Restoring a 85-year-old Leica camera

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  • Опубліковано 3 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 344

  • @normandong4479
    @normandong4479 8 місяців тому +3

    Amazing story & video of old Leica repair, a testament to its original precision & design. Takes a bit of patience and courage to overhaul something this old. Results speak for themselves. Makes me cherish my Leica M3 even more.❤❤😊

  • @enduroman2834
    @enduroman2834 4 роки тому +38

    I am working in the exact building in Wetzlar (maybe even on the same floor, who knows) where this camera, or at least parts of it, were made in the 1930s. It is so exciting to see how these little cameras could survive so long and how the world around them changed so drasticly. Love your videos and photography, keep up the great work!

    • @jonlouis2582
      @jonlouis2582 4 роки тому +3

      Yes, it is amazing. I have two also from the mid-thirties that work very well after service!

  • @sputumtube
    @sputumtube Рік тому +3

    Wonderful story. I can feel the passion in your voice regarding this lovely old camera, and Jules did a remarkable job of bring it back to it's former glory. Thanks for posting. Here's to the next 85 years. :)

  • @pushingfilm
    @pushingfilm 4 роки тому +71

    What a great story, really appreciated the sentimental and craftsmanship aspects. Fantastic work on the restoration! 🙂

  • @GeorgeStar
    @GeorgeStar 4 роки тому +1

    A Leica IIIc with Summitar 50mm f2 was one of the few possessions my parents brought to the US when they immigrated after WWII. It started my lifelong love affair with photography when they allowed me to use it at the tender age of about 10. It was stolen many years ago but I can still remember the feel of the winding knob, the unique smell, the sound of the shutter. The Summar was probably the worst lens Leica ever made but it's unbeatable for the fuzzy, flarey look. The IIIc and my parents are long gone and I miss them both terribly but I still have many negatives and prints to remind me of those times. Thanks for bringing back happy memories.

  • @robinj.9329
    @robinj.9329 4 роки тому +4

    Another excellent and Educational experience!
    A teacher I know had to take her old Leica to a "Watchmaker" for inspection and repair. He attends our Church and is also a Photographer and camera collector. Did about the same work as we saw here.
    And her 50's era "Box" now works just fine!

  • @rickyzagalo
    @rickyzagalo 4 роки тому +10

    Pure passion, that's what this episode is about. A delight.
    In fact, right now I realized that, the excellent moments that you share with your followers are, much more than videos about photography, they are moments dedicated to the passion that this world contains where, as in this episode, the pleasure of handling the equipment, has one of the main roles. I really, really, appreciate your videos.
    Thank you.
    Ricardo

  • @KarinMajoka
    @KarinMajoka 4 роки тому +13

    Such a great story - must have been a nice surprise to get a bag full of cameras. And Jules did a wonderful job on the cleaning and repairing!

  • @geoffreyanthony4276
    @geoffreyanthony4276 4 роки тому +4

    As a Leica 3f owner and user this video is a great delight. I;m filled with admiration that Jules undertook this work and the result was so successful. A real inspiration, thank you both.

  • @avengedart6648
    @avengedart6648 4 роки тому +7

    The video has already been released and I haven't yet prepared a glass of wine for watching. I think the Leica after repair is the best choice for everyday photography. Thanks for what you are doing.

  • @jonmnelson
    @jonmnelson 3 роки тому +3

    Your videos are so satisfying, and that camera is a real gem. Anyone would be proud to own it, but how much more special it must be for you to carry on your uncle’s photographic legacy. Beautiful.

  • @OHMYGORDNESS
    @OHMYGORDNESS 3 роки тому +1

    postcard came out really cool

  • @davegball
    @davegball 3 роки тому +1

    I found your channel last week through this video and I'm addicted. Lovely production and great content.

  • @robinj.9329
    @robinj.9329 4 роки тому +3

    I nearly forgot!
    The real beauty of these cameras made long, long ago, IS THEIR QUALITY AND DURABILITY!
    Unlike so many "consumer" products we buy today, which are actually engineered to be "throw aways"!!!!!
    Give me that old time Craftsmanship every time!

