steven_burch Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 <p>Hello all, I just want to tell everyone here about my experience getting my Leica M4-2 repaired by Youxin Ye. I had a VERY bad experience with one of his competitors who botched the overhaul of my IIIf. That person kept my camera for over a year, damaged the lens mount screws, left debris in my viewfinder/rangefinder, and even though I specifically asked him to repair my dim rangefinder (which entails replacement of the beam splitter glass) he did a hack job and added a glob of black paint on the glass to "increase contrast" instead. But that's another story.</p> <p>My M4-2 is in what I would consider good user condition. The back door was missing its vulcanite, it has a couple of small chips missing from the vulcanite as well. The top cover has some minor dings, the rewind knob was bent by the previous owner who apparently dropped the camera. The viewfinder was very foggy and downright hard to see through. The shutter was very erratic, none of the speeds seemed to be accurate. It needed a bit of help! </p> <p>So I emailed Youxin about getting it serviced. He responded within minutes. His replies to my emails were exceedingly polite and knowledgeable, and after a few messages back and forth I was fully confident that he was the right person for the job. His quoted price was reasonable. Not the cheapest but reasonable. </p> <p>So I mailed him the camera and the day after it was delivered Youxin emailed to tell me the camera was ready. That was a very pleasant surprise! So two days later I get my camera back in the mail. So, being the perfectionist that I am I very carefully checked every function of the camera. Mechanism super smooth. Shutter speeds are right on. Rangefinder right on. Viewfinder perfectly clean. He even hand-cut a matching piece of leatherette for the back door, and repaired the rewind knob!</p> <p>I highly recommend Youxin Ye for any Leica repair. He is truly a Leica master and a wonderful person as well. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_wheatland Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 <p>I and two friends have used Youxin to overhaul several Leicas over the last dozen or so years. Work has been successful, prompt and reasonable. I had a re-do done while I waited at no charge, a partial CLA done for chump change because of frozen machine screws, camera worked fine after same! Frankly, I'd not send my cameras elsewhere! The trio of Al, John, and Paul can attest to my comments.p</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 <p>He did a very good job for me on a Canon P and a Tanaka LTM lens....answered all my questions in a timely manner, completed the work quickly, and I was very pleased with the experience.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_viny Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 <p>I've had him service my M2. He's a real gentleman. His work is excellent, his prices are fair, and his timelines and short.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chandos_michael_brown Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 <p>Youxin Ye is a treasure. He did some major work for me on a modified M-4P (replacing an already converted M3 vf with a better one, which I supplied). I wouldn't think twice about sending him a camera. Wonderfully communicative, too.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allancobb Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Another vote for Mr. Ye. I had a Leica II Model D from 1932 with a torn shutter curtain, among other things. It came back working flawlessly. His next project of mine was a Canon IIb that had many issues, again including shutter curtains and inop speeds. It now works like the day it came out of the store. Ditto on everything, communication, turnaround times and prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stric Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 <p>One more vote for Youxin. I've used him twice, once for camera CLA and repair, and once for an old lens CLA and repair. One thing that i really like about him is the turn-around time. Whereas other more reputable Leica repair-shops take forever to complete work one can negotiate with Youxin and get things done faster. His prices went up in the last couple of years, and I wish he didn't do that, but I guess he had to capitalize on growing popularity.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoresteen Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 <p>Thanks guys! I just shipped Youxin my IIIf for a curtian replacement job and two Canon screw-mounts lenses for service. This is the first time I am using him.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_ascherl Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 <p>I've had him do CLA on three lens: Telyt 200/4.0, Summarex, and Summarit 50/1.5. In all cases, fast turnaround, sensible price, very nice work! He's my "go-to" Leica repair service now.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian1664876441 Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 I've sent many Leica cameras to Youxin, A Nicca III, and even a Leotax D-IV. He's a great person, and a skilled artist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray_dicecca Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 <p>Nothing but great things to say about Youxin! I have used him several times for my various Leicas.</p> <p>This past Fall, I went to his home and spent the afternoon watching him work on my recently purchased IIIf RDST w/Leicavit and 50 Collapsible Summicron. The IIIf's self-timer needed some adjustment to trip the shutter; the Leicavit needed some light lubrication; and the Summicron was hazy and needed to be disassembled and cleaned along with the aperture blades (couldn't believe how dirty they were).</p> <p>All in all, a great job by Youxin; the price was very reasonable, and a nice afternoon spent with an excellent repairman.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerwb Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 <p>The man is a treasure. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen_h Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 <p>Fom: http://www.yyecamera.com/price_list.html</p> <p>$150 for CLA on Ia through IIIf without self timer.</p> <p>Not cheap, but less than I might have guessed. From what I read here, that probably lasts for 30 years or so.</p> <p>Well, you can get a Canon P that works without CLA for about that price, but then again, it isn't a Leica.</p> -- glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donzash_donzash Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 <p>How did you guys send the camera?<br> Did you receive a work order or quotation?<br> I am a bit hesitant to send an expensive camera without anything official.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micahbrubin Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 This post is a bit old but felt compelled to add my recient experience with YYE. Not good. I sent in 2 lenses - a Summicron 35 ASPH and a 50 LHSA Summilux 1.4. I agree his prices were fair and turnaround quick. When I received the lenses back and my Summilux lens was significantly damaged. The visible damage was a bent filter ring. I contacted Youxin who said the lens was damaged when he received it which means it was damaged during shipping to him or there's some untruth going on and it was damaged either during his care or during return shipping back to me. I had spend $65 to ship the lens insured to him but since i (or YYE) didn't have a picture of the box the lens was shipped in, the claim was declined. It's also worth noting, he does not insure lenses when sending them back. So end of the day, I just received a $1600 repair estimate from Leica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Since my original comment I've had Mr. Ye CLA a Leica iif for me. Not only was it done quickly and well, he also sent me a note regarding a part of the shutter release linkage, which he noted was weak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Sorry, my keyboard dropped dead in the midst of my commentary above. It should continue to read " and he suggested that I release the shutter gently, so as to not further weaken the linkage. He searched for a replacement, but as the camera is over 60 years old couldn't find one. Anyway, it works great now and I've carefully followed his advice to ensure its extended longevity". As it is, I'm preparing to send him another oldie but goody in the next month or so, which needs to be refreshed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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