Fix the dent on top plate corner?

Srono

Srono

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I have a Leica M3 which as a dent at the top corner, near the frame counter. Is there any repairman who can fix it? I'm going to send it to Youxin for CLA service but I haven't asked him if he can do that.

If anyone has info on this, please share your experience. Thanks a lot!
 
Let you camera wear it with pride! It shows that not only has your camera been used as a camera but has done exciting things in its life. A forty to fifty year old Leica is supposed to have a dent or two. Think of it as grey hair.
 
Srono said:
I have a Leica M3 which as a dent at the top corner, near the frame counter... please share your experience.
Click to expand...

The dent will not come out completely - there will always be something of a blemish there. I would suggest you do nothing. If it bothers you that much, sell the camera and buy another one on a condition that suits you better.
 
Thanks for the comments, I got your point. It is not that I worry much about the dent but I'm going to send it to CLA this week. The speed dial was automatically turns to other speed after a shot. It is good if both problems can be fixed at once. That's why I'd like to ask if someone had the dent fixed before with CLA service.

Thanks!
 
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With all due respect to Mssers Kaplan & Blackwell, would you drive a car with a big fat dent on the bumper? I wouldn't. If you throw down for a CLA, have him punch out the dent or fill it with Bondo. My 2 Rupees.
 
When I sent my M2 to Focal Point about 11 years ago, I added to the list of things to be done, a request for a dent to be ironed out in just about the same place. (Leicas do seem to take a hit in that area, don't they?) When the camera was returned, the dent was still there. Evidently, J. Van Stelten & Co. didn't think it was a good risk. And I could see the chrome maybe chipping off, as a risk to think twice about.

You know, if it had been wearing the Luigi case I have for it now (that's it in my Avatar, BTW), it wouldn't have that dent.
 
Can't really do bondo on a chrome M3. 🙂 It would look worse than the dent.

Bondo would work if the camera were to be painted, tho.
 
Just for the record, my 2001 Toyota Tacoma has several small dents, and yes I drive it. It runs great and gets me where I want to go. I expect to keep it at least another five years, at which point, dents or not, it'll only be of interest to somebody who wants a good running reliable truck.

I would have missed far too many shots if my main concern had been protecting my precious little Leica. I would have lost shots while I was taking the case off to change film, then putting it back on again. Lastly, those pretty cases cost a lot of money in themselves and I'd be constantly worrying about keeping the case from getting scratched.
 
This comment is worthless without pictures!

You crusty old fart!

Al, you always pounce on members when they dare to ask a question about protecting their "precious" Leica. What is wrong with protecting your cameras? Why can't a new owner of a Leica body enjoy their camera and keep it in a great condition? If I want my Leica's to look nice while I enjoy them as a camera, why would you care? You comment, but why? Obviously not helpful...

Let us alone who enjoy the Leicas and want ours to look pristine...or not.



Al Kaplan said:
Just for the record, my 2001 Toyota Tacoma has several small dents, and yes I drive it. It runs great and gets me where I want to go. I expect to keep it at least another five years, at which point, dents or not, it'll only be of interest to somebody who wants a good running reliable truck.

I would have missed far too many shots if my main concern had been protecting my precious little Leica. I would have lost shots while I was taking the case off to change film, then putting it back on again. Lastly, those pretty cases cost a lot of money in themselves and I'd be constantly worrying about keeping the case from getting scratched.
Click to expand...
 
Part of the pride of owning a nice, classic car, camera, etc. is taking good care of it. If it has a defect or flaw, you get it fixed.
 
I guess it's just that I look at the Leica as a superbly well designed and reliable tool, not an Ikon to be worshiped. Maybe that's why Zeiss chose that name? But I'll attempt to bite my tongue when I get the urge to express my belief that Leicas were not created to be worshiped.

As for defects and flaws, if the camera doesn't function properly I'll get it repaired. If it's purely cosmetic I'd rather have it handy for picture taking.
 
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wjlapier, in your other posts you write about how worn your cameras are, the black worn off a Bessa, in a prideful manner. Ok, we'll let OTHERS maintain there pristine cameras, but I get the impression that you and I share the same attitude about the way OUR cameras look. I've read some of your other posts and seen the photo of the white plastic showng through the black finsh of your Bessa. Congratulations!
 
I understand that some prefer their cameras beat up and that's fine if that is what they want. I like my gear looking nice. Brassing is good. But a banged up rig? Truth be told I dont like my $200 Luigi scratched anymore than I want my suit wrinkled. That's just me.
 
35mmdelux said:
With all due respect to Mssers Kaplan & Blackwell, would you drive a car with a big fat dent on the bumper? I wouldn't. If you throw down for a CLA, have him punch out the dent or fill it with Bondo. My 2 Rupees.
Click to expand...

Well, with all due respect back to you, a camera is not an automobile.

I do like my cameras to remain in pristine condition - in this respect we are in full agreement. However, while some locations of a Leica M topcover can be pounded out with good results, the corner sections cannot simply be bondo'd and re-chromed to its original condition, nor can a "new" topcover be easily obtained and re-numbered.

The only viable alternative to what I already suggested (sell it and buy another one) is to repair, fill-in, and paint it. But to do this right gets very expensive. Trust me!

My point was simply (in this case) that the topcover cannot be restored to its original condition - there will always be a blemish in this location.
 
Thanks all for your comments from many points of view.

I will leave the dent as it is 😛 Last time, I read that Shintaro can fix the dent before repainting but it costs too much.

I don't really care much but I believe it is better to have a very new > 1.1Mil M3 without that big dent. I still need to send it for CLA, so it is better if both can fixed at once.

Tomorrow, it will be sent for CLA. I hope it will be a great shooter after the shutter dial is readjusted 😀
 
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