  • @johngskewes
    @johngskewes 4 роки тому +2

    My hat is off to Jules, and congratulations to you, Max. Jules did a stunning job - the resorted camera is a thing of beauty - I doff my cap.
    This weekend I was relating to a friend, the story of my selling some of my old woodworking tools. "This tool should be in a hand," I told her. And the same goes for your camera - it should be in a hand, it should be looked through, and partnered with.
    Bravo.

  • @AlejandroGonzalez-AGS
    @AlejandroGonzalez-AGS 4 роки тому +2

    Great story and incredible restoration! I’m lucky to have also inherited a IIIf (black dial) with a 5cm Summitar lens, and original filters! He purchased the camera kit in 1953 while in military service. Serial numbers date to a 1952 manufactured. He took great care of this kit! A few years ago a had it serviced by a local service expert, and only needed basic cleaning and fresh oil. Everything works perfectly...enjoy it! Be safe. Cheers.

  • @passcomcompass2623
    @passcomcompass2623 Рік тому +1

    Great story, not only is it a great camera, but knowing that it was used within the family for generations makes it so much more valuable personally. I inherited an M3 my great-grand father bought 1959 in Hong Kong, with the summilux v.1 along with leather casing, lightmeter etc. He cherished the camera and took it everywhere, later passing it on to one of my grand uncles whom loved photography the most among the brothers, who then also used it intensively for couple decades, he is now 94 years old and going strong. He had two daughters but none like photography particularly, when he knew how I'm into photography he kindly passed it on to me in 2010. This camera introduced the world of film to me.
    Since then I've ditched digital completely, used tons of cameras, but that M3 shoots exclusively all my family events and important personal events. I photographed alot of candid day to day shots of my family, luckily also alot of my grandfather (Eldest brother of the grand uncle whom gave me the camera, and the son of the original owner) before he passed away, I documented the whole process of his sudden illness, peaceful death and the process my family healing from it.
    I will soon be photographing my marriage with it and later document my kids growing up. whom some day would inherit this camera and maybe photography his family and my death. Thinking about this gives a very odd satisfaction. P.S. The M3 really is one of the best Leicas ever made, the summilux v.1 is sometimes too soft wide open though, tack sharp stopped down. P.P.S I heard the III series have very complicated mechanics and are the more difficult models to service in the Leica lineup, the M series redesigned and simplified alot of it, great job reparing it, very talented.

  • @PGphoto2011
    @PGphoto2011 4 роки тому +1

    What a wonderful video, awesome work Jules!

  • @colinosullivan930
    @colinosullivan930 4 роки тому +11

    Max, Jules and Greg. I absolutely love your channel and work. The best ❤️

  • @thienphunguyen5496
    @thienphunguyen5496 4 роки тому +2

    I love the aesthetic of this video, it’s like watching a repair but in an art studio behind glass and during the process being admired by hundreds if not thousands of people. These are the kind of repairs I want to see!

  • @BobShrader
    @BobShrader 3 роки тому +1

    Fantastic work by Jules and a great story about the camera. Thanks for sharing.

  • @xiaonanwang4589
    @xiaonanwang4589 3 роки тому +1

    Beautiful story and beautiful camera! I recently got a 1951 Leica IIIF with the former owner's name "Umbach" engraved on the back of the camera. After watching this video and I feel lucky to own such a beautiful camera and can't help thinking about the stories associated to mine 70-year-old camera. Anyway, thanks a lot for sharing. I think stories like this truely keep film alive!

  • @LindaEnfield
    @LindaEnfield 6 місяців тому +2

    Loved this edition. A wonderful treasure to find and the restoration is perfect. Thank you for sharing

  • @Riccardo_Mori
    @Riccardo_Mori 3 роки тому +1

    "A thank you postcard for my uncle" - that was lovely, and what a great photo you chose for that. Cheers!

  • @ImperfectPhotography
    @ImperfectPhotography 4 роки тому +2

    One of your most interesting videos. You have a very good and very talented friend in Jules!
    Enjoy using your “new” camera!

