OliverHardinge
Newbie
Hello everyone! Im currently new to this forum, however I have used platforms like this in the past for other hobbies/passions, so nothing foreign here! I have been looking at posts from members for years, however never took the effort to post something myself. I have to say that this post is inspired by a fellow user Bill Blackwell, because of his FrankenLeica conjures over the years. I took it upon myself to have something fully custom made for myself, creating a fresh start for a old Leica M camera, so that in the years to come I can give it its battle scars, and be able to tell stories using it.
Before I dive into this post I want to give a huge thank you to the one and only DAG (Don Goldberg), without him none of this would have been possible. Don has been an incredible source of knowledge, expertise and passion. We have been chatting back and forth for a long time now, and I have had the privilege of having all of my Leica gear over the past years fixed/serviced by him. So Don if you are reading this, thank you I appreciate all of your hard work more than you know.
So what is this FrankenLeica M2R all about? The camera started off as a lovely stock Leica M3 model, it was in user condition with bumps, scratches and its fair share of use. I had used this camera for over a year before deciding to change a couple things up. One thing to know is that when I first received the camera I was told that the standard 0.95x Leica M3 finder had broken at some point in its life, whether that be complete separation or blackout I can't tell. However, it did come with some benefit that I didn't have that finder, instead the camera had a rare/limited edition Leica M6J 0.85x finder, this has 35/135 50 and 90 framelines and is very clear, contrasty and uncluttered. The genesis of this finder magnification is that when the M6 came out, users wanted other magnification options for telephoto, standard or wide angel lenses. The M6J was Leica's way of creating a modern Leica M with the stylings and finishings of a M3. They couldn't make or use a 0.95x finder in it, so they created the 0.85x finder which is the next best thing, and I have heard rumour that the finder was built with old stock parts from the M3 original finder. Go figure! So this is how my Leica M3 came when I purchased it.
So what did I have done with it since then? I sent it off to DAG for the first time to have the camera looked over, CLA'd and modified 😎. firstly I had Don fully overhaul the camera. While opening it up he noticed that the rewind system was not as smooth as it should be, he replaced the rewind gears, lubed, adjusted and replaced any parts that needed to be. I then had the MP flare free optics installed in it, I know some people will say that finders with higher magnification don't flare, however I found myself many times where the rangefinder patch was flaring. A funny analogy that I have been told by Don is its like having a car without window wipers, all cars need them to function as intended, so I had the wipers installed. Next I had the M4 quick load system installed, this is no small task, also the parts are hard to acquire so I consider myself lucky to have had this done. Don installed the quick load system and it identical to the M4 and M cameras up from there. This way it got rid of the older removable film spool that I didn't like, and found time consuming. Don installed the M4 frame counter system, so that when you open the baseplate it resets the frame counter. Lastly, the baseplate had to be modified to accept a baseplate rose, this is the part that keeps pressure on the film while it is wrapping around the take-up spool. That was the end of that service, the only thing I was missing was the M4 innerplate that shows the loading diagram, so I had Don find me one later on and sent it to me. Installing it was very simple, taking off the standard M3 style plate and paying attention to the shims to not drop into the shutter mechanism, then installing the M4 inner plate.
So at that point I decided that the camera was no longer an original M3, so changing it further didn't bother me. Next I decided that I loved the look of black paint cameras and I wanted to have one for myself, because over time with use the paint wears away and shows the beautiful brass. I lucky found a brand new replacement black paint M1 top plate, yes it is original and it is from a M1, it has the rangefinder cover and is with DAG being modified to use the M6J finder in it. I have had Jim Lager and Lars Netopil both look at the original authenticity of this top plate, both had mentioned that is a very unique and rare piece because the M1 and M2 top plates are identical besides the rangefinder window. The finish is the same, and the later style flash sync engravings are of a later 1980-1990's period, this was because Leica had made some spare/replacement top plates for cameras like the M3/M2/M1/M4/MP in the finishes silver chrome/black paint/olive paint. However, both of them have never seen one with the M1 rangefinder cover in it, which means it was installed by Leica as intended to be used on a M1. To note I do have the multicoated windows on the rangefinder window and the rangefinder patch window. Next I was able to find a M4 BP baseplate in like new condition. Some of you may be wondering what I am doing with the original M3 top plate, and modified bottom plate, they have since been sold to help cover the costs of the conversion. The M1 top plate is no small task to install on the M3 chassis, as the winding head is different and the frame counter system is different, no longer is it internal but external like the M2. The M3 chassis that I have has the frameline selector lever, rewind lever, self timer, and guard around the lens release.
