Does this M3 deserve purchasing?

[Edelweiss]

Hi all,

I saw a M3 with SN903xxx on sale, it's actually a single-stroke model.

But, I was told that M3 changed to single-stroke just from SN919251, so this model(903xxx) should be a double-stroke one...
I'm now confused and is there anyone knows why? Does it deserve purchasing?😕😕

 

[srtiwari]

I believe some older M3s were coverted from DS to SS. I have one like that and it is great !
Subhash

 

[edodo]

Do your homework by looking carefully all the M type camera on "cameraquest" for exemple. Then choose what you think will suit you.

 

[Edelweiss]

Do your homework by looking carefully all the M type camera on "cameraquest" for exemple. Then choose what you think will suit you.

Thank you, I just looked through "Leica M's Sorted by Model and Serial Number 1954 to 1999" on Cameraquest and it's really helpful!

I noticed the "ELC" was marked on some batches, can you tell me what it stands for?
🙂

 

[danmitch]

Ernst Leitz Canada - made in Canada

Best - Dan

 

[Edelweiss]

Ernst Leitz Canada - made in Canada

Best - Dan

Oh...so it was not made in Germany, somewhat pity...😡

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Canadian M3s are uncommon. Only Leica snobs look down on them. In fact, Canada-made gear is perfectly reliable and as well-made as the German stuff.

As for the M3... the change from DS to SS was a common practice. Not long ago, Don Goldberg offered to do the same thing on my own M3, but I like it as DS, so he fixed the film transport mechanism without transforming its steps.

The camera may deserve purchasing if it's in good mechanical condition. Just check the shutterspeeds: some early Leicas have funky, proprietary shutterspeeds after 1/50 (like 1/100, 1/200, 1/500 and 1/1000). If you can live with them, and the camera is in good or acceptable condition (i.e., does NOT need a CLA), go for it.

 

[xayraa33]

Oh...so it was not made in Germany, somewhat pity...😡

Nothing wrong with a Leica assembled in Midland Ontario Canada.
Look at the rarity factor eh.

 

[elshaneo]

If it was made in Canada, it means that it's much rare than the ones made in Germany, meaning that it should cost more although they are just the same camera 🙂

 

[Trius]

Oh...so it was not made in Germany, somewhat pity...😡

Not to be belligerent, but why? Are you looking to collect, shoot, fondle ... what?

As has been stated, there's a rarity to ElCan M3s, and some of the lenses are highly sought after.