  • @siggimac
    @siggimac 4 роки тому +8

    Fantastic story. Congratulations to Jules for his craftsmanship. Always looking forward to your videos.

  • @Fortisnocte149
    @Fortisnocte149 4 роки тому +2

    Another serene and beautifully made video. Thank you for the consistent quality and calmness of your work and congratulations on reviving that wonderful outfit for another 80+ years of catching photons on film.

  • @stonehenges5722
    @stonehenges5722 4 роки тому +9

    Thank you. Great to see this kind of video in these times. Had tears in my eyes. I'm just an old softie..

    • @davidhughes7652
      @davidhughes7652 4 роки тому +1

      Same here! You are not the hard man your name suggests.

  • @vinyljunkie64
    @vinyljunkie64 4 роки тому +4

    What a great story and what a great restoration your friend did. Very happy you gave it a good home ❤️

  • @d.idowuolutosin4250
    @d.idowuolutosin4250 4 роки тому +3

    Great story and video Max. These are the type of photography stories we need more on UA-cam. Thank you for sharing.

  • @richardg6109
    @richardg6109 4 роки тому +1

    Fantastic story and video. Jules!

  • @SteveMorton
    @SteveMorton 4 роки тому +1

    Wow what a lovely find and how brilliant to get it restored to fully working condition again. I love the fact that it has stayed in your family since new, that makes it even more special. I know you will enjoy using it when you do. Thank you for sharing this.

  • @yttean98
    @yttean98 4 роки тому +2

    Your videos are always exactly timed, no superfluous images or dialogue. I enjoy watching.

  • @elbrooks
    @elbrooks 4 роки тому +1

    Cool story! I have a IIIg that I reluctantly sold to raise some quick cash. I told myself, I’d buy an M body one day and this made it easier to let go. It stung though. A few weeks later, the buyer claimed the shutter didn’t fire and something else was wrong. I knew he was wrong. I got the camera back and the camera works perfectly. Maybe he’d had buyers remorse, I don’t know. But it came back to me. I don’t think I can ever let it go again. I’ve been shooting just about every day with it since it has come back. What a joy these old, beautiful cameras are.

  • @stevenbudd3725
    @stevenbudd3725 4 роки тому +1

    Great video! I returned to film earlier this year and have acquired a 1952 Leica IIIf 'red dial' with Elmar 50mm f3.5 and adore it. A film test revealed it's close to perfect functionally but it'll still go for a CLA, along with the Elmar to ensure it's tip top.
    It's such a joy to be back shooting film and a Leica M3, with Summicron 50mm f2 v3, Canon EOS 50e, Pentax SV in black, Pentax Spotmatic II, Voigtlander Vito B (1/500 second version), Kodak IIIA, Arette C and Walz 35 are now also in the mix.
    Oh, I've got it bad...
    Marvellous channel - thank you for the brilliant content!

  • @Crushenator500
    @Crushenator500 4 роки тому +1

    My grandfather gave my uncle his Leica M3, and it was recently passed down to me. It's currently sat waiting to be restored with Youxin Ye, I'm hoping to have it back in the mail within a week or two. Can't wait to have it back and finally be able to shoot with it. It still had the factory L seal, it hasn't been serviced once since it was built in the 60's.

  • @sergiomanrique88
    @sergiomanrique88 4 роки тому +1

    incredible and beautifull story!! Photos and camera too!!!!!

  • @jimfranklin9770
    @jimfranklin9770 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you for this special episode. Your friend Jules is truly an artist. I can no longer repair cameras due to a bad shake in my hands, so I appreciate his skills at repair. This episode left me feeling refreshed.

  • @Sutlore007
    @Sutlore007 4 роки тому +1

    Great job of restoring the Leica! your friend is so skillful

  • @jasonwhitehead4068
    @jasonwhitehead4068 4 роки тому +2

    I can’t imagine the joy of been given a box of old cameras. Great episode.

