Youxin Ye

[minnichphoto]

Incase you didn't already know, Youxin Ye is the man. He replaced the windows on my M2 with new multicoated windows and recovered it with Aki-Asahi 4008 skin. While the top was off, he adjusted a frame line issue. The work was exceptional as well as the turn around time. He is a true expert with a professional follow through.

http://www.yyecamera.com/sample_blackpaint_M2.html

 

[Michael I.]

I had two leicas CLA'd by him, and know several more who did, he is professional, fast and seems like a darn nice guy.

 

[f16sunshine]

Another for YY !
Great guy. No job too small.
He does limit himself which any expert does.

He does ltm clone service too just FYI !
Bang up job on a Yashica YF and lens for me a few years ago. For barely a C note!

 

[Noserider]

I must disagree. His work was decent but he 'replaced' my Black Paint M4 brassed rewind knob with a new M6 aluminum one without my knowledge or consent rendering my once original BP M4 no longer original. It took me several months to realize the switch after confirming with a Leica expert.

 

[yossarian123]

Meanwhile folks are starving in Africa.... Cmon, seriously?

Well, this thread IS about his work as a Leica tech. So I'm not sure why his less than ideal experience on a repair job is considered out of bounds.

 

[burancap]

Meanwhile folks are starving in Africa.... Cmon, seriously?

Seriously?

 

[colyn]

Meanwhile folks are starving in Africa.... Cmon, seriously?

That's called theft.. When you take something that does not belong to you or have permission to take you're stealing..

 

[DNG]

Another for YY !
Great guy. No job too small.
He does limit himself which any expert does.

He does ltm clone service too just FYI !
Bang up job on a Yashica YF and lens for me a few years ago. For barely a C note!

He'll attempt Contax RF Clone repairs also... but, I sent him a 85/2 in a Kiev RF mount, that he said he could replace the lube. I got it back with the INF focus off, and when my local guy agreed to "redo" it with printed DYI instructions, he saw that the "re-lube" was only 1/2 done, and the lens was not put back together properly.

So, I'd say... Just send him Genuine Leica stuff. not any clones..

Some repair people are like Dr's... they are brand specialists.
They need to stay that way to keep "off-brand" repair customers for someone else. And that's fine... That they are good at.

I am sure that he is very good, just not with some off Leica brands, from my 1st experience, and after a few emails to confirm that he can indeed do a re-lube on a Contax RF Clone.
He may have been over confident, or did not take my re-lube seriously and did a half hearted job. Whatever the case, it was returned 1/2 done and not reassembled properly.

It is all resolved now, but, I just had to give another side that can happen at times, even with good repair people.

 

[Ljós]

I must disagree. His work was decent but he 'replaced' my Black Paint M4 brassed rewind knob with a new M6 aluminum one without my knowledge or consent rendering my once original BP M4 no longer original. It took me several months to realize the switch after confirming with a Leica expert.

Christian, I would suppose you contacted Youxin once you realized the replacement? I would think that how he responded matters quite a bit.
I am not of the opinion that threads about repair people etc. should just be echo chambers for praise and adoration. When someone messes up/does something that is perceived as a disservice by the customer, and is subsequently not handled professionally or to the customer's satisfaction - yes, I think that should be mentioned, too. But I also think we should keep in mind that this is someone's livelihood/reputation at stake.
(Btw, I have no dog in this particular race - as someone living in Germany there are more local repair specialists for me to choose from.)
All the best, Ljós

 

[pete hogan]

+YY for my IIf shutter-capping and RF repair and CLA, good and quick, and pleasant to work with.

 

[lewis44]

I must disagree. His work was decent but he 'replaced' my Black Paint M4 brassed rewind knob with a new M6 aluminum one without my knowledge or consent rendering my once original BP M4 no longer original. It took me several months to realize the switch after confirming with a Leica expert.

He had to take the top plate off so the knob had to come off as well to do the work you wanted and probably grabbed the wrong knob. If you did not notice for months it was probably just a mistake that he did not notice either.
I have had great service from him over the years and would send new work to him in a heartbeat.

