Re: [Leica] My First M3!

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

As it is a user camera* the addition of the frame selector should increase
its value as a shooter. The DS advance mechanism is not as strong, but
considered smoother, as the SS mechanism so it is not that unusual on users
to find this repair/conversion. The original DS mechanism, in cameras that I
have looked at**, sits a little higher than the original SS mechanism which
may be why there is an additional washer with the SS conversion. This
conversion/repair is still offered by Leica as is the conversion to standard
PC connections. The old Leitz flash fitting has a thin raised solid pin in
the recessed "hole" while the a standard PC fitting has a hole in its thick
raised pin. The factory PC terminal conversion is expensive as they change
the whole mounting piece as well. Non-factory repairers just change the
fittings and is much less expensive. I have heard the factory PC conversion
is better as the mounting piece is smaller and less likely to "hit" the
finder if the camera is dropped or knocked about. According to the serial
number your camera should have a glass pressure plate, though again this is
an easily changed piece. The parts were most certainly provided by Leitz but
any competent repairperson could have done the work. As to its worth,
priceless of course!

John Collier

*You do not say why it is a user so I assume it has the usual scuffing and
vulcanite problems. Leica has an inexpensive replacement covering available
for the vulcanite M cameras to make them look fresh again but not original
of course. You can get original vulcanite covered shells but this requires a
great deal of work and the part is expensive.

**I do not own any M3s. Can anyone else comment on the reason for the height
differences?


> From: Doug Cooper <visigoth@echonyc.com>
> 
> 
> 
> Well, I traded some equipment for an M3 today.  Very exciting:  I've
> wanted one my whole life.  And I like this camera a lot.  I'd say
> it's Ex/Ex+ -- finder is crystal clear; curtain is pristine; shutter
> speeds seem dead on.
> 
> I have some questions about my latest foundling, however.  It's a pretty
> early example:  SN 748xxx.  It has what looks to me like the glass
> pressure plate (although it's hard to tell; certainly it's held in place
> the way the glass one was).  But it has certain mods:  it's been converted
> to single stroke, and has a frame preview lever.
> 
> My questions:  
> 
> a) Do these modifications affect the resale value?  (I'm happy with them
> -- they're useful! -- and it's clearly a user's camera; not for a
> collector.  But knowin' me, I'll trade or sell it some day.)
> 
> b) Were these mods probably done by Leica itself?  (The preview lever
> looks pretty authentic.  The film advance lever has an uncoated brass
> assembly -- like a washer -- between it and the body.  Is this a pretty
> standard conversion to single stroke?  There is a black wax plug over the
> screw in the mount, but it doesn't have an "L" embossed, so I'm wondering
> if someone else made these changes.)
> 
> c) I've heard about conversions to M4 flash sync; what would such a mod
> look like?  And what would it do?  (Dunno if I have it.)
> 
> d) What's this thing worth?
> 
> 
> 
> Dumb questions, all.  Truth is, I just really like this camera body, and
> am waiting for the opportunity to shoot with it.  As all my current
> rangefinder lenses are LTM, I'm going to have to buy adapters before I can
> take it out for a test drive.  (Think I'm going to hunt down an old DR
> Summicron, sans eyes<tm Shakespeare>, as per Mike Johnston's suggestion
> long ago.  This will be my cheap and wonderful introduction to Leitz
> glass.)
> 
> My next gig takes me to Kyoto, where discretion is crucial.  I suspect
> I'll be shooting mostly with this and the Canon LTM.
> 
>