Leica M3 price level?

[MXP]

I have always wanted a Leica M camera and the one I want most is a M3. What should I expect the price level to be for a near mint Leica M3? ....I know there are many variations but I am not looking for a rare M3 ......just a M3 in very good condition.

 

[KM-25]

I think $800 to $2,000 is pretty safe depending on it being either private party or ebay.

The M3 is by far my favorite M camera. Since it has no meter, the shutter release is not activating one and is *super* smooth, straight to release!

 

[MXP]

OK! ......about $1000 will be ok for me........
I have had an M3 in my hands .....and it is quite special to fire the trigger.......very soft and not much sound. I have several other rangefinders (Voigtländer, Retinas, FSU's etc.) but no of them has the feel of the M3. The M3 veiwfinder is also ok.......

 

[Solinar]

Get a M3 double stroke with user marks on the body and a CLA in recent times. You shouldn't have pay more than $600.

Get a M3 single stroke in pristine cosmetic condition with no user marks and you'll be paying upwards to $1000.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Like Andy said... but if you get it at a low price, budget for a $250 repair. After that, you'll have a Leica for some good 25 years.

 

[joebt]

This brings tears to my eyes. I have two M6TTls (0.72 & 0.85) and 1 M3 DS. The M3 is not only my favorite Leica, but it is also my favorite camera (Nikon F-100, F5, D70, D200, D2h, D3,) period!

I do much better using the handheld light meter and my M3 DS with a plain ole 50mm Slux.

The M3 is the best! I would say no more than $900 - $1,200.

 

[thomasw_]

The M3s with serial no.s over 1 Million or even 1.1 Million are the ones with all the features and were built when the workers were quite experienced; they are usually the most costly, as they fetch a certain premium. But even so, you should find one between 900 to 1400 USD depending on the condition and the exact serial no.; as the date of manufacture nears 1966, they get slightly more.