  • @olafrotkohl5898
    @olafrotkohl5898 2 роки тому +1

    I loved this video-full of passion, insight, and lucidity regarding finely made objects and the beauty that can be created using them kindly and carefully. The postcard designed and printed for your great-uncle was a beautiful and heartfelt gesture-very moving. Thank you!

  •  4 роки тому +2

    What a great story and you know how to convey the feelings that repairing that camera gave you. In addition, I really like your black and white photos.

    • @AnalogInsights
      @AnalogInsights  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks a lot for your kind comment. 🙏🏻

  • @TheHDAli
    @TheHDAli 4 роки тому +2

    Eine wundervolle Kamera mit faszinierender Geschichte. Habe selten ein Video so genossen.

  • @BeingWolfy
    @BeingWolfy 2 роки тому +1

    I've watched this video many times since you first released it. I thoroughly enjoy it every time. Thank you. I hope you're getting lots of use out of your beautiful camera.

  • @epstar83
    @epstar83 4 роки тому +1

    Superb story! Love the images and the camera!

  • @ameliecs6941
    @ameliecs6941 4 роки тому +8

    Jules, I hope to thank you in person one day for reviving our family treasure! And Max, I really love your way of story telling and can't wait to go on another shooting stroll together with you :)

  • @karmatik1337
    @karmatik1337 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent reportage Max. Thoroughly enjoyed and glad to here that it all worked out for you.

  • @MartinLeschinski
    @MartinLeschinski 4 роки тому +3

    stunning work! I‘m blown away

  • @donaldlampert331
    @donaldlampert331 3 роки тому +6

    What a history, and the privilege that it must be for you to be the next steward of this camera...... we only wish that they could tell us their stories!
    I hope you guys are all well during this crazy COVID time! Stay safe!

  • @davidroberts6766
    @davidroberts6766 2 роки тому +1

    A wonderful story. It always means more when a camera comes into your hands. My sister recently gifted me a Zeiss Ikon box camera, she got from her 90 year old mother in law. I think it dates to the 1930s as well. I cannot wait to see if it works! Beautiful restoration. Well done, Jules.

  • @sophietucker1255
    @sophietucker1255 4 роки тому +1

    I love the story of your Leica. I have a Hasselblad 500C with the 150mm lens. It belonged to the couple that lived across the street from us. They had a portrait studio in their home. They bought it new in 1965 and it took many portraits through the years. My mother was able to use it in their studio to take my high school year book picture in 1970. It took pictures of several of my girlfriends and at least two Miss Washington pageant winners. I bought the camera in 1977 after they had closed the studio and their home had been burglarized with many items stolen. They made me a great deal and allowed me to make payments for two years. I will never part with this camera just because it is still a joy to use and I think of my mother and the great friends our neighbors were for so many years.

  • @jeg569
    @jeg569 4 роки тому +5

    What an amazing family story, Jules has done a great job on a beautiful family heirloom.

  • @MatthijsLangerman
    @MatthijsLangerman 4 роки тому +1

    I just watched thr video, what a fantastic job on the restoration! The video work was great as always!
    And reading trough the comments there is not one disrespectful comment. The three of you can be proud of that!
    Have a wonderful day, greetings from the Netherlands

  • @schonja4927
    @schonja4927 4 роки тому +1

    Born in Salzburg and living in Munich I absolutely love it when you shoot places I know. It is so stunning to see which compositions and angles you guys come with beeing a lot more skillful than me. Certainly a nice camera too.

  • @chenmunn
    @chenmunn Рік тому

    And that's why vintage cameras and lenses have that hidden mystique behind them. They have seen it all, and when it falls on our hands, it's up to us to continue the stories within those shutters. Yet another great video. This must be the 3rd time I'm watching this.

  • @Skux720
    @Skux720 4 роки тому

    The biggest repair I've done on a camera was to fix the shutter squeak on a Canon A-1, and even then I felt like a master craftsman! It truly is special to restore these old tools and give them a new life. Amazing video and well done to Jules.

  • @maangamandai
    @maangamandai 4 роки тому +1

    Great story. Hope this camera continue, to give joy for generations to come..

