M3 - glass pressure plate?

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yoyo22

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Well, I couldn't resist to pick up a cla-ed user-M3 DS with an Elmar 90/2.8 (including hood) for a mere 366 Eur.
I am amazed with the speed dial which shows those funky 1/5th, 1/10th, 1/25th, 1/50th ... speeds. Seems to be the european version, as far as I read. So now I am wondering if I got one of those few M3s with a glass pressure plate. How do I tell if it is one? The plate in the back is quite thick, being held by a metal frame on three sides.
Serial is 755***.
 
Your M3 is an early one, serial number shows it was made in 1955.
The early M3s had the 'different' shutter speeds and the glass pressure plate. This was changed in 1957.

As to european version, aren't all Leicas european :) ...
 
Congrats on the M3. That's an amazingly low price you paid for a CLA'd classic M + 50 Elmar!
 
Rik said:
Your M3 is an early one, serial number shows it was made in 1955.
The early M3s had the 'different' shutter speeds and the glass pressure plate. This was changed in 1957.

As to european version, aren't all Leicas european :) ...
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Oh yes, it's old. I didn't realize it at first, but it does not even have the preview lever.
 
HuubL said:
Congrats on the M3. That's an amazingly low price you paid for a CLA'd classic M + 50 Elmar!
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Thanks. It looks quite beaten, but the viewfinder is absolutely clean and times seem to be on spot. The seller had it cla'd recently.
But it's not a 50 Elmar, it's an Elmarit 90 2.8.
 
yoyo22 said:
But how can I check if it has the original glas pressure plate or if it has been replaced...
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I'm not sure, but wouldn't a replaced glass plate still be original? I'm unsure as to their availability these days as replacement parts? And if I may ask, would it really matter?
 
Rik said:
I'm not sure, but wouldn't a replaced glass plate still be original? I'm unsure as to their availability these days as replacement parts? And if I may ask, would it really matter?
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I read that the original glass plates were often replaced with metal ones once the camera got back to Leitz. That's why I am wondering if I got the glass or metal version.
 
My M3 has a glass PP. When I got the camera, it was a mess, and the PP was cracked. (the camera had suffered a VERY hard fall). Youxin Ye had a very hard time finding one, he had to get a whole new back door from DAG instead. I rarely hear of these cracking, apart from serious abuse like mine, so I'd say yours is probably original ?
 
yoyo22 said:
But how can I check if it has the original glas pressure plate or if it has been replaced...
Click to expand...

A metal plate will be directly attached to the pressure springs while a glass plate will be clamped into a metal plate.

Look at the sides of the plate and see if you can see the edge held by crimped metal holder..
 
I see... thanks.

I just took off the back and checked it. It looks like a metal frame which is held by the springs. In the frame the pressure plate is mounted in.

So I guess I got a very early M3 DS without preview lever and original glass pressure plate for a good price. Must have been another lucky day for me. :)
 
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Back to the glass pressure plate - is there a valuable technical advantage of a glass plate instead of a metal one or, in other words, why did Leica put a glass plate in and why did they change back to metal later on?
 
ath said:
Back to the glass pressure plate - is there a valuable technical advantage of a glass plate instead of a metal one or, in other words, why did Leica put a glass plate in and why did they change back to metal later on?
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From what I know, theoretically a glass pressure plate keeps the film flatter because it can't be bent or otherwise deformed as the metal plate can. However, in some conditions, friction of the film against the glass plate can cause static (electrical charge, tiny electrical arcs, sparks) that shows on the film in a form of shapes resembling spider web or lightning. Metal plate is a conductor and static does not accumulate there ( I guess that's why?) . In practice metal plate is just as flat as long as it is in good shape (literally).

I encountered a problem of static when using motion picture cameras where the film travels very fast, I had no idea it could also be a problem with still photo cameras. However, a base of a modern still photo film is probably more resistant to static because it is designed to be used in cameras with motorized transport. I doubt that glass plate in M3 can cause static anymore.
 
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