Leica M3 for $150

Great find, if you are in no hurry have it painted black. Youxin can send it off and he will do the CLA. Add $300-400 to the cost and have a nice looking black painted Leica.
 
Congrats Rover! CCR Luton in UK does complete CLA's while completely rebuilding the RF. My black M3 will go there, once Will van Manen finally returns from its very minor warranty adjustment...
 
rover said:
They were shutting up the shop as I was talking to the kind lady at the table with the cameras.

"They are all old, but all work well."

I explained that the camera I was intersted in was non functional because it can't focus. But I agreed with her that it was a nice camera and I was hoping to be able to find someone to repair it.

"I have been in the business for 50 years. The best thing is that German lenses will fit on that Japanese camera. It is an exact copy of a Leica"

I never said it was a Leica, and I was sure at this point that they never figured out how to get the meter off it to see the top and that the camera was in fact... a Leica.
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In this kind of situation I'd probably feel torn between coveting a camera on the one hand, and the feeling of ripping off the kind lady who has been running an indoor flea market for 50 years on the other.

Same reason I'd have a problem with those $10 Oxfam Leicas that people occasionally brag about.
 
rxmd said:
In this kind of situation I'd probably feel torn between coveting a camera on the one hand, and the feeling of ripping off the kind lady who has been running an indoor flea market for 50 years on the other.

Same reason I'd have a problem with those $10 Oxfam Leicas that people occasionally brag about.
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I don't think the lady has been ripped off here. She got $100 for a beat up old camera that doesn't work. And who knows, maybe it can't be fixed so the OP is stil taking a risk even though it is small.

On a related note, a guy on flickr once bragged about buying a new in box Mamiya 7 with lens for $10 at a yard sale. He said it was priced $20 but he tried to bargain the lady down to $2. That's what I call a cheap *******.
 
Rover, way to go on an enviable score. Now you've got it, where's this flea in West Haven? I'll have to check it out next time I'm visiting the kids at 06520.
 
In the pit of the night I dream of finds like this!

Tell us how the M3 turns out. If you can find a good repair guy it should be fixed soon. Will van Manen in the Netherlands would and could do it, he also works on lenses.

Congrats!
 
PMCC said:
Rover, way to go on an enviable score. Now you've got it, where's this flea in West Haven? I'll have to check it out next time I'm visiting the kids at 06520.
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I can't find a listing for it, but it is at the corner of Elm and Water Street. The entrance is on Water Street.

I know it is open on the weekends, I am not sure about during the week. I am going to stop in every so often. One of the guy was talking about buying cameras from someone, so they must have a regular stock?

If you are in town do stop in, but like I said, what they have is pretty rough.

It is like a big indoor tag sale, but less organized and not as clean as someone's yard. Not a junk shop, but getting there.
 
I'd say this is the perfect candidate for painting- you got it for a song, it is not a rare model/serial number, it is engraved and the finish is so-so at best. What's to lose?
 
rover said:
I am giving a lot of thought to painting this baby black.
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Personally, I would keep the chrome finish but leather it with a beautiful brown leather. Keep it simple but beautiful. If you want to paint it how about a simple black paint job and a nice anthracite colored leather.
 
Waiting is the hardest part.....

I sent the M3 off to Youxin Ye. Waiting on his feedback regarding the finder. Fingers crossed.
 
rover said:
Waiting is the hardest part.....

I sent the M3 off to Youxin Ye. Waiting on his feedback regarding the finder. Fingers crossed.
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Just reading this thread now.
Ralph, that's an incredible find. Lucky you :)

I hope Youxin will have positive news for you.
Keeping my fingers crossed.

Cheers,
Dave
 
:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

Guess what is all clean and ready for a return trip to Connecticut. I feel like jumping in my car and taking the ride up to Boston to pick it up myself.
;):D:):cool:
 
I think I am going to pop some TriX into this little girl and just use it as a work horse. Youxin did not have a proper cover in stock so I will have to replace that myself. No big deal, I am pretty excited just to hear it is in good shape and ready to use in just a weeks time.
 
Oh, and he did service the Nikkor. In his email he said he have been able to return it to good user condition. I suspect that means there still may be a little haze on some of the elements, but honestly it was unrealistic to expect anything more.
 
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