  • @mamiyapress
    @mamiyapress 4 роки тому +1

    Great story and result.

  • @MarcoRoepers
    @MarcoRoepers 4 роки тому +1

    Beautiful story and craftsmanship

  • @AndersKeisHansen
    @AndersKeisHansen 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you for another great video! You can always feel the photographic passion in all your videos. Thank you for that, makes me want to go out and take more pictures!

  • @danbuchman7497
    @danbuchman7497 4 роки тому +1

    A wonderful love story. Bravo to Jules, Greg and Max for sharing with us. You are all an inspiration to us who love film, cameras and photography.

  • @antothemanto77
    @antothemanto77 4 роки тому +1

    Another lovely video! Thank you for your continuous, high-quality content!

  • @VictorWyatt
    @VictorWyatt 2 роки тому +1

    I love seeing the work that went into the restoration and that you kept the camera in the family. Excellent!

  • @funbichons5215
    @funbichons5215 4 роки тому +6

    Leica iiia always fascinate me. Smallest of all the Leica iii’s paired with Leica 35mm F3.5 Elmar fits in my pocket. Thanks for another awesome video. Also, nice to see Jules again.

  • @rileysmithphoto
    @rileysmithphoto 4 роки тому +1

    Very cool! The Barnack's are so fun to use. Thank you for this.

  • @UncleDansVintageVinyl
    @UncleDansVintageVinyl 4 роки тому +1

    Lovely video! I have a IIIf, which is a completely joy to use.

  • @MoghulVeyron
    @MoghulVeyron 4 роки тому +1

    Great video and great story dude! It's beautiful to see how this camera can still live on, in a world where things get replaced rather than repaired, analogue cameras keep on surviving.

  • @GaetanCormier
    @GaetanCormier 4 роки тому +1

    What an amazing story! Always top notch videos from you Max! And high five to Jules for this amazing repair job to make the rebirth of this camera!

  • @DonFather
    @DonFather 4 роки тому +27

    My virgin 1st comment on youtube ever! Wow, Jules is very talented. Great video guys.

    • @AnalogInsights
      @AnalogInsights  4 роки тому +2

      Thanks so much for your comment. We really, really appreciate it.

  • @thisisalizard7995
    @thisisalizard7995 4 роки тому +1

    Outstanding. Lovely story, beautifully told. Congratulations to you both. This channel is invariably a joy.

  • @3BMEP
    @3BMEP 4 роки тому +2

    Absolutely brilliant! My IIIa (given to me by my mother) needs just that kind of overhaul as well. 2021!

  • @YurievOlmos
    @YurievOlmos 4 роки тому +1

    The bridge take at 14:18 mark is superb. That is how you expect good film contrast to look like.

  • @bassmarion
    @bassmarion 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome, beautiful story !

  • @elessar60
    @elessar60 4 роки тому +1

    What a great gift from your uncle and even better that you were able to restore and it take some beautiful images.

  • @TheRothbury
    @TheRothbury 4 роки тому +20

    Fascinating; it made me appreciate my IIIg even more.

    • @AnalogInsights
      @AnalogInsights  4 роки тому +2

      This sounds wonderful. Thanks for your comment.

    • @gu4xinim
      @gu4xinim 4 роки тому +3

      Same, but I have a zorki.

  • @vpnels
    @vpnels 4 роки тому +1

    Wonderful story. Great video. Touching and uplifting. Thank you.

  • @Jack-qn6vy
    @Jack-qn6vy Рік тому

    Congratulations on the restoration. Love the patience of your videos.

  • @berndtwiest4571
    @berndtwiest4571 4 роки тому +1

    ABSOLUTELY amazing, this is also a proof how durable these cameras are. Great to see that you get this to work again.

  • @brycepowell5770
    @brycepowell5770 4 роки тому +1

    Wonderful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing this great story. Masterful narration and editing. Felt like I was right there.

  • @PerryCarbonell
    @PerryCarbonell 4 роки тому +1

    Really well done to the classiest film channel!

