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Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Gabe Ginsburg interviews Leica camera and lens repairman Don Goldberg (DAG), who has been in the business for 48 years, revealing the dangers of amateur camera repair attempts and the negative impact of the internet on the industry.

Here is an excerpt: "The thing about camera repair right now is that people are trying to fix their own cameras and they louse it up like you wouldn't believe," says Goldberg. "In fact, it's not water damage or fire or anything like that. It is people tampering with their cameras. They ruin them, and then they mess up the screws." Goldberg goes on to explain that even experienced repairmen can have trouble repairing cameras that have been tampered with, as it can be difficult to restore the camera to its original state."

Read the full interview:
https://www.notes.nicefilmclub.com/posts/interview-with-don-goldberg-a-leica-repair-master

Apr 24, 2023 at 10:46 AM

RustyRus
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Thats an interesting article...Dude sounds a bit grumpy but other than that good info.

Its funny because the video he linked to about fixing your own Leica, I saw that and thought it was somewhat suspect. Im not dropping 5K on a camera and then trying to fix it myself. Good stuff

Edited on Apr 24, 2023 at 01:26 PM · View previous versions

Apr 24, 2023 at 11:34 AM

skirk
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

We are losing so many talented individuals who spent years and years to master a craft that many take for granted. Seems no one wants to spend the time or the effort to learn how to properly build or repair anything anymore. The internet has given people the impression that you can just watch a video and be able to repair or build anything. May be true in some instances but with truly intricate work, like camera/lens repair not so much. I admire people like Don Goldberg but I fear many of his kind are a dying breed. Great interview.

Apr 24, 2023 at 11:57 AM

airfrogusmc
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Don is terrific.

Edited on Apr 24, 2023 at 12:35 PM · View previous versions

Apr 24, 2023 at 12:01 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

"Gabe Ginsburg" almost sounds like a pseudonym for Don Goldberg.

I've used Don lots of time. Excellent work.

Apr 24, 2023 at 12:25 PM

Matt Kerby
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

That was an interesting read...Glad he's teaching his son. His service is invaluable.

Apr 24, 2023 at 01:25 PM

panos.v
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Step 1...make your own tools. 😯

Apr 24, 2023 at 03:29 PM

cbass
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

I would have never guessed the guy talks so much about anal.

He seems grumpy, but I don't blame him. All those years working with customers I am surprised he is sane. People can wear you down over time.

Apr 24, 2023 at 09:05 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

skirk wrote:
Seems no one wants to spend the time or the effort to learn how to properly build or repair anything anymore.

Problem might be more that few want to pay what such increasingly niche services really cost to remain sustainable.

Also, new mainstream gear is designed more and more to be modularly replaceable. Replace a module rather than repairing the potentially minor defect in it. On one hand it makes servicing simpler, faster and easier to train technicians. But on the other, more wasteful.

Apr 25, 2023 at 12:05 AM

richyirich
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Don has fixed my M6 in the past, and is currently working on my 28mm lens. He's a true master when it comes to repairing Leica cameras and lenses.

Apr 25, 2023 at 09:07 AM

retrofocus
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

I haven't used his services so far. I had all work done by YYeCamera who is also very responsive and fast both for general inquries and service updates.

Apr 25, 2023 at 09:19 AM

Gary Clennan
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Don is the absolute king of Leica repair. IMO - there are no other Leica techs in North America as knowledgeable and competent as he is. It's worth a visit to his website just to read through the FAQ's. Absolutely hilarious.

Apr 25, 2023 at 12:03 PM

burningheart
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Gary Clennan wrote:
Don is the absolute king of Leica repair. IMO - there are no other Leica techs in North America as knowledgeable and competent as he is. It's worth a visit to his website just to read through the FAQ's. Absolutely hilarious.

Welcome back Gary it seems like forever when you last posted.

I have see many Leica lenses out there that Don has repaired.

Apr 25, 2023 at 01:14 PM

Gary Clennan
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

burningheart wrote:
Welcome back Gary it seems like forever when you last posted.

I have see many Leica lenses out there that Don has repaired.

Hey thanks! I will make a post or two every 5yrs.

Great to hear from you. I need to visit more often.

Apr 25, 2023 at 01:50 PM

cbass
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

The only thing I have to say is I am worried Don is attributing too many botched repair jobs to amateurs. I am sure they account for a large majority, but have you seen the work some of today's "experts" or those claiming to have done? Very few are trained masters with almost a half century of experience.

Apr 25, 2023 at 11:13 PM

panos.v
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

cbass wrote:
The only thing I have to say is I am worried Don is attributing too many botched repair jobs to amateurs. I am sure they account for a large majority, but have you seen the work some of today's "experts" or those claiming to have done? Very few are trained masters with almost a half century of experience.

True. My M4 was "adjusted" to focus to 1m because "that's what those old cameras like the M4 and M3 did".

The moron literally bent the cam arm to make it not focus correctly. I mean..how retartded do you have to be to do that?

The next tech had an expletive ladden rant about amateurs posing as repairers nowadays...

Apr 26, 2023 at 06:51 AM

retrofocus
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Some humorous writing but also a bit push-away when it comes to his comments regarding calls and especially emails from customers. Other services reply very quick to inquiries via email.....

Apr 26, 2023 at 07:28 AM

Gary Clennan
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

retrofocus wrote:
Some humorous writing but also a bit push-away when it comes to his comments regarding calls and especially emails from customers. Other services reply very quick to inquiries via email.....

Yeah - that would certainly rub some people the wrong way. I've had casual chats with him on many occasions and have gotten to know him a bit. It's more a personality thing IMO. YYE would be better with communication perhaps but I prefer Don.

Apr 26, 2023 at 07:51 AM

highdesertmesa
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

Don's work is great. It's hard having to work with the average public on things that are so technical.

I once asked him about the 35 Lux pre-ASPH I bought used from Leica Miami that was labeled as "DAG CLA" and the year of the CLA. I had emailed him because the focus action was a bit inconsistent. He replied that serial number had a focus tab replaced and minor focus lubrication but not a CLA – and the work had been done in December of the year prior to the year advertised as the CLA year. In any case, I sent it to him for a full overhaul, and it came back perfect. Point being, he keeps pretty good records of his work.

Apr 26, 2023 at 09:20 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Interview with Don Goldberg (DAG): A Leica Repair Master

retrofocus wrote:
Some humorous writing but also a bit push-away when it comes to his comments regarding calls and especially emails from customers. Other services reply very quick to inquiries via email.....

---------------------------------------------

Gary Clennan wrote:
Yeah - that would certainly rub some people the wrong way. I've had casual chats with him on many occasions and have gotten to know him a bit. It's more a personality thing IMO. YYE would be better with communication perhaps but I prefer Don.

I admire Don's straightforwardness in our email exchanges, as he maintains a polite and direct approach, both of which are excellent qualities for a technician. Whenever I bug him for the nitty-gritty of his repair strategies, he's always patient and explains everything to me in detail.

Apr 26, 2023 at 09:42 AM

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