My first leica...Leica M3? Need your kind help!

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Nicolás Raddatz

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Hi folks,

Buying an M3 was not high on my list of priorities, in fact, it was not on my list of priorities at all. If I was to buy a Leica, I would have bought an M6 ttl...something with quick loading, meter, with provision for 35mm lens and newer (less possibility of problems in the short term).

I live in south america, so these toys don't pop up very often in auction sites and the like, so i was more or less set to buying from a reputable ebay seller in the US, without having the opportunity to actually holding it in my hand, and you know, hoping everything went smooth. As you can imagine, if i had problems with it, it would be a royal pain sending it back to the seller, etc, etc.

But I've been recently offered a Leica M3, which i can buy locally, and with 6 months warranty. The seller tells me that everything's running fine (shutter, courtains, rangefinder), 9/10 cosmetics, and that prior to giving it to me he'll have it adjusted, cleaned, etc. Serial number 1.035.XXX, single stroke. I can get to actually see the camera right before buying it. 1350 US dollars.

What do you guys think? I know this is a personal decision, but this one is though. I know this is not exactly the camera I was longing for, but on the other hand, I love the fact of having local warranty, and the possibility of actually holding the camera prior to buying it is nice. I know this model is old, and I'm a bit worried of having to deal with the rangefinder sooner than later (i've read about some problems with an organic glue in the optics?).

As a point of comparison, I love my rollei 35, so the vintage, clockwork feeling suits me. I'm used at having a small lightmeter with me, so the no metering issue should not be that problematic. On the other hand, i don't have money burning a hole in my pocket, so this may well be my last photographic purchase in a while, so i better get it right 😱

Thanks for your kind help.
 
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$1350 dollars is not a bargain for an M3 (even with a late ser.nr.) if you are not in a hurry you can find yourself an M6 for the same amount(or cheaper)here in the classifieds or on evilbay...
Can't tell you anything about the 'telemeter'...
Good luck with your decision...
 
Thanks for replying.

Sorry, telemeter meant rangefinder. Spanish playing tricks on me (we call it "telémetro").

I know the price is not precisely bargain, but then again, I get 6 months warranty in my own country and i get to actually hold the camera prior to buying...I wouldn't have that opportunity buying from abroad.

How much do you think would be a fair price for this kind of camera?
 
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a fair price for m3 in primo condition with a cla would be $1000 in north america marketplace, imo. but since you are more "isolated" perhaps your price is understandable/reasonable. it is certainly a safe decision. with a bit of risk though, the returns could be greater. buying from a long(er) term member at rff would be pretty safe, i would think. you could also look at used cameras sold by established repair people like dag and sherry krauter. there are safer places to buy cameras than ebay that could give you a better deal than your local offer. about the m3: you do know that it has no framelines wider than 50mm. is that okay for the len(es) you plan to use?
 
That is indeed rather expensive. You might try ordering the camera of your choice from a retailer like KEH here in the US. You'll pay for shipping, but their ratings system is quite reliable, and you can be pretty sure of getting a camera in excellent working order.

If it was a bargain, an M3 would be a great choice--it's a real pleasure, using a manual camera! But if you're going to cough up that kind of dough, you ought to hold out for what you really want.
 
There's an M3 in the classifieds here, being sold by BrettS, for $1100. Just been serviced too.

No association, just noticed it was for sale.

Ernst
 
Thanks all for your kind opinions. I think I'm going to hold on for a while and think about this better. You guys wouldn't believe how much we have to pay in taxes here when buying stuff from abroad. A $1000 camera could well pay almost the same it was worth in taxes (yes, you read it right, a $1000 camera could well pay $1000 in TAXES, OUCh!).

Thanks for your kind help.
 
That is really really expensive.

I picked up my beater m3 on ebay for $375. While that, in my opinion, was a steal ... I dont think you need to go close to 1k for a M3 unless you really want it to look pristine.
 
When you buy a 50 year old camera, you need to consider the cost of service at some point in the not too distant future. I don't know what that would cost you, but keep it in mind in your decision.
 
What I usually do is wait until friends go to the US to visit relatives, acquaintances, whatever, and then order online and have the goods sent to their houses. That way my friends bring the stuff with them home, saving on imports taxes. But it's a pain!!!

That's why i'm so interested in this possibility of buying locally. I avoid lots of hassles, not to mention not having to send the goods back to the US if any problem comes up...
 
My advice: Hold out for the camera you really want, which seems to be the M6.

As others have said, the M3 will need expert attention sooner or later, probably sooner. I know from personal experience that your concerns about aging M3 rangefinders are legitimate. I also know from personal experience that you can buy a newly CLA'ed user-quality M3 for $700-$800 in the U.S. Even with shipping costs and that tax you aren't looking at much more than $1350.

Are there other dealers in Uruguay? Would you pay that import tax if you bought online from a merchant in Brazil or Argentina?
 
Nikolas - that's a lot of money for an M3. But of course I have no idea what the camera situation is in Uruguay.
When I was searching for a Leica (still don't have one because I always end up buying some other M mount RF 🙂 ) I realized that while M3 is a legend and all deep down inside I really needed an M2, or better M4, or even better M6 for metering, because M3 only has 50+mm frames. That's not good enough for me. I don't use tele so that would mean M3 would restrict me to 50mm lens exclusively. Might be something to consider.
 
I'd first decide if you want an M3, as it is quite different from the M6. If you like 50mm then get an M3, you won't regret it. If not, then get the M6. As for the price, if the camera is in good shape (in particular the rangefinder patch is contrasty), then saving a few hundred $$'s is no big deal.
 
I have both an M3 and an M6.

I do not know your import duties situation -- the real one, not the official one. So I think only you can decide what surcharge over US prices is worth paying to touch and feel the unit before you buy it.

As others have said, we also don't know what you shoot -- what lenses.

My M3 viewfinder is in good shape -- I much prefer it to the M6 for its magnification, its lack of clutter, and its thicker framing lines -- somehow they really stand out and really provide a more pictorial sense of what I will get.

The M6, on the other hand, has a meter. Much of my shooting is indoors with variable lighting and I found myself underexposing with an M3 after a general reading. The M6 helps with that.

So -- how badly do you want a meter? will you want wide-angle lenses?
(tho some shoot an M3 with a 40mm or a 35mm lens and use the whole VF to frame) What is local availability worth to you? these seem to be the questions.

Buena suerte.

Giorgio
 
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