I am compelled to add high praise for Youxin.
He has done a meticulous work on several Canon LTM lenses (85 f1.8, 19 f3.5, 28 f 2.8, 50 f1.4 Leica early summicron-M 35mm and Leica IIIf,) He is very responsive, sending detailed info on the results of his work. Very timely too.If he cant do something he will immediately tell you (for example not able to CLA 400mm Minolta AF lens) . All the rangefinder items were repaired to my perfectionist satisfaction (I am not a lens repair tech, but i seek perfection in the output). All the lenses i use to take pictures and not keep as "my precious.." . Granted these were not stratospheric collectors items, and had just haze dust and grime to clean out and adjust focus and aperture, and most were in $200-400 range. It just would not make sense to send lenses to so called "masters" at double or triple rate, might as well just buy another lens. Moreover, when i called Sherry, she said she is too busy and suggested i call in a few months and MAYBE she will be able to take something to work on. Another "master" just cussed me how dare i unscrew anything off a Leica lens (I told him that I had unscrewed the front element trying to remove flaked off black paint chip but could not get it out and replaced the element and needed his service to CLA the lens)" He was outright nasty, needless to say, the lens did not go to him..
On the other hand, John Van Stelten has a unique niche and i used him to polish and re-coat scratched up early version of Summarit 50 f1.5. It came back looking like it just came off assembly line! and yes he charges for the work.
I think comments about someone work space belong to a government agency bureaucrat and have no place in this discussion! Just google photos of Einstein's desk!!
So I felt compelled to bring some common sense into discussion,- I believe there is a place for a reliable timely repair service for a routine issue that will take care of 95-99% and there is a place for a work that can only be done by a an expert from a rarified group to rescue a heirloom to its glory, etc, and there is a place for someone who has clearly identified special service with special equipment like a recoating chamber.
Youxin, Thank you for the expert work you are doing!
Michael
