I just got my first Leica! But is it a dud?

cinemakyle

cinemakyle

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Okay, so I've been searching and scrounging for a well-priced Leica M3 for a few months, and won this eBay auction last week. I am kind of tired of waiting around for the deal of the century to come my way. As you can tell from the ebay photos, it's not in the greatest cosmetic shape, but I just want an M3 that will allow me to take great photos. I got the camera today, and I need some help deciding whether it's worth what I paid. I don't want to be stuck with a dud. :bang:

A bit of info:
It's a Single Stroke. The viewfinder has the later version with the two notches. It also has the later round strap lugs, not the buddha type. This leads me to believe that it's been updated in the past? Does this sound right for that SN?

The shutter is in working order. All the speeds seem correct. But there are some white spots on the curtain. Should that be a concern?

My biggest concern is that when I inspected the rangefinder with a flashlight, I see two or three dark spots in the middle, and some darkness on the bottom too. I can't see those through the actual viewfinder, only when I'm looking through the rangefinder lens side and with a flashlight shining through it. Is this serviceable? How big of an impact will it have in every-day application? I haven't seen a pristine M3 to know what it *should* look like, I can only compare it to my Bessa R. Compared to the Bessa R, i'd say it's about equal. the M3's viewfinder patch may be slightly brighter, but much less finicky than the Bessa.

I'm going to try to swing by Steve's Camera tomorrow and see what they say, but what is your opinion?

Is it worth what I paid, or should I send it back? I do have a 7-day return window with the seller...but will I be able to find something better in that price range? For a 50 year old camera, I know I can't expect everything to be perfect, but should I be able to find one with a better VF patch?

Thanks!
 
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Oh my god. Are you complaining that is has *A* nick on the body? Shutter works on all speeds but it has a dust speck or two on the shutter? Some minor imperfection on the rangefinder window? Honestly... I think you are ridiculous, but that sounds very rude. You seem to have a very nice camera. Get over it. Take some pictures mate :) It's not a fashion accessory, it's not a bimbo blond under your arm to show off your friends to. It's a german, 50 year old camera ok? Get over it. Good luck!!
 
Its a really nice one! congrats! Mechanical and functionality is more important for these old cameras..is the shutter running well?

If yes, then keep it...the price u paid for is rather reasonable as well..:)
Im still camping for my first leica camera as well....hoping to pick a leica M2 from rff or ebay!
 
Moriturii said:
Oh my god. Are you complaining that is has *A* nick on the body? Shutter works on all speeds but it has a dust speck or two on the shutter? Some minor imperfection on the rangefinder window? Honestly... I think you are ridiculous, but that sounds very rude. You seem to have a very nice camera. Get over it. Take some pictures mate :) It's not a fashion accessory, it's not a bimbo blond under your arm to show off your friends to. It's a german, 50 year old camera ok? Get over it. Good luck!!
Click to expand...

It's his first Leica and he is concerned. There is no need for all that sarcasm. ;)

OP, it looks like you have a fine camera. As I'm sure you already know, a camera of that age will show some wear. The problems you describe don't sound too bad. It probably just needs a good CLA and it will be ready for another 50 years of use. Good luck.
 
Check ANY camera over closely enough and you can find things to worry about. Without seeing and handling the camera it's impossible to say but from the sound of it you have a perfectly usable camera.

Cheers,

R.
 
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That's not a bad price for a working M3.
Ask the technician if the dark part in the bottom that you described is a sign of separation.
 
Sorry, I couldn't find the serial number. The camera looks nice to me, and I think the price was about right for a single stroke. Mine came from KEH in BGN condition, and has worked perfectly for six years now with only one trip to the shop to fix the flash synch circuit. A mint condition M3 would cost you a whole lot more than you paid.
Go start shooting pictures, and have a ball!
 
Have Steve give it a CLA. I think you will eventually want to anyway, so save yourself some trouble and just take care of it. Steve just CLA'd my M6 ttl and it feels great! (plus mp finder upgrade, and m3 advance lever) It is a great shop indeed.
 
If it works, just use it... CLAs are not always necessary. Never ever had one done on any of my Ms.
 
I got a £300 well used M3 SS from a dealer that had just come back from a dealer CLA when the owner decided to offload. The camera was a bit tatty for this London dealer so he wanted rid of it. I snapped it up and noticed later that the VF has a slight shadow on one side, which you notice only if looking and comparing. I have no idea the cause but dont care because it works perfectly, is smooth as butter and was a steal. I will however be sure not to throw it against concrete just in case the slight VF issue is early separation! I bet yours is good for a decade or two more, just like mine, and at $680 you have a bargain. if in doubt, only experienced eyes will tell you the issues. As always, the best bet is a few test rolls using ALL SPEEDS. I had a beater M3 that works perfectly, but I have had new Leica items that have not!
 
Sounds like a pretty good deal. The viewfinder specks can just be dust or some minor flakes of black out paint. The "shadow" can be a concern later on - or not. This is after all a 50 year old camera!
Just have the tech check the speeds and check the curtains. The white specks can be fungus or just dust.
Shoot some film with it and if everything works out fine - just continue to use it. If you feel like servicing it at some time in the future, so be it - but it works, just keep using it. After a while you will get used to its idiosyncrasies (if any) and add some dings and dents to it anyway.
Good luck and enjoy it.
 
I just got back from our Wednesday street market, where I shot another roll of Tri-X. Have you put a roll through your new M3 yet? Get out there and make art!
 
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