M3 Nice Price

[Stu W]

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEICA-M3-VINTAG...ryZ30030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Seems like a nice price for an M3. Stu

 

[matt fury]

Wow, that does look like a pretty good deal!

 

[erikhaugsby]

That's a really early M3--it still has the old shutter speed progression (1, 2, 5, 10, etc) and no frameline preview button.
Still, at under $500 there is enough financial room for a CLA to make a really nice, and useable, Leica.

 

[Keith]

After my experiences I'd want to be sure the rangefinder is functional! 😛

That's a good buy though and I expect it will be gone soon ... these early M3's with the stylish lugs and no preview lever really are a classy camera and represent a huge step for Leica historically. If Youxin can ressurect mine I suspect I may not sell it after all and this camera isn't really that far off the cosmetic condition of mine. 🙂

 

[xayraa33]

That's a really early M3--it still has the old shutter speed progression (1, 2, 5, 10, etc) and no frameline preview button.
Still, at under $500 there is enough financial room for a CLA to make a really nice, and useable, Leica.

it also most likely has the glass pressure plate.

 

[Keith]

I was just checking serial numbers and this camera is a '55 model which is the second year of production ... I think production started at s/n 700,000 and in the first year, 1954, 10000 cameras were made. I have just realised that mine is a very low number ~ 703 xxx ... perhaps I will keep it after all! 🙂

 

[Stu W]

Keith, one of my M3's is a 1955-glass pressure plate, no preview lever, old style shutter speeds. Bright viewfinder and as smooth as butter. It wreaks quality. I was wondering where your ad went. Maybe you'll get lucky and Youxin can resurrect it for you. Stu

 

[Keith]

Keith, one of my M3's is a 1955-glass pressure plate, no preview lever, old style shutter speeds. Bright viewfinder and as smooth as butter. It wreaks quality. I was wondering where your ad went. Maybe you'll get lucky and Youxin can resurrect it for you. Stu

I sure hope so Stu, Youxin has a very high opinion of these early M3's and he would know I guess because he's inside them all the time! He seems to think that they were built to a standard that is unique!

If it is too far gone I may just bite the bullet and get the rangefinder redone by Luton in England ... that or try and find another mechanism for him to put in it! 🙂

 

[Pablito]

as good as the price may seem, I'd be very wary w/o seeing the viewfinder & RF patch. I had one of these once with an RF patch so faint it was almost impossible to focus except in the brightest light. And as we have seen in other threads, reslivering is usually impractical or v. expensive.

 

[David Murphy]

Certainly a reasonable price even if it had an issue or two, the cosmetics are so nice it's worth putting work into it.

 

[Keith]

I wish sellers would put a little more effort into providing crystal clear pics ... that shot of the bottom plate is all but useless. 😛

I sent him a message asking about the opperation of the viewfinder and rangefinder patch! :angel:

 

[mfunnell]

My DS M3 (833xxx) has the frameline lever (which I use), the old shutter speeds - and has a few scratches on top and bottom plates. Its an excellet user, though. I wonder if Keith's is early enough in production that its more "collectible" than "user"? Just random curiosity...

...Mike

 

[erikhaugsby]

I wish sellers would put a little more effort into providing crystal clear pics ... that shot of the bottom plate is all but useless. 😛

I sent him a message asking about the opperation of the viewfinder and rangefinder patch! :angel:

D'ya think he's informed enough to know how to respond? Knowing most sellers, "I don't know anything about these old cameras so it's sold strictly 'AS-IS'."
Whatever that means. 😀

 

[Keith]

Gone ........

 

[Bavaricus]

Gone ........

Yes, bought by somenone who registered at ebays YESTERDAY, with null feedback (of course!). Did the seller read this thread and stated his "buy now" was too cheap? Am i too suspicious?

 

[Keith]

As a matter of interest I have just had a message from the seller letting me know that he has relisted it due to a non confirmed address of the winning bidder. I can't seem to find it in the auction pages though. He also told me that the viewfinder and rangefinder are perfect!

But where is it? 😕

 

[Keith]

I found it ... if what he told me is true about the rangefinder someone should grab it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEICA-M3-VINTAG...ryZ30030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[matt fury]

Sold again, thank god. My trigger finger was getting unnecessarily itchy.