My grandfather was an amateur photographer with a great collection of cameras which I inherited several years ago. One of them is a Leica M3, black color, in mint condition. I have the brown leather leica case, an extra lens, the instruction book, and the box it came in. I would love to learn to use it, however, the instruction book is difficult to understand. Any suggestions on books or sources that could teach me how? Th

-- Megan gerhardt (megan_gerhardt@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001

Answers

If you wish to drop by Philadelphia, my PLUG friends Kyle and I could help you do a refresher's course with the Leica M3 :)... It's a most wonderful model and you're lucky to inherit such a beauty.

Alfie

-- Alfie Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 06, 2001.

Some tips on the Leica M3:

1) Remember that M3 is bottom/back loading. There should be a flap from the back you can tip down and you have to load the film from the bottom.

2) Remember that there isn't a meter built in so basically you can use the Voigtlander VC meter to add to the accessory shoe which is described on cameraquest.com.

3) If you want faster rapid shooting use Tom Abrahamsson's Rapidwinder to help ya in that respect. It's a helluva design and even Leica admits that they won't touch it because Tom makes it so well. It's worth checking on cameraquest.com for further details.

4) By the way, the version of the Black Paint M3 with black paint 50mm Summicron is the rarest edition. Do you have that particular model? Check out at: http://www.cameraquest.com/lm3blk.htm to see a pic of it :)

5) Most importantly, remember that the challenges of working using a Leica is evident in thinking artistically and photographically not easily. Also remember not to take shots which other people have taken before :) That's all one needs to say.

Have fun with the M3 definitely! :) and also

6) Shoot wide open. Leica's are incomparable in that domain (although some argue that Nikon are up to the challenge).

Leicafully, Alfie :)

-- Alfie Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 06, 2001.

If you do have an original M3 Black paint in mint condition, it is worth a small fortune. Even though I am a believer in shooting with cameras and not just collecting/showing them, I might make an exception in this case. Even small scratches from normal use will reduce the value of the camera. I know others here might disagree with me for saying this, but think if YOU were given a mint M3 black paint, would you just throw it in the camera bag and around your neck and go out shooting as if it was a regular $900 M3?

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), November 06, 2001.

I agree with Andrew. Using the camera for a few months however carefully could reduce the value thousands maybe (not really sure of its value interested if someone knows). However if you don't care you've got a wonderful camera. There is magic in these cameras especially one handed down from a family member. IMO Black painted worn Leicas with the brass showing are the most beautiful.

-- Gerry Widen (gwiden@alliancepartners.org), November 06, 2001.

Megan,

If you have an original black M3 in mint condition it is worth at the very least US$5,000 and you should carefully consider what Andrew has said.

If you ever do decide to sell the camera your best bet would be to avoid selling it to a dealer and instead put it up for auction on ebay. You can of course buy a new M6 for around $1600 (which has a inbuilt meter) and end up with enough money left over to have a good holiday or whatever.

If you give us the serial number of the camera we can tell you whether it is an original black paint M3.

-- sam smith (Ruy_Lopez@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001.

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I should clarify, my camera is black but it's not black painted, I checked out the picture and mine just has a chrome top and lens, not a black painted one. I wasn't sure if there were other colors the Leica came in or not. I do have the light meter on the top. I know the camera is a gem, and I will probably stick with one of the others I inherited from him (a Yashica, a Canon, and a top-viewing camera that is even MORE confusing than the Leica), at least until I feel more comfortable with it. Is the one I have still valuable? It is truly in mint condition, I have a brown leather Leica case, the instruction book, the box, and another lens. I don't want to sell it, but I should get it insured.

-- Megan Gerhardt (megan_gerhardt@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001.

A truely mint M3 with a couple of lenses is probably worth, depending on the type and condition of the lenses, $1500-$2000 maybe more. I think you should insure the lot for $1500 at least.

-- sam smith (Ruy_Lopez@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001.

Megan, if you can possibly take an intro photo course at the junior college (or elsewhere), you will learn to use your cameras confidently and it will probably lead to a lifetime of satisfaction as you follow in your grandfather's footsteps. Start learning with the "top viewing camera" and work your way to the M3. They will become lifelong companions for you.

Happy shooting.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), November 06, 2001.

Megan,
A mint chrome M3 with papers and boxes, is still valueable to collectors, but not nearly as much as the black paint version. While I am not a collector nor a Leica expert, I am sure someone in this forum can give you an idea of the value if you provide serial numbers and details on what exactly you have. Like: What is the name/type of the lenses eg. "summicron 50 mm f.2.0 serial # xxxx" does the box have the same serial number as the camera etc. (Original Leica papers/boxes can add significantly to the value, but the key to a precise answer is details).

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), November 06, 2001.

Usually I am very much an anti-collector and I use my black paint M6 TTL limited Dragon and LHSA and matching black paint lenses as standard everyday tools. However the black paint M3 is the exception. I really think you should sell it to a museam or a collector for the sake of history. Money is really not the issue. You can use and trash an M6 any day but this something entirely different. Just my opinion!

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), November 06, 2001.

Shoot, forgetting collecting it :) Use it well and don't mind those who want to keep Leica unused mint. That's why I tagged and stickered my FED 3 :)

Alfie :)

-- Albert Wang (albert.wang@ibx.com), November 07, 2001.