Gonna buy another M3.

[Richard G]

I didn’t like the M3 rounded 50mm frame line corners. Looked through an MA viewfinder last year. My M2 VF is pretty special, but the clarity of the modern VF is stunning.

 

[JeffS7444]

This, Jeff, is a little contradictory to the quote from the Classic Camera Profiles from the site owner, Mr. Gandy:

"M3's with serial numbers over 1,000,000 havea premium placed on them, providing they are in collectible Mint- or bettercondition. Many people believe, rightly or wrongly, that these cameras are thehighpoint of Leitz craftsmanship. It was the end of production with a veryexperienced work crew of craftsman. The serial #'s over 1.1 million are evenmore highly regarded, for the exact same reasons. Most of the very last M3's (aprox1,000) had the later and in some people's mind less desirable M2 type lens release. Whether the later M3's really are better made by a small amount is not thatimportant in practical terms, that they sell for more is. "

???

As a shooter's M3, I'd choose those later iterations any day, for improvements including the frame preview lever, SS film advance and modernized strap lugs. Really pristine examples are always going to command a premium, but more common Ex++ examples ("eBay Mint"), are still pretty accessible.

But value is very much in the collector's eye, and anything which piques a collector's interest, such as minor but uncommon variations, can have a considerable impact on resale value.

 

[Harry the K]

The double stroke burns more calories. Double stroke users, in case you haven't noticed, are usually ripped!

You´re a serious contender for the photo-specific-entertainment gold medal!