech for Leitz for decades in Werzlar. He was promoted to a rep position and sent to the US. We'd see him in the stores here about every other month. He carried a case with tools and would strip down a camera and do repairs on the spot within the limits of what could be done in the field. They were done at no charge too. The good old days.
Looks like my lens should be back tomorrow or Friday. It was a mechanical issue that it wouldn't focus to infinity.
Fifty years ago when I was starting my photo career we had a Leica rep by the name of Hans Kippert. He had been a repair tech for Leitz for decades in Werzlar. He was promoted to a rep position and sent to the US. We'd see him in the stores here about every other month. He carried a case with tools and would strip down a camera and do repairs on the spot within the limits of what could be done in the field. They were done at no charge too. The good old days.
Looks like my lens should be back tomorrow or Friday. It was a mechanical issue that it wouldn't focus to infinity.
Talus
pan sin sal
Unable to contact DAG
Yeah, he installed my finder upgrade while I was at his kitchen table with him. Took a few hours with plenty of smoke breaks! He was telling me that he and his wife usually work from 9-10am to 11pm or so 7 days a week. He doesn't shoot anymore, just works on repairs. It's a very tedious and technical trade that requires a lot of patience and attention to detail, and long hours sitting. I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of work and am thankful for guys like Don and Youxin who are still around.
I like the workshop comment earlier though. I would love to learn to do simple repairs myself.
Yeah, he installed my finder upgrade while I was at his kitchen table with him. Took a few hours with plenty of smoke breaks! He was telling me that he and his wife usually work from 9-10am to 11pm or so 7 days a week. He doesn't shoot anymore, just works on repairs. It's a very tedious and technical trade that requires a lot of patience and attention to detail, and long hours sitting. I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of work and am thankful for guys like Don and Youxin who are still around.
I like the workshop comment earlier though. I would love to learn to do simple repairs myself.
x-ray
Veteran
I'm happy to report I received my 35 V1 today and the focus issue was fixed. Working perfect!
bayernfan
Well-known
nice, his work is simply the best. hoping my items show up soon as well. one thing to note, if you send Don only lenses, the turnaround time seems a lot faster than combining them with a body.