Leica M3 and FSU rangefinder

[vanyagor]

Thanks a lot for so many usefull answers and suggestions.

Couple more questions:

What is a good price for an M3 (body)?
What is a good price for Bessa R?

Also some poster misunderstood what my problem is. It's not viewfinder. It's the smaller image from the rangefinder.

In my Zorki-3M I can barely see it even in good conditions. It's usable only on very contrasty subjects and where I can see a sharp edge or some vertical line. Almost impossible to focus on a face or in low light. I do not say it is impossible, it just requires too many efforts for me. Actually my feds are much better than my Zorki 3M. They have much smaller and less bright viewfinder, but the image from the rangefinder is pretty sharp.

Is Zorki 3M rangefinder really so dim, or is mine faulty. How can I improve the image from the rangefinder? Is it worth to disassemble/clean it? If you know of some instructions for disassembling/cleaning the rangefinder unit, please let me know.

 

[Adam-T]

I`ve never used a 3M but It sounds like it needs a cleanout - I have the "C" which is closer to a Zorki 2 and the RF is pretty good, no where near as dim as my Leica III (which probably also needs a cleanout) - maybe Zorkikat or others can report on the 3M`s RF unit but I`d expect it to be at least as good as a Zorki C which is more than usable..

 

[Screwy]

You could try Rick Oleson,s tip for resurrecting a dim rf patch . I might give it a go on my 3M as the viewfinder is bright enough but as you say the rf patch is a little dim.


OK just tried it on my 3M and it's definitely an improvement but you need to match the size of the piece of tape with the size of the rf patch or you will have problems focusing on smaller objects due to the tape obstructing the viewfinder .


Paul

 

[rover]

A DS M3 in decent user shape can be found with some shopping for @$600, maybe less if you are lucky, you will see some for more too. I bought a 1966 SS M3 which was CLA'd by DAG in good condition, some day when I change the vulcanite it will be better, for $700.

Well, yes, actually too the viewfinder of the Zorki 3m is larger than the Leica LTM models and even the late larger VF Canon models, but it is no match for a M type VF (that includes the Bessas, Hexar RF, ZI...)

You can buy a new Silver Bessa R from Cameraquest or Photo Village for $250, $300 for a black one, jump up to $400 and you will get it with a nice 35mm lens.

 

[rbiemer]

I don't have a Leica M3--yet--but I do own two Zorki 3m cameras. I sent one to Oleg (okvintagecamera.com) and had it CLA'ed. The difference between it and the other one is startling! I am going to send the other one off to him soon. The biggest difference is the RF patch; on the serviced camera I can see it very well in almost any lighting. The other one, however, is effectively unusable any other time than daytime outdoors.
Ronb