FED-3a body with FED-3b top deck?

[okto]

Would this be possible? It looks externally like the only difference would be the addition of the lever winder mechanism.
I really want strap lugs, because I carry my camera everywhere and the last thing in the world I want is a hideous brown "leather" neveready case on my fLeica.

 

[wolves3012]

It's probably not impossible, but you'd need a considerable amount of engineering skill to do it! The option of fitting strap lugs to a 3b would be easier by far. Adding the wind lever to a 3a would be quite a task: there's not just the lever but there's the gear train that goes with it and the shutter release, which sits much higher on a 3b.

If you really want to do this I think the body could be changed without too much trouble - fit a 3a body, with its strap lugs, to a 3b crate and top. Shame to leave a 3a body-less though.

 

[Spyderman]

IMO change from 3b to 3a is possible and would be easier. From 3a to 3b you'd have to remove the lever gear train and move it to the other body, which would be quite a task... and also the shutter release button "tube" (on 3b the button sits much higher).

 

[Kim Coxon]

It might be easier to drill the body and fit the strap lugs from a junker.

Kim

 

[fidget]

The 3a is a lovely camera.
Can you not use the bottom half of your case? Cut the top off and remount using popper studs. Your "fLeica" will then have a sort of "fLuigi" grip......TA-DA!

 

[rbiemer]

Or you could try this guy:
http://ufies.org/~djb/
Not sure where I found this page and I've not used his service and I'm not sure how long I've had this bookmarked, but might be worth an email at least?
In another thread here at RFF someone suggested finding a junker camera with a decent back and mounting the lugs on that rather than drilling the main body. Might be a lot of strain on the locking points for the back, though.
Rob