Black M3 Holy S***!

[ywenz]

Use it, enough of this snobby collectors crap!

I have a black paint MP-3 kit with matching Leicavit and 50 ASPH. I am going to continue use it.

Be different, keep it and use it!

Other than the incredible price some people would pay for a "rare" bp M3, I'm not impressed by it in the least. I do recognize it's worth to some people and if I had gotten hold of something like this, I would leverage that to its max and use the money to purchase more gears that I can shoot with.

 

[rover]

Other than the incredible price some people would pay for a "rare" bp M3, I'm not impressed by it in the least. I do recognize it's worth to some people and if I had gotten hold of something like this, I would leverage that to its max and use the money to purchase more gears that I can shoot with.

I actually agree with the Y Guy on this one. Though I would really like that BP M3, that is a lot of equity that could be used in other ways, even if it isn't on other gear.

 

[Harry Lime]

OK, lots of people have been saying "Sell it and buy other kit". Now, that makes totally sane and rational economic sense.
But......if it was me (and it isn't, and I'm jealous as hell!) I'd be keeping it and using it.

I don't know. This isn't just another vintage M that deserves to be used and not sit in a glass case. This is a very rare camera, with an even rarer lens that's worth perhaps an easy $20,000 thousand dollars. Not exactly something you lug around for the heck of it.

 

[raid]

Get insurance for about $40,000 coverage.
I would be scared to use this camera and then get it stolen or damaged.
It costs as much as a new car.
Would you hang a new car around your neck?
I doubt it.

 

[FrankS]

It'd be way too heavy, Raid! 🙂

Lots of folks DRIVE new cars, though.

 

[Slipkid]

Another vote to sell...when ready

Another vote to sell...when ready

I actually agree with the Y Guy on this one. Though I would really like that BP M3, that is a lot of equity that could be used in other ways, even if it isn't on other gear.

Congrats on the great find and quick purchase!!! I am envious like the rest here.

Best advice so far is to hold on to it, use it...and then sell. Raid had good advice, too...insure it if you decide to keep it and use it. Too many M's get stolen, just like laptops from cars and hotel rooms.

The more I think about it, the more I think you should sell and get a nice kit for yourself to USE...I have 5 M's, only two are in better than user condition, but I use all of them.🙂

Again, a real beauty!

 

[erikhaugsby]

Lots of folks DRIVE new cars, though.

But new cars depreciate in value very quickly (some Cadillacs are worth only 46% of their sticker value after 5 years).
And there always is (or should be) sufficient insurance on a car to cover damages.

 

[bob338]

wow. i don't think i realized yesterday what a big deal this really is.

there seem to be lots of opinions about what to do with the camera, i still don't have a solid one.

on one hand, i want to keep it, imagine the bragging rights that come along with owning such a rare camera. on the other hand, i could sell it for a tremendous amount of money(who really knows how much?) and buy an M8, an MP and a Noctilux for each of them!

i went out yesterday afternoon and shot a bunch of pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge and i definitely felt a little more cocky than usual. of course noone had any idea what i was carrying, but i knew! at the same time, i was thinking to myself how stupid it is to be walking around with that much money hanging off the end of a $15 wrist strap.

one other consideration is that the camera needs to be CLA'd if i am going to use it regularly. the shutter is erratic and needs to be serviced. if i keep it, where do i get it cleaned? if i ship it to DAG or Leica, i have to insure this thing for a lot of friggin' money and i'm sure a $300 CLA will turn into a much more expensive ordeal. if i sell it, would it go for more money cleaned up and ready to shoot, or should it be left alone and sold as found?

i took two rolls yesterday and will post a couple of examples when i get the film back tomorrow.

 

[marcel]

Take a picture from your black M3 and frame it and sell the set for maybe 10.000 usd or more.Your happiest day was yesterday now you must find out where you get the most profit.

 

[splitimageview]

Keep it...it will only get more valuable. 🙂

Insurance is relatively cheap if you ship it out for a CLA.

 

[ocean7]

wow. i don't think i realized yesterday what a big deal this really is.

there seem to be lots of opinions about what to do with the camera, i still don't have a solid one.

I know what I would do if I were you... but hey I am not. If you are happy as an angel carrying this $15k vintage with you then cool! But if your goal is to take pictures I'd get a more recent set of tools with the money I'd make selling the vintage. Unless your are a total romantic guy and believe the stories behind your ultra-rare M3 will help you make better photographs 🙂

Not sure about Leicas but if this was a vintage guitar I wouldn't let anybody touch it and I wouldn't have it repaired or adjusted unless a serious problem would lower it's value. And then I'd look for the highest rated guitar tech in the country...

 

[furcafe]

Congrats on the find. I have a possibly even rarer black Zeiss Ikon Contarex "Bullseye" SLR in black paint. Unfortunately, the world of Contarex collectors is small & Zeiss Ikon either didn't keep precise records of their black paint production or those records were lost long ago.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Congratulations Bob on the find. I would hold onto it.

 

[MISH]

My hope is that you somehow get to hang onto it for a while .... you are living the dream of many a vintage collector/user that visits this forum and living the dream thru you may be as close as we ever get.

 

[harry01562]

You've gotten some interesting advice, with the votes split between keeping and selling.

I'm considerably older than you, but not as lucky. I would strongly suggest that you take the pic of the whole find, tastefully framed, and keep that on your wall. Then consider putting the camera and, at least the 50, into a GOOD auction. This is not a user, it's a collector piece. From what I've seen, this is in better shape than many of the black bodies, and the box adds a good deal of value. You have the potential for a very large bit of money out of this. As a young father, you can net a paid for dream outfit, and a big addition to your bank account. Use your head, and keep your heart happy looking at the picture.

If you do decide to keep it, be careful. It's a lot to lose....

Harry

 

[cpborello]

Congrats on the find. I would listen to the old guy. Unless you are financially well off and don't need the cash, that is sound advice.

 

[BillBingham2]

Don't do a CLA till you see if it's ever been opened! I think there is a seal on the front that will tell you if it's ever been opened for CLA. If it has not been opened it might be worth more.

B2 (;->

 

[ywenz]

wait, just curious.. how do you know that this camera is original black paint? Does the SN say it is so?

 

[Keith]

At post #84 this (in less than 24hrs) proves what a camera lust driven bunch of gearheads we really are ... go out and take photos with it. 😛

I know it's worth a lot of money but so is an M8 with a couple of lenses! 😀

 

[ywenz]

How would you feel if the seller was your father or mother, and had told you about the sale and the price, and before they had told you about it, you didn't know that they had such gear? How would you then feel about the buyer? If you'd be OK with all this, then congratulations on your deal. What would Jesus do?

Jesus who?