M3 Prism where to find one?

[batterytypehah!]

Well there's one sitting on ebay right now for $96 buy it now, $10 shipping. So I'd say your seller is dreaming.

Let me say that the meter is accurate and I do like having it on the top plate. My biggest gripe is that it doesn't stay on, even for a few seconds, after you let go of the shutter release.

 

[B-9]

I always tend to use my handheld meter over any of my camera's, although I have to say I like using the DP-2 meter head on my F2 its pretty damn accurate for its age, and having yet to see service.

That seems like a big ergo flaw? having to keep the shutter depressed for a readout? I can see how that would get irritating

 

[B-9]

Just wanted to update and add a question.
First, Ive called all the local shops I could think of here in Michigan with no luck as to finding a RF, it seems they want to charge me to tell me the same thing I already know. I tried telling a few shops this but they soon dismissed me and gave me a redicolous number for repair, I believe this just to have been a tactic to get me out of their hair. I even had a shop 15 miles away tell me it would cost 1000$ to only replace the prism... yeah no way.

After alot of google searchs and empty leads, im going to move to the repair sticky here on the M forum and cross my fingers for a better price!

I also read that there are a few people out there putting new MP RF's in M3's although the magnification is slightly less, Has anyone had this done? I was told on another site its a 400$ venture, its on the borderline of my sell it or fix it price. Im now starting to believe I over paid.

 

[batterytypehah!]

I think at this point I would take the long view. It's probably not an economical repair at off the shelf prices for the parts. On the other hand, it's never going to be a collector's item, so why not have some fun? How about you re-cover the body, paint the top and bottom plates, stick that 25/4 on it (if you did buy it) and go shooting, scale focus? Eventually a used RF assembly may find you.

I would also consider grafting a simple 50 VF from a cheap fixed-lens into the top. Early 60s Voigtländer finders are really nice and consist of just one cemented block which is dead easy to remove. (However, they're true 1:1, which may just be a little too big for the available space.) Add a not too fast 50 and you have a killer scale focus kit to play with while you wait.

 

[johannielscom]

'Replacing the prism' actually does get close to USD 1,000.

If you want a new part in there, Leica still sells the 0.85 MP finder and it can be made to fit. A repairman in NL quoted me EUR 750 for the part, and it would likely require custom fitting it due to the RF progressions in the M3 design. So compared to EU prices, USD 1,000 would be cheap because I'd likely look at an EUR 1,100 repair bill here 😱