Hi

I am going to take a look on a M3 with 50F2 Sumicron, hood, light meter, case, Knife? + 5 cassets? The seller says that the M3 is in great shape. And is probably from the very late fities. I plan to check the shutter at both the fast and slow times, the rangefinder (the best I can do without actually take a film), and take a look through the lens.

Is there anything else I can check before buying, without actualy taking a film/bringing the camera out.

The seller ask US1000 I guess that this is OK if the camera is fine.

Thanks in advance Kaj

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draunir.dk), April 19, 2001

Answers

Have a look here:

http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

and then scroll down to the section "M Buyer's Checklist" near the bottom.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), April 19, 2001.

Two things I'd also look for: does it require 2 strokes of the wind lever to advance to the next frame, or one? The double-stroke advance mechanisms (older models)are no longer serviceable so if there's any problem with it you'd need to have it replaced with a single-stroke mechansim, an expensive proposition. Second, bring a small pocket flashlight (torch to some english-speakers outside the US). Remove the lens from the body, hold the light behind the rear element and look at about a 45-degree angle at the front. Many of the early 50/2 lenses have coating breakdown on the front element which is sometimes only really visible this way. The price you quoted is quite reasonable for a M3 + lens, so it's worth some checking into to make sure there isn't a "catch".

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 19, 2001.

John Van Stelten [ The Focal Point, 303-665-6640] polished the old coating off a late 1950s collapsible Summicron, applied a new and presumably better coating, cleaned the entire lens and lubricated the helical about a month ago for $175 plus shipping. If the glass has been deeply scratched or etched, though, this might not be possible.......................

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), April 19, 2001.

Also, some M3's (early ones) didn't have the frame selector lever. This isn't a major issue, since the lenses will automatically select the correct frame. But all other things being equal, I prefer to have a frame selector. Actually, if it should turn out to be a double-stroker without a frame selector, I would say the price is OK but not a bargain, especially if it hasn't had a CLA fairly recently. I saw an almost mint M3 (no lens)of this type last week for $800. And I'll tell you where if you ask.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 19, 2001.

actually early M3s- low 7XX,XXX number, glass pressure plate, no selector- have become very collectable. One in nice but not mint condition went on eBay this week for upwards of $1300.........

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), April 19, 2001.

Yes, the one I looked at was somewhere in the 7XX XXX range. High or low, I don't recall. I forgot all about those glass pressure plates. Does this actually contribute to film flatness?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), April 20, 2001.

Well Bob, I always tought the glass presure plate on one of my M3Žs (758xxx) was a mistake but now that you mention it, it is actualy pretty flat, for me is risky, but let me tell you this M3 has been the most hard used of my leicas and never a problem with it, any way Kaj if you find a mint leica and lens for that price, add $120.USD for CLA and for sure youŽll have a Leica for you and your grand children.Double stroke systems are hard to weare down, very comfortable and fast, well you all know about it.

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 20, 2001.

Hi Thanks for the answers, I went yesterday and the M3 was perfect only some very minor marks (not scratches)the serial number is 1042XXX so it is made in 1961 every thing is running as new, the Sumicron is perfect in every way, every thing is there (meter, cords, hood, cab for the hood, cab for the lens, everready case, Box & users guide) In the kit was included 5 strange cassets (Leitz made, brass) - to load bulk film in. Anybody who knows how to use them?

Unfornately the price had been pushed up so I had to pay much more than I was prepered to (but I was hooked).

But when I drove home (with the camera) a thought popped up - can I use this? Or is it better keept on the shelf due to the perfect condition?

Regards

Kaj

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draupnir.dk), April 24, 2001.

Congratulations Kaj, you got I nice piece as I can read, I will always recomend a CLA, unless youŽre going to store it, for that I recomend you run a few rolls of film through it, and youŽll end up useing it for sure, after all in 20 years of use it wonŽt worth a penny less than it does now.Use it youŽll fall in love with it.

-- R Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 24, 2001.

Whether to use it or store it ...? I have no doubts myself. I own two of them, a SS and a DS, and use both of them the most I can. But it all depends upon what you want, of course: enjoy them or keep their value high and hope that it gets even higher in time (which will certainly happen). But who could feel entitled to tell you what you want? Not me, of course. Perhaps yourself, I guess. Congratulations for your purchase any way. Ivan

-- Ivan Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), April 25, 2001.