m3 ss/ds question again

[Pherdinand]

now, more direct question:
I am thinking about getting an ex-DS M3 in user condition (clean and shutter is fine) that is modified to single stroke, the asking price is about 520 USD (380 euro, actually).
Want to use it with my 50/1.2 canon and especially the big 90/2 summicron.

Would you buy such a body? Is the price okay? (it's not ebay, it's from a shop)

 

[Ken Ford]

I have a strong preference for the later shutter speed progression. If it is one of the late DS bodies, the price seems fair.

 

[xayraa33]

great price if the rf/vf is ok.
my late date DS M3 is super, and I had it for 32 years and it was not low priced when I picked it up in Munich.

 

[Mackinaw]

great price if the rf/vf is ok.

Absolutely agree. Some DS M3s' are starting to show their age with the rangefinder/viewfinder being rather dim. If you can, check before you buy.

Jim B.

 

[Pherdinand]

i can' t check before buying since it's in Vienna and i'm in the Netherlands.
However the ad says vf is "clear".
thanks people

 

[WoolenMammoth]

500-600 seems to be the market on a user M3, make sure thats the one you want.

 

[Tom A]

the thing to watch with DS M3's is the shutter brake. If it is gone, you have to install the SS brake in it. In this case, being converted to SS it is probably already done. Price seems fair, provided that the viewfinder/rangefinder is clean and clear.

 

[Pherdinand]

to be honest, i thought it would be better than a "fair price" (that's why i asked).

I'm considering a real user m3 (or m6 .85), a beat-up, i don't care how it looks or how many scratches it has as long as it works perfectly fine...

 

[rlouzan]

Things to look out for:

*VF brightness/separation - compare several M3 bodies at the same time.
*almost no play in the DS - after film advance.
*No dents near the film advance lever/frame counter.
*2 dot rewind knob/metal pressure plate preferable.

 

[Graybeard]

Absolutely agree. Some DS M3s' are starting to show their age with the rangefinder/viewfinder being rather dim. If you can, check before you buy.

Jim B.

I offer these comments on "dim" rf/vf's on Leica M3's -

I have several DS M3's. Two of these had quite dim rangefinder patches when I bought them - DAG serviced both of these cameras for me and brought the "brightness" or contrast of the rangefinder patch back to a perfectly useable level of performance. My oldest M3, among the first year production of that model, had no visible rangefinder patch when it arrived here. Despite my aging (age 61+) eyes, I can now focus this jewel at a light level which would require 1/10th sec, f2 with ASA400 film - you'll have to work out the footcandles or lumens for yourself here, I'm afraid, but it is a pretty low level of light to be shooting photographs handheld, at least)

DAG will delve into the M3 rangefinder optics far more deeply than the other (perfectly competent) service shops. My message here is that a dim rangefinder in may not a fatal flaw but an indication that specialist service is needed. I wouldn't buy a camera with a dim rangefinder patch, but neither would I discard a camera which I already owned for that reason.

To answer the question about the price of the camera, it seems quite attractive, provided the seller offers you a reasonable amount of time - say a week - to go out and shoot a few rolls. If you don't have a darkroom yourself, buy a couple of rolls of color negative film and have them processed at your local one-hour photo place.

If all is well, buy the camera. However, start putting funds aside for a CLA ; all mechanical cameras need them regularly (electronic/plastic bodied cameras go to the landfill).

Good light -

Graybeard

 

[payasam]

Graybeard is right -- Greybeard

 

[HuubL]

Buy it Pherdinand. This seems a lowish price to me!

 

[Mackinaw]

I have several DS M3's. Two of these had quite dim rangefinder patches when I bought them - DAG serviced both of these cameras for me and brought the "brightness" or contrast of the rangefinder patch back to a perfectly useable level of performance.

Good comments, but while DAG can do a credible job of restoring the brightness of an early M3 viewfinder, he can't do miracles. He serviced my old DS M3 years back and could only make the viewfinder passable at best. As he put it, it as too far gone to restore to factory specs. I still use the M3, but I can only accurately focus with high contrast subjects. Someday I just may send my M3 to CRR for a total viewfinder overhaul, but for now, I just use my MP.

Jim B.

 

[maddoc]

The M3 is certainly well suited for fast 50s and 90s but the RF is the Achilles`heel ... If "VF is clear" means the RF has still enough contrast and doesn't show signs of separation, it sounds like a good deal. I would only buy if return is possible, though.

 

[johannielscom]

The M3 is certainly well suited for fast 50s and 90s but the RF is the Achilles`heel ... If "VF is clear" means the RF has still enough contrast and doesn't show signs of separation, it sounds like a good deal. I would only buy if return is possible, though.

Signs of separation are the worst. If these are absent, most of the time rangefinder mirrors are the next problem. I own two M3's, one has a deteriorating mirror, it seems there are little hairs in the rangefinder patch. This effectively is the silver on the mirror starting to crinkle, and will require swapping parts out to solve. The other M3 I have reassembled myself. I found (by reading Tomosy's book on Leica repair) that getting the rangefinder patch back to brightness requires only the (very careful!) cleaning of one mirror that is in plain sight once the top plate is taken off.

I have the tools, some experience and the book and live 30 kms away, Pherdinand. You're welcome to my kitchen table (during daytime) next week should you need it. You can take a look down my M3 to see whether I did the job correct.

 

[ferider]

Is this the camera you are considering ?

https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/chrome-single-stroke-p-197.html

If yes, it's a good store, I have bought from them before. Price for an M3 in this condition is average, but this store likely allows you to return it.

There are other stores in Vienna that are more risky.

I myself prefer frameline lever, "new" shutter speeds and DOF marks in the finder.

Roland.

 

[Pherdinand]

Yes Roland, that's the one. Actually i followed your link from the other thread and found it there 🙂

Thanks Johan both for details and invitation. It is not (yet) actual, but i will keep your invitation in mind 🙂


Thank you all for the reactions. I will inform you if there is any follow-up 🙂