 

[Samouraï]

I actually met with Youxin at his home back in 2011. He CLA'd my M3 for me, sold me a DR and a few odds and ends. Totally great guy.

 

[burancap]

On the topic of the BP M4 rewind knob ... that can be a confusing part! I researched them for quite a while when replacing one. They are not physically any different than any other knobs, just overpainted. They ultimately wear to brass from silver. It is completely correct to see both materials when they wear.

 

[Pioneer]

My experience with Youxin on Leica equipment has been exceptional and I recommend him highly.

I do own a Tower Type 3 which needed a shutter curtain replacement that has had some troubles ever since but he is always patient and works on it under warranty everytime the curtain comes loose. However I do agree that in my experience his strong point is certainly Leica, M and LTM.

 

[burancap]

On topic, I will almost certainly be sending YY an M shortly. He did a finder rebuild on an M2 for me that was good as new. Turnaround was about two weeks as I recall. Beyond his workmanship, is his excellent communication.

 

[Iestrada]

Everything he has ever handled has been adressed professionally in a timely fashion. Every time I have heard of anyone less than satisfied and contacted him about it , was satisfied with the resolution.

The insidents above are the first I have ever read of displeasure.

I for one will not ever send any of my leica gear to anyone else.

I have dealt with various technicians. Without naming names, some are all high and mighty and perceive themselves as god's gift to humanity, some are too busy to deal with little things such as the various aspects of customer service like communication, and others are just not the nicest.

I have communicated before sending in any gear to Mr. Ye and consulted about the course of action. Before I sent it off I had a clear idea about the service he was going to provide and the cost. I have yet to be disappointed.

Mr. Ye has earned my complete respect and admiration. I highly recommend his services.

However, I would not use him for services he does not explicitly advertise as providing.

 

[x-ray]

I must disagree. His work was decent but he 'replaced' my Black Paint M4 brassed rewind knob with a new M6 aluminum one without my knowledge or consent rendering my once original BP M4 no longer original. It took me several months to realize the switch after confirming with a Leica expert.

I'm curious, did you contact him regarding the issue? If so what was his response? Was it cheerfully corrected if you did? If you didn't, why not if you weren't happy?

This would help give us insight on how he deals with issues.

I'm thinking of sending a lens for a minor adjustment and one I'm buying is there right now for aperture blade cleaning.

I've used Jimmy Koh for my Rollei SL66 bodies and Leica M. As good as Jimmy and his staff are I had to send my M2 back due to early capping after he did a CLA. It wasn't a problem and was cheerfully corrected in short order. He always did first class work on my SL66's and SWC/M. People are people and imperfect so mistakes happen. It's important to see how mistakes are handled though.

 

[Pablito]

I must disagree. His work was decent but he 'replaced' my Black Paint M4 brassed rewind knob with a new M6 aluminum one without my knowledge or consent rendering my once original BP M4 no longer original. It took me several months to realize the switch after confirming with a Leica expert.

Here we are, many posts later, and the question is still unanswered: Did you talk to him about this, and if so, what was his response?

Given that this could be a mistake on his part, with no ill intent, it does not seem fair to trash such a generally well regarded guy on an internet forum without at least asking HIM what might have happened and giving him the opportunity to respond or make it right....

 

[Dektol Dan]

Yy

Yy

He did first class work on a IIIc rebuild for me. If I had to nit pick, he left a couple of wrench marks that a simple home made paper punch mask that could have easily saved his work from whatever slight compromise he left.

He does great work for the cameras that he advertises his repair.

I recommend him highly.

 

[Krosya]

I haven't been active on this forum in some time now. But I recall a similar thread from a couple of years back.
To bring it more on topic - I did send a couple of cameras (Leicas) to him for some CLA/repair back than and to be honest, he was just Ok. Not too bad, but not great. I mean price and turnaround were good, but quality of work.....well, not all that great.
But maybe I'm too picky. I was not impressed by DAG either, for a lot more money and much longer wait.
Bottom line - for many things I learned to do my own repairs. For serious stuff - I may consider these guys.