richard_l
Well-known
You are very observant.payasam said:
Richard
Cautionary Tale about my Leica M3
- Thread starter SolaresLarrave
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Richard
ernstk said:
Thank you for the reason.
We are morning the loss of a trusted M3 here, save the sniping for other forums.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
ErikFive said:
I did the same with the M4 I got and never regretted it.
Bob
N
Nog Bluteau
Guest
Why is it "sniping"?
If you treat the camera as a tool, when one sample is not cost-effective to repair, you find another similar one that is.
However, if the camera is no longer regarded as tool, but as an object of sentimental value, then there is no limit to what you should spend, it's now in the realm of imagination......your mind sets the value of it according to what it's function is in your psyche.
You are now talking apples and oranges. It's all how you regard the camera.
There are collectors, fetish-object worshippers, and tool-users. All see the equipment differently.
If you treat the camera as a tool, when one sample is not cost-effective to repair, you find another similar one that is.
However, if the camera is no longer regarded as tool, but as an object of sentimental value, then there is no limit to what you should spend, it's now in the realm of imagination......your mind sets the value of it according to what it's function is in your psyche.
You are now talking apples and oranges. It's all how you regard the camera.
There are collectors, fetish-object worshippers, and tool-users. All see the equipment differently.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
You shouldn't assume that your M3 will be falling apart from age. After Sherry repairs the problem areas, the camera will have a new lease on life and be reliable for many years. My M3 is the silkiest-smooth Leica I have, now that Sherry CLA'd it several years ago. An M3 (or any Leica) should be kept up, and it should remain in use--like a Steinway piano, or a Stradivarius violin. The M3 is the photographer's violin! (Applies to M2, M4, et. al. as well.)
And all are here and have equal right to their little "issue," which ever it may be. As long as we all accept that, enjoy our own ways and not debate others theirs, we will all get along fine.
Windwalker57
Established
If your M3 is a "pretty" camera, you could sell it on the bay and get back most of your money, maybe even make a profit. Contact well known resellers and locate a really nice M3 or M4 that has been recently CLA'd. Your money would be well spent and you would have peace of mind knowing that there were no hidden problems.
If you buy and sell repeatedly, you are doomed to never be satisfied with any camera that you purchase. I know, this is the way I worked my way into higher end SLR's (!!!). Now, I am rarely satisfied with the quality or condition of anything if it is not new.
Personally, I am saving for an M6 classic, and I plan on getting the MP finder upgrade. I have also budgeted for $250 in a CLA so that it will be "like new" on the inside.
What you feel right now for your M3 is akin to grief, you have discovered that your prize possession is mortal. IMHO, you should follow the advice of drewbarb and contact DAG about resilvering the mirror and getting a complete CLA. It will be worth the effort and cost, nothing is more satisfying than getting back a old friend rejuvinated and ready for another half century of real use. Don't make this M3 a shelf queen that you are ashamed of using.
If you buy and sell repeatedly, you are doomed to never be satisfied with any camera that you purchase. I know, this is the way I worked my way into higher end SLR's (!!!). Now, I am rarely satisfied with the quality or condition of anything if it is not new.
Personally, I am saving for an M6 classic, and I plan on getting the MP finder upgrade. I have also budgeted for $250 in a CLA so that it will be "like new" on the inside.
What you feel right now for your M3 is akin to grief, you have discovered that your prize possession is mortal. IMHO, you should follow the advice of drewbarb and contact DAG about resilvering the mirror and getting a complete CLA. It will be worth the effort and cost, nothing is more satisfying than getting back a old friend rejuvinated and ready for another half century of real use. Don't make this M3 a shelf queen that you are ashamed of using.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Dear Folks,
Let's clarify something: I'm not a collector. I don't buy and sell. I purchase cameras because I intend to use them; my M3 was one of those. It's a DS with modern shutterspeeds, so it's marginally in the batch of "durable" cameras... and will get a new lease on life.
Since I invested money and time in this camera, I won't sell it. I'm attached to it. Besides, I wouldn't be able to sell anything that's defective, however hidden the defects be. I may send it to repair, I may keep it and tinker with it... who knows? In any event, I posted my experience here so that future M3 buyers do what I didn't do (but Eric did): send the camera for a CLA right away. Hence the cautionary nature of this thread. It's not wasted money, it buys peace of mind! 🙂
As for yours-truly, I'm going to load my M3 with some 24-exp. Ilford FP4 and have some fun! 😀
Let's clarify something: I'm not a collector. I don't buy and sell. I purchase cameras because I intend to use them; my M3 was one of those. It's a DS with modern shutterspeeds, so it's marginally in the batch of "durable" cameras... and will get a new lease on life.
Since I invested money and time in this camera, I won't sell it. I'm attached to it. Besides, I wouldn't be able to sell anything that's defective, however hidden the defects be. I may send it to repair, I may keep it and tinker with it... who knows? In any event, I posted my experience here so that future M3 buyers do what I didn't do (but Eric did): send the camera for a CLA right away. Hence the cautionary nature of this thread. It's not wasted money, it buys peace of mind! 🙂
As for yours-truly, I'm going to load my M3 with some 24-exp. Ilford FP4 and have some fun! 😀
MCTuomey
Veteran
well-said, francisco
good shooting!
good shooting!
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
That's the spirit! Use it till it doesn't work right, then fix it.SolaresLarrave said:
I care a whole lot more about how my cameras function than how they look. For a whole host of reasons, I'd far rather have a cosmetic beater that works well than a pristine camera with dodgy mechanicals.
