Today was immensely enjoyable. I spent it with Youxin Ye. Youxin and his wife Wen are two of the world’s foremost experts on Leica film camera repairs.
My M6 was giving me fits with rough winding and finicky film loading. Youxin was kind enough to invite me for an on the spot CLA to salve my wanting to bring the M6 on my upcoming trip to Europe. I learned so much in the hours with him. He spoke of the history of Leica, it good and bad manufactures and the exacting precision and quality of Leica lenses. He feels the manufacture of and rendering from a Leica lens derives from origins in European classical art. He feels the Japanese lenses while of great quality, reflect the the Japanese fascination with bold sharp lines and colors. He does like Takumars.
As I sat at the table in his home, my M6 was completely broken down. The re-wind lever was wobbly but now is like new. Film loading was hit or miss to get straight with the sprockets and it now is perfect. The viewfinder lens was replaced with a new coated lens for better focusing and less glare.
Wen spent time working on cleaning the glass on a 90mm Leica lens. We spoke about fungus removal, when it works and when it does not. She replaced the viewfinders on my camera body.
The living room is stacked with boxes from customers all over the world. This was one of the greatest thrills of my wonderful photographic journey.
