Leica M3

[thawkins]

Just found out about an M3 in the original box with the owner's manual and a 50mm lens. The owner wants to sell it at a "reasonable" price. Supposedly it has been used very little and is in excellent condition. What would be a "reasonable" price? If I buy this camera it will be a user and not a display item. What could I expect to pay for a complete overhaul (curtains, RF, shutter speeds, etc) if it needs it? Or just a CLA? I haven't seen the camera yet so I don't know what lens it has or anything else. All comments and suggestions are welcome.

Tom

 

[rover]

I think the best way to approach this problem is to PM the sellers name and number to me. 😉

Condition/function is everything. A full CLA from DAG and the big guys can run in the area of $300 if a lot of work is needed. Youxin Ye is a respected Leica repairman in the Boston area and he may charge less than $200. Again, depending on what needs to be done.

I would say the MAX I would pay for an single stroke M3, even a serviced one is less than $1,000, there just are so many out there. Cosmetics to me are not important so I would pay less for a good user before paying a premium for a pretty cam in need of a CLA.

Lenses can be anywhere from a couple hundred to..... I would just be sure it is clear and no fungus at all. A lens CLA can run up to $100, and there are no guarantees haze or fungus can be 100% cleared.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

KEH: BGN: $599 for the camera. That is probably more than he would get selling it to a dealer. I will probably work & won't need an overhaul. And, you can return it. (People have items and see what the dealer lists them for and expects to get that price but the dealer has overhead and a guarantee. When they try to sell it to a dealer they get about 40% if they can sell it. Most times they are offered consignment.) Always have the seller make the first offer. If he can't or won't then he is not serious but just fishing and using you to give information to him, i.e. he goes to the next guy and says he was offered so much and will you offer more.

 

[ferider]

I would pay up to 1200 for a very clean one with ser. nr > 1.1 Mio.
Up to 1000 for a very clean one with ser. nr > 1 Mio

Otherwise follow KEH prices.

Roland.

 

[drewbarb]

Mint cameras in boxes can sell for two or three times what a user will fetch. Meanwhile, a barely used camera is even more likely to need a CLA than a user. If you want a camera to use, your best bet might be to pick this one up for a reasonable cost, then turn around and sell it to a collector who'll pay top dollar for a mint camera with a box. Then buy a user camera here or from KEH. Factor in $100 for Youxin Ye to CLA it and say $150 for film, and you could still have some extra cash to put in the bank.

 

[rover]

I would pay up to 1200 for a very clean one with ser. nr > 1.1 Mio.
Up to 1000 for a very clean one with ser. nr > 1 Mio

Otherwise follow KEH prices.

Roland.

See, condition is important. My 1966 1.1 mil M3 is in good user condition, had a DAG CLA, and I only paid $725.

 

[RichardB]

When I purchased an almost Mint M3 # 1.1M range with 50mm DR from an estate about 15 years ago, it worked fine. I took it to a Leica 'Clean & Check' Day and the tech showed me it still had the 'L' seal and everything functioned fine except he said no lube, send it in within a year. I gave him the camera, Leica NJ did the work and its never missed a beat ever since except I now only use my M6 and M7.
So, know how to determine if the camera has been worked on and if it functions OK, expect to pay for a CLA in any event. Personally, I wouldn't purchase an M3 if I did not know the history but thats just me.-Dick

 

[shenkerian]

An A- or better M3 in its original box with manuals is probably worth at least $2,000. A "reasonable" price then depends on whether you want to give the guy a fair price or just the minimum that he'll accept.