Cautionary Tale about my Leica M3

[SolaresLarrave]

Some time ago, I purchased a 1957 Leica M3 DS. I thought it was remarkably well preserved, but I was terribly wrong. BTW, mine was a relatively low serial number (still with the standard shutterspeeds).

I sent it to Sherry Krauter for a CLA... and I wasn't ready for the surprise: mirror desilvering, and a problem with the film rewind gear. Basically she said in the phone that this happens when a camera reaches an old age. Just like us, it starts falling apart.

My camera came back today. I was thinking about selling it for parts and get done with it... but it looks so nice that I'll keep it until it dies on me, and then it'll become a pretty paperweight.

Now, even though I don't want to sound like a doom prophet, to those like Ken Ford and Melanie, who own Leica M3 bodies... be aware! Time is our worst enemy...

Let me add that I was so distraught that one of my senseless acts of bidding on fleaBay managed to land me a Nikon F5. Let's see how long that one lasts! 🙂

In the meanwhile, the collapsible 'cron Sherry CLA'ed is looking really good... as much as my M3, only I know that this one won't last more than, say, a year or maybe less. Who knows... In any case, I decided to share my story with you.

Take care... and enjoy your cameras! 🙂

 

[Ororaro]

You will be surprised at how long your M3 will end up lasting. A CLA and lots of use will give it some youth back.

Brand new things, if left unused, will break and stop working.
Old things, if used periodically, will just keep on going and going and going, demanding only regular care (such as a CLA every few years).

Just use that M3 and watch it go younger and younger in your hands, as time goes by.

 

[oftheherd]

Darn, Francisco. That sounds depressing. I hope it really does hold up for you. A local camera store worker has an M3 that he is quite happy with, having had it CLA'd. His must be newer.

That's really depressing. Time to bring out the "praiseworthy" Canonet for a little communing with the muses.

 

[Paul T.]

I can empathise with that. I bought an M3 on rff - and the VF was shot. THe vendor agreed to take the camera back, but gave me the wrong address - so returning the camera, plus paypal costs, cost me around $110. Still cheaper than a VF repair at CRR.
But the VF on my $450 M3 from Youxin looks amazing, best I've seen...
so don't worry, there WILL be an M3 for you out there, waiting to be used...

 

[drewbarb]

Sounds like a bummer of a conversation, Francisco. The flip side is that both of these things can be fixed. Contrary to popular belief, the mirror can be re-silvered. Both DAG and CRR can do it, and possibly others. The rewind gear can also be replaced, and that one is really no big deal. Sherry doesn't do the mirror resilvering, so when that goes she figures the camera is done. I bet she told you about the bad rewind gear to make you feel better about trashing the camera due to the mirror, but she shoud be able to replace that gear with little trouble.

Anyway, your camera can be repaired- albeit at some cost- and put back into service for the next 40 years or so. That's one of the wonderful things about these old mechanical cameras. Try that with a modern electronic and plastic camera. When something goes on one of these, it's just trash.

 

[ferider]

Sorry to hear this, Francisco.


Like others above, I can not over-emphasize the value of a CLA.
I have had 5 classic M bodies so far (3 x M2, 2 x M3),
two came CLA'ed recently, and two were advertised as working
without CLA - but had issues. Slow shutters, dirty viewfinder,
mis-alignment, etc.

I have given up on buying a classic Leica and assuming that it works.
On the other hand, when it has been CLA'ed it can be very smooth,
quiet, focus down to a quarter inch accuracy, etc. And once it was
CLA'ed for you, you know it will be trouble free for a long time.

There is a collector in all of us, IMO. And having
an old mechanical wonder brought back to life and use it feels great.
I would do the same (in fact I did) if I bought a > 40 year old car.
With a car you can do much yourself - but stuff is much more expensive.

Luton does offer mirror resilvering for GBP £ 145. Not too bad if you consider
this a similar price to getting an MP viewfinder upgrade in an M6 ...
A good M3 can hold its place with the best new Leicas out there, IMO.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Keith]

I would suggest having a look at the M4 on SG's site ... the one with the rather severe patina and the film sprocket holes etched into the film plate. 😛

That camera is an inspiration to us all and an indication of just what these complex mechanical devices are capable of ... so stop worrying! 😀

 

[rover]

I have thought of what I would do when mine was "too old." I think the answer would be to have it repaired, or replaced. I like the M3, sorry to hear your's is not well.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

After I heard the news I had a hard week thinking about a camera coming to its end...

