Cleaning the M3 (sexy post)

[Rodluvan]

Hello fellow...(what do we call ourselfs) photographers!

I've just turned to Leica, bought a M3 (>#1 XXX XXX) in internally minty condition.
However the silver-chrome body is superficially eroded (redish). and it's very dirty (I can't imagine how it can have this much dirt on it and still look brand new on the inside).

So Now my question:

I bet some of you have experiences with the silver-chrome chassis and know what (if any) can be done to improve it (if it's worn of , I guess it's too late). Also, how do you clean your Leica? Specifically when dirt gets into all the small corners (like behind the rewinder).

I don't really mind much that it looks the way it looks, but I'd like it to be clean anyway. Can professional service-stations do a better job in any way you think. Like tearing it appart and cleaning every bit on its own?

Thank you people (and I'll almost promise not to start any trolling hate threads about 1.0-lenses and the like).

/Daniel

 

[HuubL]

The M3 is a 50-year old camera that by now would certainly need a CLA. If you send it in for a CLA, it would be taken apart and all outer surfaces would be given a good detergent treatment. If it's just dirt, you will probably get a "as new" M3 back. If the body is really eroded, you might consider a paint job. It'll cost you more, but black M3s are considered very sexy!

 

[Rodluvan]

The M3 is a 50-year old camera that by now would certainly need a CLA. If you send it in for a CLA, it would be taken apart and all outer surfaces would be given a good detergent treatment. If it's just dirt, you will probably get a "as new" M3 back. If the body is really eroded, you might consider a paint job. It'll cost you more, but black M3s are considered very sexy!

Hello and thank you!

I'll take a CLA (cleaning and Lubrication?) under consideration. Right now I can't even afford a lens (I have 0 lenses to my camera, and am looking for an adapter to maybe place some Jupiters on her).
In Sweden everything cameraish costs an arm and a leg, especially if you're dealing with exotics like a Leica, but your point is notet.

 

[payasam]

If you're right in saying that the M3 is "internally minty", then it may not need a CLA just yet. External dirt, however, suggests that the camera has not been looked after too well. Cloth dampened with alcohol is excellent for large surfaces. For crevices, there's cotton-tipped sticks. Another trick is to bite on the end of a match-stick until it's damp and soft.

 

[Justin Low]

I find that Windex does a great job of cleaning exterior surfaces. I use a damp cloth or high-quality tissue to wipe down the surface.

If there is dirt lodged in the engravings or knurling, a toothbrush sprayed with a bit of Windex works well, but one must take precautions against liquids getting into the camera innards. Masking off the part you're brushing works well, if removal is not an option.

Of course, if you have proper tools to remove the parts, one of the best ways is to bathe the parts in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Note that most glass cleaners work well in place of Windex. A mild detergent is fine too.

 

[Rodluvan]

The M3 is a 50-year old camera that by now would certainly need a CLA.

I just asked, a CLA would set me back the equivalent of $406 (and I'm not sure that even included cleaning of the exterior parts).

 

[Rogrund]

Youxin Ye does a CLA much cheaper than that. I paid $80 plus back shipping. I had no problems with the Swedish customs, either. There is also Will van Manen in Holland, more expensive but inside the EU (so you don't have to worry for the customs at all). Good luck!

 

[HuubL]

I just asked, a CLA would set me back the equivalent of $406 (and I'm not sure that even included cleaning of the exterior parts).

Have you checked with Will van Manen in the Netherlands? He does an excellent job and usually his price for a CLA is less than 200 euros (at least he never charged me more and I've had him CLA'd three of my Ms). Also, shipping and dealing with customs would probably be easier within Europe.

 

[HuubL]

Youxin Ye does a CLA much cheaper than that. I paid $80 plus back shipping. I had no problems with the Swedish customs, either. There is also Will van Manen in Holland, more expensive but inside the EU (so you don't have to worry for the customs at all). Good luck!

Beware. There have been some recent horror stories considering cheap CLA's on RFF.... You should be able to find a thread here...

 

[Rogrund]

Beware. There have been some recent horror stories considering cheap CLA's on RFF.... You should be able to find a thread here...

Yes, I know. But I think it was just one unhappy customer. Youxin Ye is mostly praised, here and elsewhere.

However, Will van Manen is really great.

 

[HuubL]

Yes, I know. But I think it was just one unhappy customer. Youxin Ye is mostly praised, here and elsewhere.

However, Will van Manen is really great.

If you read that thread, he has at least one other unhappy customer, a very well respected RFF member!

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I second Wil van Manen.
He has done at least 10 jobs for me and all have been perfect.
He also makes your M finder flare resistant for a mere EUR80,-. When included in a CLA only EUR20,- extra.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[HuubL]

I second Wil van Manen.
He has done at least 10 jobs for me and all have been perfect.
He also makes your M finder flare resistant for a mere EUR80,-. When included in a CLA only EUR20,- extra.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

Michiel, an M3 doesn't need the flare treatment 😉

 

[Rodluvan]

Beware. There have been some recent horror stories considering cheap CLA's on RFF.... You should be able to find a thread here...

I don't see any thread 🙁

 

[HuubL]

I don't see any thread 🙁

......... This one

 

[Rodluvan]

Yes, I know. But I think it was just one unhappy customer. Youxin Ye is mostly praised, here and elsewhere.

However, Will van Manen is really great.

I don't see any price-quotes on his page (WvM). Would you give me an estimate of how much you paid for a CLA?

Thank you for the tip also!

 

[HuubL]

I don't see any price-quotes on his page (WvM). Would you give me an estimate of how much you paid for a CLA?

Thank you for the tip also!

It will probably depend on the amount of work and parts, but I never paid more than 200 euro's (and that includes 19% VAT) for my M2, M3 and M4.

 

[Rogrund]

Here is another thread.

I think van Manen charges around 200 euros for a M body CLA (as mentioned above).

 

[Chris101]

Hi Daniel, Your "sexy post" got me in, but then it was just all 'bla, bla, bla' about cameras and lenses.

 

[Rodluvan]

Hi Daniel, Your "sexy post" got me in, but then it was just all 'bla, bla, bla' about cameras and lenses.

Sorry to have fooled you (it was partially my intention though). However, the first time I heard about the Leica M3 it as describes as "probably the sexiest Leica of them all". He must have been talking metaphorically 🙄