Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bob Walkden wrote: > It's my understanding that M3s whose serial # > 1,000,000 command a > premium because the people in Wetzlar were by then fully trained and > experienced in building them, and that consequently the M3s were better > made than earlier ones. IMO that's just myth. It's hard to believe that the people making the cameras from #900,000 to #1,000,000 were any less skillful than those that were building the cameras after that. I'd wager that many were the same crew. The only thing that differentiates those of the higher serial numbers is their collectable status. > However, given that all surviving M3s numbered below 1 million are now > at least 41 years old, surely by now they've done enough to prove their > build quality...? My M3 is #96 .... (don't recall exactly) It was made in the summer of 1959, which makes it 42 years old. I'd say it's quality and durability is as good as any higher numbered Leica. If I were buying an M3 I'd want a later one, just to have all the features, but I wouldn't buy it expecting that any particular serial number is better built than another. - -- Shel Belinkoff mailto:belinkoff@earthlink.net