Happy dance - M3 is here!

[Ken Ford]

(I normally don't post from work, or even log in – but I'll make an exception today!)

The M3 just arrived. Waiting for the package to warm up a little was pure agony.

I love KEH.

The camera (a "Bargain" condition one) is gorgeous. It has 100% of the vulcanite, no dents, and only very minor scratches in the chrome - the largest one looks like it would rub out if I'm careful about it. It doesn't even have any meter damage! And get this - it appears to still have the original wax seal!

The shutter curtains look good at first examination, the finder seems bright and clear, and I'm not seeing any indications of separation. The pressure plate looks almost brand new. The shutter speeds even sound close compared to my recently serviced M6.

I'll check it out more tonight at home, but it looks like a real winner!!! I'm going to try and go out at lunch to run a roll through it (it's snowing like mad here).

Weeeeee!

 

[Kyle]

Congratulations! There are some real bargains over on KEH.

 

[like2fiddle]

Congratulations Ken! Have fun at lunch.

I've heard many times that KEH is conservative in their equipment ratings.

 

[ferider]

Congrats again, Ken. KEH is cool.

I wonder if I will dance too, tomorrow, Roger ? 🙂

Roland.

 

[Ken Ford]

Ah - I found a small area of Vulcanite damage near the baseplate - no worry. I was out shooting in the snow at lunch and after work. Very nice!!!

 

[Ken Ford]

I haven't used my 40 much since the M6 arrived - I remember now why I like this lens!

 

[Way]

Congrats on the M3! That would be my next film camera!

 

[edodo]

nice shot!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

That's a really nice photo, Ken! I like the snow falling about and the pedestrian in motion. Neat job! 🙂

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

That is a great shot. It looks like you took a B&W photo and colorized the cars. That's not what you did, right?

 

[LeicaM3]

(I normally don't post from work, or even log in – but I'll make an exception today!)

The M3 just arrived. Waiting for the package to warm up a little was pure agony.

I love KEH.

The camera (a "Bargain" condition one) is gorgeous. It has 100% of the vulcanite, no dents, and only very minor scratches in the chrome - the largest one looks like it would rub out if I'm careful about it. It doesn't even have any meter damage! And get this - it appears to still have the original wax seal!

The shutter curtains look good at first examination, the finder seems bright and clear, and I'm not seeing any indications of separation. The pressure plate looks almost brand new. The shutter speeds even sound close compared to my recently serviced M6.

I'll check it out more tonight at home, but it looks like a real winner!!! I'm going to try and go out at lunch to run a roll through it (it's snowing like mad here).

Weeeeee!

My experience with my M3 from KEH as well.

Enjoy!

 

[grainhound]

I just got mine today as well. Not quite as lucky as you guys: no take-up spool (the one thing I didn't think to ask about & it wasn’t mentioned), & the shutter is “a little dry” according to my repair guy. That is being fixed, so it's less a bargain than it looked to be. KEH wants $79.00 for a spool, though they'll take off $10. Kevin (KevinCameras) has them LN for $50 & EX++ for $35. My repair person may have one, so that's what I'm hoping for. At least it looks good, especially for BGN. When I’m done, it’ll be fine, just more expensive than I thought it would be.

 

[Ken Ford]

Charles, Francisco, Ara - thank you.

Ara, you're close. I used to really be into hand tinting B&W prints. When I started shooting half digital a few years ago (using scanned film) I quickly learned how to do "faux hand tinting" in PhotoShop.

Take a color image, desaturate, and apply the "history brush" as desired. It works best with highly saturated films IMO - this one is 400UC.

I haven't seen this technique mentioned anywhere, but then again I've never looked. I kind of stumbled onto it by myself, but it's so obvious that I'm sure others are doing it, too.

 

[Ken Ford]

I just got mine today as well. Not quite as lucky as you guys: no take-up spool (the one thing I didn't think to ask about & it wasn’t mentioned), & the shutter is “a little dry” according to my repair guy. That is being fixed, so it's less a bargain than it looked to be. KEH wants $79.00 for a spool, though they'll take off $10. Kevin (KevinCameras) has them LN for $50 & EX++ for $35. My repair person may have one, so that's what I'm hoping for. At least it looks good, especially for BGN. When I’m done, it’ll be fine, just more expensive than I thought it would be.

Bargain condition equipment is supposed to be fully functional - it's hard to claim an M3 without a takeup spool could legitimately be BGN!

I'd press the issue with them, and demand a spool.

 

[grainhound]

Thanks Ken, that's what I thought. It's reassuring to hear it from someone else. I'll be emaiing them later when I have time to write a tactful note. Will post results.

 

[Skinny McGee]

I bought my M3 from KEH "brg." Never have had a problem I love it.... I also had them CLA my Nikon N80... Their service center is really nice.... They call and let you know everything that is going on and let you know when it is going out... Just little things that are hard to find in a world where most business say "well when ever I get around to it.." Congrats on The M3

 

[LeicaM3]

I just got mine today as well. Not quite as lucky as you guys: no take-up spool (the one thing I didn't think to ask about & it wasn’t mentioned), & the shutter is “a little dry” according to my repair guy. That is being fixed, so it's less a bargain than it looked to be. KEH wants $79.00 for a spool, though they'll take off $10. Kevin (KevinCameras) has them LN for $50 & EX++ for $35. My repair person may have one, so that's what I'm hoping for. At least it looks good, especially for BGN. When I’m done, it’ll be fine, just more expensive than I thought it would be.

That is unlike KEH.
Call them and discuss. I would be very suprised if they do not accomodate you.
I would call vs. e-mail.

Good Luck.
BTW, you might want a second spool anyway.


Andreas

 

[markinlondon]

An M2 or M3 sold without a take up spool, unless clearly stated as such, would fall into the category of "unfit for purpose" under EU trading laws. I'd be surprised if it were any different in the US.

 

[Ken Ford]

I've seen KEH list Ms without takeup spools as "As Is" items. I suspect it's a simple screwup on KEH's part.

I agree with Andreas - call instead of email.

 

[grainhound]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I phoned, & the spool will be in the mail by Monday at no charge. It was no doubt a mistake; no one, no company is perfect & I'd deal with them again.
The work on the shutter would have come eventually anyway. Haven't checked the serial number on the web for date of manufacture, but the shutter speeds under 1/100 are 1/50, 1/25, 1/10... so it's old. I'd rather get the work out of the way now than wait for the shutter to act up just when I need the camera.

Guy