How to buy an M3 on the cheap...?

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schmoozit

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I'm pretty convinced now that an M3 is for me. I'm pretty broke, however, and am looking for a beater that works well. I want cheap, but if cheap means the M3 arrives with a need of CLA, it aint cheap anymore.

What do you all think is a good way to go about this? I know I can pick something up from Ebay, but what do you think would be a good and safe (relatively of course, there are obviously no guarantees) deal from the bay, price-wise?

I'd love to know if anyone here has anything to offer me. Since I am pretty tight right now I don't want to run a WTB post just yet.

Thanks,
Brent
 
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I got mine real cheap as in free, however it was quite emotionally charged. The Camera belonged to my dad and he gave to me before he passed on earlier this year. I am the current custodian and it will be passed on within the family down the road if I have kids.

Bill
 
Sorry that you got the M3 the way you did, Bill.

Thanks for pointing that out, Brian. I'd really like to keep things under $600, though it looks like it really is a good deal. I'm thinkin' about it.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
The is one for sale here at RFF for $600 in good working condition and probably an EX+ or 8.5/10 condition. I have seen parts M3's got for $400 on Ebay. You will not get a better deal on an M3. An M3 CLA will run over $200.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11454
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That's no beater. That's a really nice example of a used but cared for M3...to be a beater some vulcanite has to be gone/replaced, and it would need some meter marks and dents :) :)

I'm looking for another M2 or M3 to paint - the price is right on this one, but the camera's too dang nice to repaint.
 
I got my double-stroke M3 (serial # 837...) for 360 Euros + shipping from Germany. It's in excellent condition; everything works superbly; no need of a CLA. It even looks pretty good on the outside; hardly any scratches or dings; just a few small imperfections in the Vulcanite.

Why don't you browse ebay.de, the German version of the auction site, and get an M3 there? If the description is in German only, you can use one of the free online translating services; there's one on dictionary.com for instance. If necessary, you can also post a link here and Roman or I can help you out. Finally, make sure to bid only in the last 30 seconds of the auction.

Good luck!
 
Hmmm... you're in Okinawa and want an M3 for under $600... Kinda tough.

I've seen the last few days M3s in KEH going for slightly above that price. Keep an eye on them in case the store decides to lower the price.

Check other online stores. After looking for a user M3 I found mine for $495 in National Camera and Video Exchange, a store in St Paul/Minneapolis. It was a user in that the vulcanite was falling off, but the RF patch and speeds are fine... and still has the "L" wax sign on the lens mount. $17 bucks later (paid to Morgan Sparks of Cameraleather.com) and a kinda flimsy job recovering it, I find it quite enticing! :)
 
hoot said:
I got my double-stroke M3 (serial # 837...) for 360 Euros + shipping from Germany. It's in excellent condition; everything works superbly; no need of a CLA. It even looks pretty good on the outside; hardly any scratches or dings; just a few small imperfections in the Vulcanite.

Why don't you browse ebay.de, the German version of the auction site, and get an M3 there? If the description is in German only, you can use one of the free online translating services; there's one on dictionary.com for instance. If necessary, you can also post a link here and Roman or I can help you out. Finally, make sure to bid only in the last 30 seconds of the auction.

Good luck!
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Hey! Thanks for that offer, hoot. I have hope!
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Hmmm... you're in Okinawa and want an M3 for under $600... Kinda tough.

I've seen the last few days M3s in KEH going for slightly above that price. Keep an eye on them in case the store decides to lower the price.

Check other online stores. After looking for a user M3 I found mine for $495 in National Camera and Video Exchange, a store in St Paul/Minneapolis. It was a user in that the vulcanite was falling off, but the RF patch and speeds are fine... and still has the "L" wax sign on the lens mount. $17 bucks later (paid to Morgan Sparks of Cameraleather.com) and a kinda flimsy job recovering it, I find it quite enticing! :)
Click to expand...

Yeah! I've been watching KEH. I think their prices have gone up a bit since the Leica price increases. Anyway, I know there is something out there.

Thanks.
 
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