Re: [Leica] My First M3!

["Roland Smith" <roland@dnai.com>]

Hello Doug:

After years of using LTMs from my original acquisition of a IIIg to my use
of IIIc and two IIIfs, I purchased a M3, 1998.  I, now, can't believe how I
held out so long.   Actually, at the time, 1957, that I bought my IIIg new,
friends wondered why I didn't select an M3.

Accept for the rangefinder more to my liking with the LTMs, I find the M3s
and the M4-2 easier to use.   I am using LTM lenses as well as M lenses.

For adapters, Stephen Gandy can provide a set of the three types for $100
plus shipping and California sales tax if you are a resident.   I find they
word as well and the ones manufactured by Leitz and selling used for at
least twice as much.  LeicaNikon@Earthlink.net

I find the M3 so much better to travel with.   The smooth quiet shutter
beats the SLR systems that I have tried and I can hand hold slower shutter
speeds.

Roland Smith
roland@dnai.com

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Cooper <visigoth@echonyc.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Cc: <leica-users-digest@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 9:07 PM
Subject: [Leica] My First M3!


>
>
> 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.
>
>
> cheers all,
>
> Douglas Cooper
>
>