  • @matteovrizzi
    @matteovrizzi 4 роки тому +1

    Great job Jules!

  • @jklphoto
    @jklphoto 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you for sharing this story, Max. It is truly in the spirit of analog and film to respect the past. Your friend Jules did an incredible job. He is either crazy or very brave! I think the latter!

  • @michaelmeyers4917
    @michaelmeyers4917 4 роки тому +1

    You are very lucky. It is a beautiful camera that will out live you. Its a camera that will go to camera. It just gets better the longer you have it!

  • @SettyM
    @SettyM 4 роки тому +1

    The Joy and Bliss in your voice.

  • @maxwellwellmax878
    @maxwellwellmax878 4 роки тому +1

    My Dad always wanted a Leica but could never afford it. I have been thinking of getting a new MP since I started college, but always put it off. Lately I have been thinking of getting one and passing it on to whichever of my nephews or nieces shows interest in photography. Thank you for your story!!.

  • @prajeethk4348
    @prajeethk4348 3 роки тому +1

    Good job, Jules, for putting life back to the iconic camera and by the way, all photos are stupendous, Max. I too own a Leica IIIf. With love, from India...

  • @xiaodu87
    @xiaodu87 2 роки тому +1

    What a beauty of a camera.
    And a great job to repair it!
    While not using the Leica system,
    I share the liking for the purely mechanic functionality.
    Cool video!

  • @eddyjcreative100
    @eddyjcreative100 3 роки тому +1

    A great friendship produces great photos...and work together ...is second to none...great guys...

  • @danielwalsh492
    @danielwalsh492 4 роки тому +1

    wow! awesome video! great to see another one saved. Barnacks are great fun, I have a lovely Leica ii D in my posession

  • @arthurrmcphee4885
    @arthurrmcphee4885 4 роки тому +1

    What a wonderful experience, thank you for making this video. It's a compliment and credit to Leica that a camera this old still works and can be used and enjoyed today as the day your relatives had enjoyed using it when it was new. I don't hold much confidence in the new cameras of today having this type of longevity and value as a piece of useful photographic equipment.

  • @carltanner9065
    @carltanner9065 4 роки тому +3

    Wow!!! What a find, Max!!!! Lucky your cousin "intercepted" that bag of goodies when she did!!! That is a find and half and I bet Jules had a blast working on it :D I imagine your uncle is pretty happy to see the camera working again and back in use. Now, you've got a real treasure in your possession. Of all your videos, this one is probably the best :D

  • @chrisbone7149
    @chrisbone7149 4 роки тому +2

    A beautiful camera with a remarkable history. Thank you for sharing this story.

  • @giovannimai2717
    @giovannimai2717 4 роки тому +2

    I very appreciated this video as a fan of Leica .... All the best !

  • @ZoneFocused
    @ZoneFocused 4 роки тому +1

    Beautiful story! The way the camera shined after the repairs was great. Dope that the camera still has a lot of life left in it!

  • @joebond4398
    @joebond4398 2 роки тому

    Lovely story and really liked the thank you card! I took a bunch of photos on my grandad's IIc which I found having been in a box for 30 years, but it definitely needs some love now. I need to find a friend like yours!

  • @btrdangerdan2010
    @btrdangerdan2010 4 роки тому +4

    What an honor that your family gave a Leica to you. I inherited a Canon AE-1 P but that's nothing compared to your Leica.

  • @donwillette4520
    @donwillette4520 4 роки тому +1

    One of your best. Well done.

  • @calvinlewis8924
    @calvinlewis8924 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent restoration by Jules! For me Leica defines 35m photography. Makes me appreciate my Leica M3 even more. Thanks!!!

  • @venerkharisov4719
    @venerkharisov4719 4 роки тому +1

    What an Incredible story. Precious piece of history in your hands, thank you for sharing with us this video. This camera was created for black and white masterpieces, I do not know why, but all the colour pictures look bad, at the same time black and white photos look gorgeous.

  • @mariod.9045
    @mariod.9045 4 роки тому +1

    Wow what a impressive Video! Really Nice