skipjack
Established
Plus 1 on drewbarb's comments - to the letter. The M3's with serial numbers of 1 million and above carry a premium. Mine benefited from a CLA from Sherry K, which made a huge difference, they are 45 year old cameras. You might factor the CLA into the price. Best of luck. Get one, you'll appreciate it.
errorlogin
Love vintage Hifi, too!
+1 on drewbarbs comments. But not all changes in the later versions are improvements.
The earlier M3s have thicker top plates. The later Singlestrokes have thinner top plates and are easier dented.
Also the buddha strap lug is better. It has 2 rivets per lug. The later one has only one and sometimes it happens that it loosens and then the whole strap lug rotates.
The earlier M3s have thicker top plates. The later Singlestrokes have thinner top plates and are easier dented.
Also the buddha strap lug is better. It has 2 rivets per lug. The later one has only one and sometimes it happens that it loosens and then the whole strap lug rotates.
marduk
Well-known
I have both, a chrome DS and a repainted black SS, can't really give the preference towards either one. Both have been CLAd and griptac'ed by Youxin, but the DS seems to be a tad bit smoother than SS. Get the one with a recent CLA 
StillKicking
Established
I have both DS and SS M3's.. the difference between the two is negligible in every day use. My 'goto' camera is a DS with a dual range Summicron.
If you are looking for a camera to use then I would be more concerned about finding a M3 in good working order.. DS or SS is of little import (at least to me).
The only caveat is that I have been told that repairing a DS can be problematic due to a shortage of parts... often the only solution is to upgrade to a single stroke.
If you are looking for a camera to use then I would be more concerned about finding a M3 in good working order.. DS or SS is of little import (at least to me).
The only caveat is that I have been told that repairing a DS can be problematic due to a shortage of parts... often the only solution is to upgrade to a single stroke.
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
Buy the best condition M3 you can afford. I would rather you shooting film than waiting on a tech to fix a "cheap" M3.
I've used both and it really doesn't matter.
BUT... The DS has a special vintage charm that is hard to ignore.
The one I used was in beautiful user condition and the owner regularly ran over a dozen rolls through it every month.
I've used both and it really doesn't matter.
BUT... The DS has a special vintage charm that is hard to ignore.
The one I used was in beautiful user condition and the owner regularly ran over a dozen rolls through it every month.
canetsbe
Well-known
The DS rocks. IMO it's actually easier and quicker to do two short wind actions than one long one. Nothing wrong with SS but I find my finger stays on the shutter button better for quick shooting on my DS M3 whereas with my M6 the wind lever has to go past the area of where my finger rests so my finger ends up coming off the shutter button. Just something to think about but it may be unique to my shooting style. And don't worry, the DS action doesn't seem weird or anything once you actually start using it.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I have used both DS and SS M3's (from a #7002xx to a 1165xxx). As stated before here - buy on condition (finder, shutter mechanism etc). The finder is very expensive to replace if it has any problem ($700+). The DS also has a unique shutter brake and if it is worn or gone - you have to upgrade to a SS version as DS parts are difficult to find.
The rewind on very early DS (700 000 to around 703 000) is a bit fragile and can act up or even break.
At the moment I have a bit of a hybrid, a DS, converted to a MP look-like with M2 film counter and M2 drive. It is at the moment "shedding" vulcanite and when it has lost more than 50% I will re-cover it. The M3 is a very good 50/90 mm set-up and matched with a M2 for the 35 you are set.
The rewind on very early DS (700 000 to around 703 000) is a bit fragile and can act up or even break.
At the moment I have a bit of a hybrid, a DS, converted to a MP look-like with M2 film counter and M2 drive. It is at the moment "shedding" vulcanite and when it has lost more than 50% I will re-cover it. The M3 is a very good 50/90 mm set-up and matched with a M2 for the 35 you are set.