M3 opinion

[dfoo]

I've been keeping an eye out for an M3 for a while, and this seems like a good deal. Obviously it needs a CLA and new curtain... not entirely sure how much that costs all the same. I'm a little suspicious as it says DS, but the serial number is too high. Change the top plate? Or more probably a listing mistake. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350212598898

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Well, it's going to go for more in the end, I suspect. I don't think anything has been changed on it. There are some pretty good prices on working M3's out there now.

 

[Vics]

I'd wait for one that's ready to go. Keep checking the classifieds here and watch KEH.com. They presently show 5 DS and one SS.
Vic

 

[Rogrund]

I'm a little suspicious as it says DS, but the serial number is too high. Change the top plate? Or more probably a listing mistake. What do you think?

The serial number says 1958, and if I'm not mistaken the last double strokes were manufactured in that year. So the listing might be correct.

 

[dfoo]

Ok, according to http://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm

It says:

3/26/1958 M3 with depth of field mask, single stroke film advance 919251 924500 5229

The serial number on this camera is 916350 so just under the line 🙂

 

[wjlapier]

Be patient and the right one will surface. I bought mine on ebay a short while back. It was sold with a 35/3.5 Summaron , but it was the pictures the seller took that seemed to turn folks away. The add said mint condition and the seller had perfect feedback, but the pictures were poor. So I took the chance--return policy in effect. It was a truely mint condition M3, working perfectly at all speeds, and after I sold the Summaron I was out $500 for a mint M3.

 

[joebt]

The venerable M3 DS.....I took mine out today after shooting with my M6 0.72 for a few days. As soon as I put that M3 DS to my eye and focused that 50 Slux and watched my subject just snap into focus, I said Jeezzzz...If Leitz made a better camera he must have kept it for himself!