How much is a totally destroyed M worth...

[ornate_wrasse]

Sorry, I don't buy the Scuba diving accident. Who makes an underwater housing for a M3?

As someone who regularly dives and uses an underwater housing to shoot underwater, I am not aware of anyone who makes a housing for an M3. Even if they did, almost no one shoots film anymore. Even those who shoot with a Nikonos, which does not need a housing, are few and far between. I suppose, though I find it hard to believe, that it could have happened that it was dropped off the side of the boat while diving. But it sounds unlikely to me. Anyone who brings a camera like that on a boat while diving is not very smart.

I had a flood about two years ago when diving in Indonesia, and yes, salt water can do amazing things to a camera. I just wish I could have sold my camera for half of what the seller is asking. But it wasn't a Leica ...

Ellen

 

[Mister E]

Scuba Diving accident is just sarcasm for it got wet. I shoot around the ocean all the time and I'm lucky this hasn't happened to me yet. If it had I'd just give it a good bath in fresh water, leave it sit in the fresh water and then dry it completely and send it to sherry to have the curtains replaced.

I can't believe that this thing is over $100, but if the spool and advance lever are worth at least that. When you can buy a CLA'ed nice M3 from Tamarkin or elsewhere for $650 there's no reason to buy crap like this.

 

[johannielscom]

I'd have the lens serviced and shoot it.

No, really.

I would invest to see what the shots would turn out like with a non-coated Summicron-DR with glass damage.

As for the levers, rewind mech, shutter dial and bottom plate: USD 100 they will easily fetch when sold as parts.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Sad thing is, if he'd kept it submerged in fresh water then gotten it repaired immediately it probably could have been saved.

 

[Mister E]

Sad thing is, if he'd kept it submerged in fresh water then gotten it repaired immediately it probably could have been saved.

True, but it's one of hundreds of thousands, right? I've resurrected 3 or 4 Leica's now and I'm not going to be doing it again.

 

[menos]

I concur, it's a little ridiculous to try and resurrect a camera in such bad shape. M2's and M3's in working condition can be found for $600.00 and there are lot's of them on the market at anyone time.

I don't think at all, it would be ridiculous, to resurrect it.
If you are into camera, mechanics and metal works, this camera brought back to life would have such an high amount of personal value, that it would be very hard, to find a better present or treat, to oneself, than this camera.

Of course, it would be hard, to excuse the economics, but people do not rebuild old stuff purely for economical reasons.

I could imagine a nice black paint M3 here.

 

[Roberto V.]

That must be quite a 'character' lens...

 

[tyrone.s]

It'll actually turn out to be a rare Jacques Cousteau model.

 

[jsrockit]

I wonder if the ad is from the owner or someone just having some fun...

 

[Paul Luscher]

The horror! The horror! Those pics are my worst camera nightmare come true...

 

[sanmich]

did you guys read the Q/A?:

Q: Is the camera completely intact ? Rangefinder lenses etc. intact ? A:Look at the second picture in the auction description. This is a macro shot of the 12-o'clock screw on the camera bayonet. On top of this screw the factory used a wax seal with a script letter "L". To disassemble the camera you must destroy the wax seal. The existence of the seal on this camera indicates this camera has not been opened since it left the factory. Have a nice day!

😀😀😀

 

[archeophoto]

It went for $321! I'm speechless...

 

[BillBingham2]

I have to say I am too (speachless). While I'm sure Brian could harvest some great parts from the lens, not sure how much the body is useable. I have to think someone was smoking some wacky tabacky here.

For less than double you can get either a very nice working M2 or M3 on the classifieds here. You are going to sink a whole lot more money breathing life into that one. I know Leicas are wonderful cameras, I've owned several and have thought about buying a beater IIIa and breathing life back into it myself. This one just has me baffled.

Equally scarry is the parity of the Canadian Dollar to the US Greenback........

B2 (;->

 

[B.J.Scharp]

That's almost what I paid for my perfectly operational second M3...

 

[johannielscom]

I thought it looked ready for the bin, turns out its the loony bin 😛

 

[sanmich]

My conclusion is that the next time I need to sell a leica that needs a repair and doesn't really look good, I will roll on it with my car, throw it in a fire for a couple of hours and then let it rotten a couple of weeks in the aquarium. I should then get a better price than the original, not-perfect, camera...

 

[Vince Lupo]

I paid almost that much for a really nice M4 last year!

 

[HuubL]

Now, that's a great example of what is called Leica Lure! I bet its new owner is an RFF member.

 

[bizarrius]

Now, that's a great example of what is called Leica Lure! I bet it's new owner is an RFF member.

and will probably post some awesome pictures with it 😀

 

[David Hughes]

What's the betting that, within an hour of that one selling, a mint one sold for half the amount?

Regards, David

PS Of course, no one values mint ones for parts...