Any Practical Difference Between a 993XXX and >1M Serial Number for M3?

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gehrm

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Hi, I am hoping that one of the many experts on this forum can assist me with a fairly ignorant question.

I am the current owner of a 993XXX serial number M3 and have really enjoyed shooting with it. The only thing that could be better is if it were in black so I am planning on sending it to CRR Luton to be repainted.

Since I will be spending a decent amount of money on this project, I would like some help in understanding if there is any real need to sell my camera and purchase a >1M serial number M3 as the base camera? I thought I had heard that the rangefinder was improved on the over 1M M3s, but wanted to see if this was indeed true or if there were other enhancements that would make the swap warranted.

As always, thanks for the help!
 
There is no difference in the late Single-Stroke M3 that you have with DOF indicators and the later ones. I have one just under 1M and sold one with a SN over 1.1M.
 
The theory seems to be that the ones over a million were better built because the workers had that much more experience. Of course that one holds no water at all. The cameras over a mil do seem to bring a higher price in the collector market, but the refinish job would destroy the collector value amyway, so I don't see any reason to buy a newer fifty-year-old body as a base.
Vic
 
As if the camera 999,999 was less well built than the 1m. Silly hogwash if you ask me.

It if is well built and works it is well built and works. I have a beater M3 (975 something) and its as smooth as silk and holding together just fine
 
Silver chrome old Leicas take better photos than custom black paint bodies because you won't be concerned about messing up the pretty. Of course you could buy a gorgeous leather half case, but that just shifts the worry to messing up the case. Your camera spent many years of hard work getting those battle scars. Let her wear them proudly.
 
I totally agree with Al. I just don't understand these folks who spend $$ prettying up their old cameras as if they were their pet poodles. Such a silly bunch of tossers, if you ask me.

As for that discussion about whether 1M+ numbered cameras are better: the only notable source I know of is Karen Nakamura.
 
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With all of the time that has passed since your camera left Wetzlar, one would think that any minor assembly problems would have surfaced and been set right by the service that camera has seen since then.

If there is any doubt in your mind, have CRR Luton do a CLA on the camera when you have it in their shop.

Good shooting and good light-
 
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