Restoring a 85-year-old Leica camera

[@normandong4479]

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]

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]

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

[@sputumtube]

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. :)

[@rickyzagalo]

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

[@jonmnelson]

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.

[@geoffreyanthony4276]

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.

[@KarinMajoka]

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!

[@pushingfilm]

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

[@johngskewes]

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.

[@robinj.9329]

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!

[@thienphunguyen5496]

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!

[@avengedart6648]

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.

[@yttean98]

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

[@jimfranklin9770]

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.

[@BobShrader]

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

[@passcomcompass2623]

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.

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

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.

[@danbuchman7497]

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.

[@siggimac]

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

[@Fortisnocte149]

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.

[@olafrotkohl5898]

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!

[@colinosullivan930]

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

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks so much! This means a lot to us.

[@robinj.9329]

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!

[@eddyjcreative100]

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

[@maangamandai]

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

[@LindaEnfield]

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

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@stonehenges5722]

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

[@davidhughes7652]

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

[@davegball]

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

[@BeingWolfy]

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.

[@SteveMorton]

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.

[@VictorWyatt]

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

[@d.idowuolutosin4250]

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

[@jasonwhitehead4068]

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

[@GeorgeStar]

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.

[@Riccardo_Mori]

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

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]

Thanks a lot for your kind comment. 🙏🏻

[@xiaonanwang4589]

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!

[@ImperfectPhotography]

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

[@vinyljunkie64]

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

[@PGphoto2011]

What a wonderful video, awesome work Jules!

[@davidroberts6766]

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.

[@stevenbudd3725]

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!

[@ameliecs6941]

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]

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

[@elessar60]

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

[@jeg569]

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

[@schonja4927]

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.

[@berndtwiest4571]

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

[@SettyM]

The Joy and Bliss in your voice.

[@Crushenator500]

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.

[@AndersKeisHansen]

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!

[@antothemanto77]

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

[@Sutlore007]

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

[@thisisalizard7995]

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

[@richardg6109]

Fantastic story and video. Jules!

[@3BMEP]

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

[@chrisbone7149]

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

[@Jack-qn6vy]

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

[@TheHDAli]

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

[@rileysmithphoto]

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

[@YurievOlmos]

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

[@TheRothbury]

Fascinating; it made me appreciate my IIIg even more.

[@AnalogInsights]

This sounds wonderful. Thanks for your comment.

[@gu4xinim]

Same, but I have a zorki.

[@donaldlampert331]

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!

[@epstar83]

Superb story! Love the images and the camera!

[@janvanderwalt]

I truly enjoy seeing videos such as these. I inherited a Fujica STX-1 this January from my wife's late grandmother, and I am really enjoying the camera. As they were made to be enjoyed.

[@GaetanCormier]

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!

[@Skux720]

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.

[@prajeethk4348]

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...

[@sergiomanrique88]

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

[@joebond4398]

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!

[@the_last_rangefinder_society]

Agree, a wonderful story, and significant how much more meaningful the narratives behind these classic designs make the contemporary usage of them.....these cameras really were a companion for life....and thanks to Jules....multiple lives.....I thought about this in the last couple.of days photographing the preparations for the Queen's funeral (herself a lifelong Leica user) in London with my 3F.......

[@ZoneFocused]

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!

[@calvinlewis8924]

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

[@vpnels]

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

[@jklphoto]

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!

[@funbichons5215]

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.

[@MatthijsLangerman]

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

[@MartinLeschinski]

stunning work! I‘m blown away

[@OHMYGORDNESS]

postcard came out really cool

[@danielwalsh492]

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

[@sophietucker1255]

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.

[@michaelmeyers4917]

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!

[@brycepowell5770]

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

[@elbrooks]

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.

[@MoghulVeyron]

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.

[@MarcoRoepers]

Beautiful story and craftsmanship

[@john_murch]

Such a great story and happy for you and your re-born Barnack Leica. It would be great if you could shoot it again in Greece, Hungary and Switzerland some day. Thank you for sharing...

[@fabianoliver3939]

What a great episode. Is very touching to receive a leica as a gift. is very important too to know his history as you describe. Last summer i bought a non working IIIf, and i cla'd myself. What a nice experience. Inside the camera has all the service date it receives....las one was 38 years ago, and i with respect i inscribed my repair date. it was like a watch. thanks for your video, and enjoy it.

[@maxwellwellmax878]

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!!.

[@TheDecguy]

Loved watching this episode. The family connection is irreplaceable. I have a lllf with A3.5 Elmer which was given to me by a close friend prior to his passing. The leather has fallen off, the Elmer is hard to focus, the shutter is inconsistent, etc. l know I have the skills to clean and lube the lens but going through the entire camera like Jules did is beyond my skill set. I’m glad you we able to get a family keepsake like yours operational. You are also lucky to have a friend who was willing to take on the project. This may give me the inspiration to a least get the lens cleaned up.

[@xiaodu87]

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!

[@venerkharisov4719]

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.

[@Kevon420]

I’d love to see a restoration of a beat up M3, which are even more mechanically beautiful. Great video. These Leica camera can last you a lifetime if you know how to take care of them.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Saw this maybe two years ago. So happy for you inherriting such an elegant instrument. Your photos very professional caliber. I hope to own a Leica someday but am very happy with my S nikon which I refurbished two years ago. It has a Leica film speed and advance lever. Ive been lead to believe it is not designed to shoot color. But i do. I hope to try pluss x in it someday just to tighten the image and see what the camera will do. Your very lucky to have friend who repares cameras. Apparently my range mechanism is so delicate i mussent touch it. I would like to clean the viewfinder but the coatings in the mirror are microns thick. If i were to touch it the mirror would disolve. Its only a vacume deposited aluminum mirror not unlike telescopes. I am not 100% sure of these facts but have deduced from previous experiences. Thank you for showing what a Leica will do. Good health to you. Bye!😅

[@原田明-n5q]

Thank you for your talking always about many Japanese cameras and Leica. From Japan.

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

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

[@mikebaginy8731]

A beautiful camera with interesting history! I wish you great success and enjoyment using your "antique" Leica. Tears still come to my eyes when I recall that when switching to digital, I sold me M3 double-stroke with dual range 50/2. I was foolish.

[@dennisng4627]

I have enjoyed your passion for all things photography. Your wonderful & eloquent story of your uncle’s Leica is one of my favorite (Maitani is someone with whom I have admired for a long time-I owned 3 vintage Olympus pen & a digital Pen F in his honor). You have inherited a family treasure, please feature more shoots with it. Also, would have enjoy a video on Jules restoration process. A remarkable work. Lovely photo postcard of the Porsche parked in front of the Bauhaus building. Thank you for sharing.

[@brucecutts8841]

Great film - I have a IIIc that I love using on a daily basis.

[@michaelvincent121]

I have a lllf my grandfather bought new. I am just waiting for it to come back from a rebuild. This video got me soooo excited Thank you.