[Leica] FS: Unique Leica M3 -- Call it "FrankenLeica"

[len-001 at verizon.net (Leonard Taupier)]

C'mon Dave!  After that description and story of it's doctored life,  
you have us all interested. Actually all panting in anticipation of  
what this mongrel must really look like. C'mon Dave. Just one little  
peek?

Len


On Nov 21, 2008, at 2:28 PM, David Keenan wrote:

> For sale is an early model M3 (sn: 7455xx) was the first Leica M I  
> bought on
> my road back to photography. It became an on-again of-again project to
> "modernize" this camera while retaining the look of a stock M3.
>
> This early model does not have the frame line preview lever and has  
> the old
> "geometric" shutter speeds of 1/5, 1/10. 1/25, and 1/50 of a second  
> (instead
> of the more familiar 1/15, 1/25, and 1/60 of second).
>
> What follows are all of the alternations made to this camera over  
> roughly a
> three year span since I acquired it:
>
> * change old-style flash sockets to modern version
> * replace worn and brassed top plate with new-old-stock (un-serial  
> numbered)
> * install M2 viewfinder to gain 35mm lens frame lines
> * double stroke advance modified to be single stroke
> * install M4 style film take-up mechanism for easier loading and  
> automatic
> resetting of frame counter
> * replace worn Vulcanite with "Red Snake" body cladding from  
> CameraLeather
> (*)
> * Add matching Luigi (Leicatime) Burgundy leather shoulder strap
> * protective plastic covers the top plate and the bottom plate to  
> protect
> against scratches
>
> (*) Two alternate body cladding pieces are also included if wish to  
> return
> the camera to "stock" black cladding or if you'd like to clad the  
> M3 in an
> white Vulcanite-like material. This coverings are made by Asahi in  
> Japan and
> are pre-cut for this generation M3.
>
> The camera is gorgeous. I get comments on it every time I go out  
> with it
> over my shoulder. Cannot claim this camera is in mint condition but  
> I think
> it is safe to say that is would fall between 8.5 - 9.
>
> The viewfinder is bright and clear. The frame lines are aligned. I  
> just shot
> roll film and they came out fine -- most serious mistake occurred  
> when my
> Brainiac 5000 light meter misread a scene -- so I'm sure the  
> shutter speeds
> are okay.
>
> I am selling FrankenLeica to consolidate my camera holdings to just  
> the
> equipment that I use on a more-or-less regular basis.
>
> Not sure what the market will bear for a one-off M3 so I am looking  
> for
> offers.
>
> Pictures can be emailed if interested.
>
> Dave.
>
> -- 
> 2008 PAW Gallery: www.david-keenan.com/paw
> Web Site: www.david-keenan.com
>
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