M3 Questions

[srtiwari]

In trying to learn more about my M3, which I bought years ago, I have just realised that serial #s above 919251 are the ones that are 'Single stroke'- mine is too, though serial # is 819XXX. Does this mean that it was modified ? Is it possible the top plate is changed ? This is not just idle curiosity, since I may need to spend some money on the RF patch, and get the body re- covered, but have wondered about selling it to try and buy a later one. The lugs are the Buddha ear shapes, which occur in, both, the DS and SS models...

 

[rover]

Your's seems surely to be an earlier model. It was a common modification to change from DS to SS, and that obviously has been done. Is it worth selling? If you have it serviced it should be back to running order, therefore just a nice as a different M3. YOu will most likely not be able to command too much of a price selling in need of repair. What is up with the RF patch?

Oh, and how much do you want for it?

 

[srtiwari]

The RF patch is faint--- (Long story- http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00FqI6&tag=) --- in brief, I may have to send it to Luton or Colorado, to get fixed...

Are ther any OTHER disadvantages in the earlier serial # M3s, since mine otherwise is lovely, and works fine.

 

[rover]

I don't know if there are advantages or disadvantages, but Gandy explains the differences here.

http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

 

[former member]

The shutter speed is probably the older set, ie 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50: matches well with a Weston Master II. I would not worry about that.

Essex in New Jersey did a great job on my M3 finder. You might also contact them.

 

[srtiwari]

Actually, Brian, the shutter speed set is NOT the older type- mine says 1/30, 1/15, 1/8 etc.
The RF patch will have to be fixed...

 

[former member]

Looking at the SN, they modified that too.

The newer shutter speeds came in at "serial #854001 (1957)" from Karen Nakamura's site.

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?LeicaM3.html~mainFrame

It does not surprise me. I have a 1946/7 Leica IIIc that was factory converted to a IIIf. Every detail was updated.

 

[Graybeard]

My M3, SN76XXXX was also modified to single stroke; it does still have the older shutter speed progression and the ceramic film pressure plate (another indication of the camera age).

I also had a dim rangefinder patch. DAG was able to dismantle the RF and clean the prisms to nicely restore the RF patch brightness. Not every service technician will go that far into the M3 RF optics and I suggest that you send it to him.

While you have it in the shop, consider also having the flash sync connections modernized from the odd contacts that Leitz originally installed on the M3. The replacement set for the M4 is a direct replacement and accepts the common PC flash cords. If the top is off the camera for other work, the cost will probably be not much more than that of the replacement part.

 

[Ronald M]

I have had two converted to ss. Worth every dime of the $200 cost years ago.