Gifted an M3

[Rob-F]

Congratulations, Mudman! When I read about the dim rangefinder, it may mean that a prism needs to be re-cemented. The guy who comes recommended for that is Youxin Ye, in Boston. You can find his website, YYE camera repair.

You said the pressure plate is cracked? Is it the glass plate? The serial number is early enough that I believe it could be. Is it a double stroke?

Yes it looks well used! But of course it must be restored. You don't throw a Stradivarius away!

 

[Mudman]

Congratulations, Mudman! When I read about the dim rangefinder, it may mean that a prism needs to be re-cemented. The guy who comes recommended for that is Youxin Ye, in Boston. You can find his website, YYE camera repair.

You said the pressure plate is cracked? Is it the glass plate? The serial number is early enough that I believe it could be. Is it a double stroke?

Yes it looks well used! But of course it must be restored. You don't throw a Stradivarius away!

Hey Rob (did you used to post on Popphoto?)

I just sent youxin an email.

Probably is glass for the pressure plate and yes it's a double stroke. The rangefinder itself is later - single stroke era. It's got the divots for figuring out depth of field. It is starting a bit to separate, but the biggest issue seems to just be oxidation of the mirrors - I can see the black squiggles on them if I angle the camera just right.

I've got a roll of film in it, see how it comes out. Wish this thing could talk! It didn't really come across that much in the photos, but the chrome is worn, really worn. Satin almost and just tons of wear to all the edges.

 

[Guth]

What a great read this thread turned out to be. Best of all, it sounds like you have a wonderful friend. I hope that it all comes together for you with this M3 when all is said and done!

 

[Mudman]

Unfortunately Youxin says he cannot fix it if it has desilvered.

 

[Mudman]

Gifted an M3

Additional weirdness - It doesn't like mounting all of my lenses. My 90mm Summicron almost got stuck in place! I's like the lens is catching on something and not releasing from the mount. The only other lens was an adapted 35mm Voigtlander Color Skopar. Everything else I tried was fine.

28mm Elmarit, 35mm Zeiss, ltm 50mm Summarit, 50mm Elmar, 50mm Summicron, 90mm Elmar, 90mm Elmarit, 135mm Elmar. All good. Any thoughts on what could be catching?

 

[Mudman]

Last bit - this might be a Canadian M3? Anyone confirm?

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Additional weirdness - It doesn't like mounting all of my lenses. My 90mm Summicron almost got stuck in place! I's like the lens is catching on something and not releasing from the mount.

I had the same with my 90mm Summicron, I decided the lens was so heavy it was pulling at the mount. That wouldn't be the case for your Color Skopar though.

 

[Mudman]

I had the same with my 90mm Summicron, I decided the lens was so heavy it was pulling at the mount. That wouldn't be the case for your Color Skopar though.

I think it's getting caught on the rangefinder cam

 

[Rob-F]

Hey Rob (did you used to post on Popphoto?)

No, I didn't know there was a Popphoto. I used to be on Photo.net quite a bit, and still am from time to time.

Unfortunately Youxin says he cannot fix it if it has desilvered.

There must be someone. Sherry or Don?

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Unfortunately Youxin says he cannot fix it if it has desilvered.

Contact Don Goldberg ("DAG"). He can repair the RF (and the pressure plate) - dagcam[at]chorus[dot]net.

And FWIW, there's something off about the serial number engraving (it was not done in Germany). It's either early Canadian or aftermarket.

 

[Mudman]

Contact Don Goldberg ("DAG"). He can repair the RF (and the pressure plate) - dagcam[at]chorus[dot]net.

And FWIW, there's something off about the serial number engraving (it was not done in Germany). It's either early Canadian or aftermarket.

It is Canadian from what I can tell. I thought the same thing when I saw it. Serial number matches the chassis (I checked). I also think someone refilled the black ink in it.

I got a hold of Don, and he is pretty sure he can suss the rest. I will finish the test roll and go from there.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

That's a great looking camera. Little rough around the edges but once it's dialed in mechanically it'll be a user for sure.
Congrats on receiving it and getting it revived.

 

[Mudman]

Looks like I’ve found an entire rangefinder assembly (and then some) for the camera! Seller says the rangefinder is bright, clear and working. Sent the photos to my repairman before buying. Comes with everything pictured for a very fair price. Once he green lights it, I’ll grab it and get the camera tip top.

Does anyone see anything wrong with the assembly or anything to keep an eye out for? Excited that this may fix the biggest issue. Looks like a new door or sending the old one to DAG will fix the pressure plate.

 

[Mudman]

DAG and my local repairman both said to try the repair first before going for a replacement that may have the same problem in a few years.

 

[Mudman]

Gifted an M3

It is off to DAG for the final fix Monday. Talking with my friend today, I feel even more honored to have this camera. It turns out it was his dads first Leica, and covered daily news for a local paper for decades. Explains the heavy wear. Cannot wait to have it working proper again.

 

[raid]

I see "typos"?
It’s and dad’s and Can’t.

Is this seen at your screen too?

 

[Huss]

I see "typos"?
It’s and dad’s and Can’t.

Is this seen at your screen too?

Ra&id;s

I$ don&t see an&rsquoything like tha&t

Weird’s

 

[santino]

€&@$} ????

 

[Dan]

Raid,

I see those typo's throughout the thread, too.

 

[Mudman]

I see "typos"?
It’s and dad’s and Can’t.

Is this seen at your screen too?

It is a weird glitch from Tapatalk. If you use contractions, it makes the text weird. It has been going on for a while. I thought the head bartender was aware @cameraquest, but it still happens.