Now, I didn't know that the resilvering can be done. My M3 has served me so well that I may consider investing in it, just so as to have an all-mechanical body to play with. Even without this repair I'm sure I'll have an M3 for a while yet.

But, nevertheless, keep in mind the benefits of sending your recently purchased camera for a CLA. 🙂

Thanks for your replies too! 😀

EDIT: According to Sherry, it wasn't only the desilvering and the rewind, but there was also an issue with the curtains. She made it sound like the end was near... but then, she was also remarkably quick at sending it back, after repairing what she said that could be done to extend the camera life. She also did a half-CLA on my collapsible Summicron 50. And she's a good conversationalist too!

 

[mfunnell]

EDIT: According to Sherry, it wasn't only the desilvering and the rewind, but there was also an issue with the curtains. She made it sound like the end was near... but then, she was also remarkably quick at sending it back, after repairing what she said that could be done to extend the camera life. She also did a half-CLA on my collapsible Summicron 50. And she's a good conversationalist too!

I'm sorry to hear about the condition of your M3. OTOH, its still working after Sherry's treatment, and that will give you time to keep an eye out, and maybe pick one up thats in better condition, so you're ready if what Sherry predicts should come to pass. That, unfortunately, sounds more economical than restoring the one you have.

And there are some good user cameras out there. Mine is of similar vintage to yours (DS, old-style shutter speeds) and is in great condition. I was able to pick it up cheaply, I'm guessing because it has someone's name engraved on the back of the top plate. So there are still some good user M3s out there.

And I do enjoy using mine:


(One from last Sunday with my long-in-the-tooth M3 and current-version Elmar 50/2.8)

...Mike

 

[Stu W]

I've never heard of a terminally ill Leica. Anything can be repaired. Dag even has new M3 rewind assy's listed on his web page for $45. I'd bite the bullet, have it repaired, and enjoy it for another 50 years. Stu

 

[aad]

It can be fixed. And if you hadn't noticed a problem with the mirror before it was brought to your attention, why worry?

Had my IIIf CLA'd by Youxin-new shutter curtains too, the thing is like new.

 

[Dfin]

I`d weigh up the cost of repair/overhaul against the cost of a new M. Any later s/h M3 is more than likely going to need a CLA. Once yours is repaired it will last another 50yrs, with no hidden extras!!

 

[Nog Bluteau]

Get rid of it on eBay and get another. Don't throw money into "project cameras".

It's not like M3's are extremely rare.

You might make a profit on the one you sell, keep buying and selling until you get a fairly pristine one, then put a little money into it.

Change your mindset.

I buy and sell a dozen cameras and lenses a month.

Immediately get rid of something you buy that's not good. This whole "boutique repair" stuff with a couple of highy touted prima donnas is not cost effective except for monied dentists.

 

[Ororaro]

Get rid of it on eBay and get another. Don't throw money into "project cameras".

It's not like M3's are extremely rare.

You might make a profit on the one you sell, keep buying and selling until you get a fairly pristine one, then put a little money into it.

Change your mindset.

I buy and sell a dozen cameras and lenses a month.

Immediately get rid of something you buy that's not good. This whole "boutique repair" stuff with a couple of highy touted prima donnas is not cost effective except for monied dentists.

Hm! So you are part of those people selling bad stuff on ebay and trying to pass it as "great"?

That's your take on this?

Shameful, really.

 

[Nog Bluteau]

Did I say I described everything I sell as "great"?

Or is that in your imagination?

 

[Ororaro]

Did I say I described everything I sell as "great"?

Or is that in your imagination?

No imagination. In the very little you said it's all too obvious, IMO.

 

[Nog Bluteau]

Had some bad experiences on eBay, did you? So now it's everyone's fault but your own.

 

[payasam]

There's suddenly a bad smell here.

 

[ernstk]

Get rid of it on eBay and get another. Don't throw money into "project cameras".

It's not like M3's are extremely rare.

You might make a profit on the one you sell, keep buying and selling until you get a fairly pristine one, then put a little money into it.

Change your mindset.

I buy and sell a dozen cameras and lenses a month.

Immediately get rid of something you buy that's not good. This whole "boutique repair" stuff with a couple of highy touted prima donnas is not cost effective except for monied dentists.

I'm not sure how helpful that advice is. Clearly, the camera can be repaired. Also, people become attached to their cameras.

Based on the feedback on this forum, all of the well known repairers do an excellent job at a fair price. Why do you have such an issue with this?

Ernst