m3 s/n / value question

[ampguy]

Have been reading all about these. Curious as to why the > 1,100,000 s/ns are worth more than say the 1,000,000 ones.

Is it because this is when the depth of field indicators were put in? Do people with great condition high s/n ones generally shoot with them regularly or just collect them? or is it a mixed bag?

 

[FrankS]

They were the last ones made, which is important to collectors, I guess.

No.

Mixed bag.

 

[physiognomy]

...

edit - sorry, I re-read your question & see you were talking about the serial #'s above 1,100,000...

Peter

 

[Kim Coxon]

There is good info on Stephan Gandy's site here http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

To quote Stephan "M3's with serial numbers over 1,000,000 have a premium placed on them, providing they are in collectible Mint- or better condition. Many people believe, rightly or wrongly, that these cameras are the highpoint of Leitz craftsmanship. It was the end of production with a very experienced work crew of craftsman. The serial #'s over 1.1 million are even more highly regarded, for the exact same reasons. Most of the very last M3's (aprox 1,000) had the later and in some people's mind less desirable M2 type lens release. Whether the later M3's really are better made by a small amount is not that important in practical terms, that they sell for more is."

Kim

 

[MelanieC]

Mine is over 1.1. I'm pretty sure my dad bought it new, and that it's simply what was in the store that day. He used it as his everyday camera -- it was our family's vacation camera, baby picture camera, birthday party camera, etc. Despite the fact that it got a lot of use, it remained in excellent condition. I could probably sell it for quite a bit of money.

Now, I use it as my everyday camera. I'd like to keep it in the condition it's in now, but if it gets some use wear that's OK because there is no way, ever, that I will sell this camera.

So, to answer your question, two consecutive owners have shot regularly with this M3.

 

[Silva Lining]

My M3 is pre 1,000,000 its 884,XXX, so it doesn't really answer your question. Mine does have some battle-scars from its previous-life, no collector would look twice at it. But as a user it works perfectly and I love it and use it every week.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks all, this is great info., I've read pretty much everything on Cameraquest btw 😉

One I'm interested in now, has no warranty (as is sale), and no recent CLA, so I'll let that go to a collector. Interesting enough, the guy (local to me), has several other 3's, but mostly older d/s and/or d/s converted to ss.

 

[ampguy]

ok

ok

I will show some ignorance here.

What does "done by Sherry" mean?

I have one

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/1333305/1/62873578

http://ferider.smugmug.com/gallery/1333278

and I shoot with it. IMHO, it's worth every penny. I like the DOF indicators, the RF callibration to .7 min focus (done by Sherry), and the fact that it is only a few months younger than me ... On the other hand, I'm spoiled, the purchase was
an impulsive decision and this is the one and only M3 I have handled ... :angel:

I liked that it was clean when I bought it - I want to know that its marks
are my marks 😀

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Melanie

Thanks Melanie

That is a great story. I'm sure your dad probably got such a great camera hoping that you'd make use of it. Those are also excellent photos of your dogs.

Mine is over 1.1. I'm pretty sure my dad bought it new, and that it's simply what was in the store that day. He used it as his everyday camera -- it was our family's vacation camera, baby picture camera, birthday party camera, etc. Despite the fact that it got a lot of use, it remained in excellent condition. I could probably sell it for quite a bit of money.

Now, I use it as my everyday camera. I'd like to keep it in the condition it's in now, but if it gets some use wear that's OK because there is no way, ever, that I will sell this camera.

So, to answer your question, two consecutive owners have shot regularly with this M3.

 

[rover]

Mine is a 1966 camera over 1.1 million too. It has been used, the vulcanite can use some work, but she is beautiful and physically excellent. I didn't pay a premium either. I think a late M3 in true mint condition has a higher value than low serial number cameras, but I found mine for an average price. As always, condition is king.

 

[ampguy]

what's an average price?

what's an average price?

does anyone keep data on what these go for?

Mine is a 1966 camera over 1.1 million too. It has been used, the vulcanite can use some work, but she is beautiful and physically excellent. I didn't pay a premium either. I think a late M3 in true mint condition has a higher value than low serial number cameras, but I found mine for an average price. As always, condition is king.

 

[FrankS]

Check ebay, completed auctions

 

[Rich Silfver]

My M3 is 1,000,000+ as well and if memory serves me right there was a change in the view-/rangefinder window that is roughly as of 1,000,000 that makes them less prone for later de-cementation (is that a word?).

I tried to find the thread over on pnet where I read about this but was not able to retrieve it.
Would be interested to hear if anyone else know anything about this.

 

[Kim Coxon]

AFIK, there were 3 variations on the finder in the DS models but this had finalised by the SS models. More here near the bottom. http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page10.html

Kim

My M3 is 1,000,000+ as well and if memory serves me right there was a change in the view-/rangefinder window that is roughly as of 1,000,000 that makes them less prone for later de-cementation (is that a word?).

I tried to find the thread over on pnet where I read about this but was not able to retrieve it.
Would be interested to hear if anyone else know anything about this.

 

[kenspix]

I held a m3 wednesday serial # starting with 999xxx. boy i couldn't get over how smooth it felt,the film advance was like butter and i thought my 1955 model felt great. no scratches and a really clean body. i wish i could have tried it with film in it......