From this point I looked at inspiration to tie the whole build together and to make it look like the Leica M3D. The M3D was made for Douglas David Duncan for his work during the Vietnam war, it was made as a predecessor to the MP Original camera. Only 4 original M3D camera's were made, the re-edition of them that was released continuing with serial number 5-16, I have heard that these were build with old stock MP original parts and modern parts. So this is where I got the inspiration from, as it is a mix of black paint parts and silver chrome.
Finally, I have a Leica MP classic film door that was very hard to find separate from the camera. Only 500 of them were made, it is the predecessor to the Leica M-A, a lovely all metal film iso dial, however it does not move which doesn't bother me at all. I usually shoot 400 speed film in my Leica's anyways. A fun little piece I added to wrap it up was a custom inspired knurled film advance retaining ring, inspired from the Leica MP2, its basically a MP original with a M2 top plate and a motor drive, look it up! To top it off, I have an original black paint Leica M3 cold shoe which was exceedingly hard to find, there is a small amount of brassing on it as you could assume with a camera that is over 70 years old. I sourced a brand new Leica M4 black paint film advance as I have recently been enjoying these over the M3/MP style. It still has it silver chrome M3 style rewind lever, frameline preview, self timer lever. For the film rewind I have a SOOM black paint Leica M film rewind, these are really well made and have a plug so it doesn't dent the original Leica part. I have also found silver chrome M4 levers, such as the film rewind lever, framline preview, and self timer. Overall I think this will be a beautiful build once done.
I will have pictures of the camera very soon, and if you made it this far I commend you. I tend to blabber on about the technical details, so I hope you all enjoyed it!
Best,
Oliver 😀
Before I dive into this post I want to give a huge thank you to the one and only DAG (Don Goldberg), without him none of this would have been possible. Don has been an incredible source of knowledge, expertise and passion. We have been chatting back and forth for a long time now, and I have had the privilege of having all of my Leica gear over the past years fixed/serviced by him. So Don if you are reading this, thank you I appreciate all of your hard work more than you know.
So what is this FrankenLeica M2R all about? The camera started off as a lovely stock Leica M3 model, it was in user condition with bumps, scratches and its fair share of use. I had used this camera for over a year before deciding to change a couple things up. One thing to know is that when I first received the camera I was told that the standard 0.95x Leica M3 finder had broken at some point in its life, whether that be complete separation or blackout I can't tell. However, it did come with some benefit that I didn't have that finder, instead the camera had a rare/limited edition Leica M6J 0.85x finder, this has 35/135 50 and 90 framelines and is very clear, contrasty and uncluttered. The genesis of this finder magnification is that when the M6 came out, users wanted other magnification options for telephoto, standard or wide angel lenses. The M6J was Leica's way of creating a modern Leica M with the stylings and finishings of a M3. They couldn't make or use a 0.95x finder in it, so they created the 0.85x finder which is the next best thing, and I have heard rumour that the finder was built with old stock parts from the M3 original finder. Go figure! So this is how my Leica M3 came when I purchased it.
