Leica M3 Quick Load Kit

[NicoM]

I just found out that there is a quick load kit for early Leica cameras that differ from the standrad loading spool.

The Leica that I purchased a while back has the quick load kit rather than the standard spool. Does this take value away from the M3 that I have? I'm just curious to know incase I sell this camera in the future.

 

[yossarian123]

No, I think the opposite - it should add some small amount of value. And the quick load kit is easily reversed if you don't want to use it.

 

[JMQ]

The QL kit by itself is about $100-150, so your M3 should be worth a little more. Agree with yossarian123, you can always remove the QL kit and replace it with the normal spool.

 

[NicoM]

Wow, I would have never thought that it would increase the value. Im ny mind, "modifications" usually lessen the value of classics. I guess it's good new for me! Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[rolfe]

I assume everyone knows this, but maybe not...

You can send your M3 to DAG and have the M4/M6 loading installed.

 

[NicoM]

I assume everyone knows this, but maybe not...

You can send your M3 to DAG and have the M4/M6 loading installed.

I really don't care for anything more. I just wanted to know if my camera was of lesser value because of the modification. Thanks.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Well, um, to me you modify them with a hacksaw or else spray pink and add a "Hallo Kitty" logo. But the kit you have is an official Leica one and so it "improved" and not "modified" and - if you had it with the plain spool - you'd see why.

People will pay good money for the kit and even more for the instructions.

Regards, David

 

[NicoM]

Hi,

Well, um, to me you modify them with a hacksaw or else spray pink and add a "Hallo Kitty" logo. But the kit you have is an official Leica one and so it "improved" and not "modified" and - if you had it with the plain spool - you'd see why.

People will pay good money for the kit and even more for the instructions.

Regards, David

Wow. Yeah, I see your point regarding modifications. Mine has the new sicker on the bottom with how to load the film. I've seen a few M3s with the kit that don't have the sticker. I was so scared when I first saw that mine was different because I thought it was a fake/modified Leica that was just someones junk. I guess not 😛

 

[Roger Hicks]

The stickers tend to fall off -- or, if the kit was old enough, not to stick at all.

Some hate the schnellladenspule, but those who love it, love it. Me included.

20 years ago, I bought 10 kits for $160. Used 3; gave away 2; sold 5...

Cheers,

R.

 

[errorlogin]

I like the quick load kit, too.

But it is more useful for the M2. In the M3 yo have to take out the spool anyway to get the film counter to zero. So, not so much quicker in the M3, but nice anyway.

They go for 100$? Wow, I maybe should think about selling one of mine. . .

🙂

 

[Sparrow]

quick load is a oxymoron in this context, it is in fact slower and doesn't always load anyway ... it's what happens when the marketing dept get their way with engineering

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

If you've lost the sticker then play around with this:-

It measures about 19 by 68 mm and is best mounted on the body and not the base plate (unlike the Barnacks). And facing the right way...

I hope this is of some use

Regards, David

 

[JMQ]

I just quickly scanned at the completed listings on the 'Bay, and there were 10 QL kits sold in the last 3 months. The min price sold is $76, and the max is $131, with the majority clustering at the $100-120 mark.

 

[errorlogin]

Thanks for the info!

David, good stuff! Thanks so much for that! 🙂

I played a little bit aroung with that. Tried to keep the look a little vintage.
I am not so good in playing with Gimp, but here is my result:

 

[Roger Hicks]

quick load is a oxymoron in this context, it is in fact slower and doesn't always load anyway ... it's what happens when the marketing dept get their way with engineering

Dear Stewart,

This is the exact opposite of my experience. I also find loading to be more reliable.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

To me the "quickload" is a waste of money on M3 you have to pull the takeup spool to reset the counter, push it back and be very careful with the align of the film in rails. Much better idea is to invest in a few extra normal takeup spools and push the film in the slot in spool and have them in MACO double film containers, already in pairs.
http://www.macodirect.de/film-c-567_383.html?osCsid=48d7d94ece46997c39897649a6c3a72a

 

[Roger Hicks]

To me the "quickload" is a waste of money on M3 you have to pull the takeup spool to reset the counter, push it back and be very careful with the align of the film in rails. Much better idea is to invest in a few extra normal takeup spools and push the film in the slot in spool and have them in MACO double film containers, already in pairs.
http://www.macodirect.de/film-c-567_383.html?osCsid=48d7d94ece46997c39897649a6c3a72a

Even with the M3 I (fractionally) prefer the rapid load but I see your point. The idea of multiple take-up spools has never appealed to me. But then, after maybe 37 years of using Ms, I don't find 'em hard to load any more. Nor did I ever find 'em difficult after the first year or two.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

When I was using the quickload in my old M2 i found it frequently out of alignment to load quickly. If I modify my M3 to have the M4 winding mechanism to use the Tom`s rapidwinder in M3, I am definitely going to have the "tulip" take up spool as well.

 

[Roger Hicks]

When I was using the quickload in my old M2 i found it frequently out of alignment to load quickly. If I modify my M3 to have the M4 winding mechanism to use the Tom`s rapidwinder in M3, I am definitely going to have the "tulip" take up spool as well.

I'd not say that I'm right and you're wrong, because that woud be silly. But equally, I'd say with great confidence that I prefer my way to yours -- for me. The only reason I challenge you at all is to remind people that there are very few absolutes in these matters.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

being a "reportage camera" leica M is terribly slow to load, whatever system you are using to load it. The original Contax with "from cassette to cassette" as pairs was the quickest.
Nikon SP not bad either, open the cover, slip film end in takeup spool shoot a frame to attach the film in it and drop the cassette in its place and close the back.
Leica is "old school" in good and bad...