M3 w. Summicron on ebay right now

[JoeFriday]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30030&item=3866470753&rd=1

I'm no expert on M bodies, so I'm wondering why no one is bidding on this.. is it overpriced? is there some obvious flaw I'm not aware of?

 

[jdos2]

F-U-D-G-E!

I can't buy it.

Love the Avatar.

Oh! And my stab as an answer to your question:

The camera is a DS, with no frame preview lever. The lens is pretty beaten up, with no eyes. It's a Leica that'll need some work, and won't ever have the valuable ability to switch frame-lines.

 

[aizan]

framelines will still change with the lens or lens adaptor. and i wouldn't say the frameline preview lever is necessary, or generally helpful...it's the leica m's appendix!

 

[denishr]

The camera and lens are actually rusty - best seen on the bottom plate. Pretty beat up, I'd say, and rust points to numerous possible problems which might be very expensive to fix.

Denis

 

[kafrf]

It looks to be in questionable condition, to me, esp at the starting price. You can buy an M3 in better condition for less from several reputable dealers. "Less" than what you're going to pay to have this one put into usable shape.

 

[former member]

I sound like a broken record...

I have sent cameras in much worse shape than this one to Essex and have them come back in great working order.

 

[rover]

You can sell the DR lens and pay for at least most of the camera CLA.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

To me... slightly overpriced, especially considering its condition. However, as Brian says (and Rover backs his reasoning), it's a repairable and resellable machine.

A CLA and repair will cost around $350 (my wild guess). Selling the lens may yield a couple of hundred bucks (it has no eyes and the side is rusty). All in all, not a bad purchase; just needs some further investment.

So, as it's not an immediate user and the starting bid was already high, that's probably why only three people are bidding on it. They're probably planning on doing what Brian and Rover said.

 

[former member]

Essex charged me $150, two-way shipping another ~$15) to repair JD's EX-M3. That included the shutter capping, cleaned "spider hair" out of the VF/RF, repaired Vulcanite, etc. The VF/RF is like new. My other M3 was closer to $200, but it required finder parts. They typically charge $90 to "deep clean" a lens, including my fogged Summarits.

BUT: As been pointed out, there is always some level of risk with "can of worms" cameras. This seller is a camera shot with decent feedback.

JD: Are you looking at M3's again???

 

[JoeFriday]

thanks for the input.. I wasn't planning on bidding on it.. but as of only 12 hours left in the auction, there hadn't been a single bid, and I was curious what the appraisal was on it

I guess I didn't realize what the cost of a thorough CLA would be

 

[kafrf]

If you're really looking for an M3, there are a couple of very reputable dealers offering M3's in working condition, very good to excellent, for less than the starting bid on this item. Check Tamarkin's M3 listings:
http://www.tamarkin.com/catalog/products/leica/leicamcam.html
I've bought from them and never had a problem.

 

[kafrf]

I could have added: I've had generally good luck with the items I've gotten on e*ay. I ask questions and ask for more photos if needed. I have also had even better results buying from some of the more reputable dealers, in terms of price and quality. Seems like the stuff on e*ay is getting really pricey, considering the quality, but I guess you just have to be patient and keep looking.

 

[JoeFriday]

I doubt I'll be looking for an M3 as I prefer models with a built in meter.. but I know what you mean about ebay.. I use it more as a guide for street prices of used gear