So what did I have done with it since then? I sent it off to DAG for the first time to have the camera looked over, CLA'd and modified 😎. firstly I had Don fully overhaul the camera. While opening it up he noticed that the rewind system was not as smooth as it should be, he replaced the rewind gears, lubed, adjusted and replaced any parts that needed to be. I then had the MP flare free optics installed in it, I know some people will say that finders with higher magnification don't flare, however I found myself many times where the rangefinder patch was flaring. A funny analogy that I have been told by Don is its like having a car without window wipers, all cars need them to function as intended, so I had the wipers installed. Next I had the M4 quick load system installed, this is no small task, also the parts are hard to acquire so I consider myself lucky to have had this done. Don installed the quick load system and it identical to the M4 and M cameras up from there. This way it got rid of the older removable film spool that I didn't like, and found time consuming. Don installed the M4 frame counter system, so that when you open the baseplate it resets the frame counter. Lastly, the baseplate had to be modified to accept a baseplate rose, this is the part that keeps pressure on the film while it is wrapping around the take-up spool. That was the end of that service, the only thing I was missing was the M4 innerplate that shows the loading diagram, so I had Don find me one later on and sent it to me. Installing it was very simple, taking off the standard M3 style plate and paying attention to the shims to not drop into the shutter mechanism, then installing the M4 inner plate.
So at that point I decided that the camera was no longer an original M3, so changing it further didn't bother me. Next I decided that I loved the look of black paint cameras and I wanted to have one for myself, because over time with use the paint wears away and shows the beautiful brass. I lucky found a brand new replacement black paint M1 top plate, yes it is original and it is from a M1, it has the rangefinder cover and is with DAG being modified to use the M6J finder in it. I have had Jim Lager and Lars Netopil both look at the original authenticity of this top plate, both had mentioned that is a very unique and rare piece because the M1 and M2 top plates are identical besides the rangefinder window. The finish is the same, and the later style flash sync engravings are of a later 1980-1990's period, this was because Leica had made some spare/replacement top plates for cameras like the M3/M2/M1/M4/MP in the finishes silver chrome/black paint/olive paint. However, both of them have never seen one with the M1 rangefinder cover in it, which means it was installed by Leica as intended to be used on a M1. To note I do have the multicoated windows on the rangefinder window and the rangefinder patch window. Next I was able to find a M4 BP baseplate in like new condition. Some of you may be wondering what I am doing with the original M3 top plate, and modified bottom plate, they have since been sold to help cover the costs of the conversion. The M1 top plate is no small task to install on the M3 chassis, as the winding head is different and the frame counter system is different, no longer is it internal but external like the M2. The M3 chassis that I have has the frameline selector lever, rewind lever, self timer, and guard around the lens release.
From this point I looked at inspiration to tie the whole build together and to make it look like the Leica M3D. The M3D was made for Douglas David Duncan for his work during the Vietnam war, it was made as a predecessor to the MP Original camera. Only 4 original M3D camera's were made, the re-edition of them that was released continuing with serial number 5-16, I have heard that these were build with old stock MP original parts and modern parts. So this is where I got the inspiration from, as it is a mix of black paint parts and silver chrome.
Finally, I have a Leica MP classic film door that was very hard to find separate from the camera. Only 500 of them were made, it is the predecessor to the Leica M-A, a lovely all metal film iso dial, however it does not move which doesn't bother me at all. I usually shoot 400 speed film in my Leica's anyways. A fun little piece I added to wrap it up was a custom inspired knurled film advance retaining ring, inspired from the Leica MP2, its basically a MP original with a M2 top plate and a motor drive, look it up! To top it off, I have an original black paint Leica M3 cold shoe which was exceedingly hard to find, there is a small amount of brassing on it as you could assume with a camera that is over 70 years old. I sourced a brand new Leica M4 black paint film advance as I have recently been enjoying these over the M3/MP style. It still has it silver chrome M3 style rewind lever, frameline preview, self timer lever. For the film rewind I have a SOOM black paint Leica M film rewind, these are really well made and have a plug so it doesn't dent the original Leica part. I have also found silver chrome M4 levers, such as the film rewind lever, framline preview, and self timer. Overall I think this will be a beautiful build once done.
I will have pictures of the camera very soon, and if you made it this far I commend you. I tend to blabber on about the technical details, so I hope you all enjoyed it!
Best,
Oliver 😀
