M3

[tennis-joe]

I had not used an M3 Leica in quite a while and I shot a roll through it more as a test to see how it was operating. For some reason I was doubting it, well I got the roll back and shot ASA 200 at ASA 100 and they came out great. I was ready to send it out for cleaning to one of the 3 masters as the one person in this area has retired. Now I can trust it to be a good camera. The camera is in the 900,000+ serial # and I am pleased.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Few years ago I got DS ELC M3 with original Midland seal. Take-in spool was with rust. It was not used for this long. It was working once I got to use it. No issues.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I actually pulled my M3 out of the cabinet the other day while looking for something else. I'd like to give it a run with a roll of film but don't want to pay for the developing. I didn't even exercise the shutter, which I probably should have done just for drill. Maybe next time.

 

[rfaspen]

I try to exercise the shutters of all my cameras on a regular basis. In reality, I end up working the shutters of just a few cameras in my main cabinets - which are mostly the RF and SLR cams I tend to keep in circulation. That's about 20 cameras out of an accumulation of at least 200. To be fair, most of those "neglected" cameras have other issues or some kind of hassle to use. Stuff like stereo cams, or 620 or 828 or 127 or 126 or micro16 or 2.5x3.5 film eaters. I just have too many cams, and I have a clear cadre of favorites. My M3 is most definitely a member of my favorites 😀.
BTW, my accumulation (collection) of cameras is an organic outcome of an appreciation of "Photography" and the rich history of photography. It just happened 😱

 

[tennis-joe]

I believe the exercising of the shutter might have made the difference in the camera and saved my the money for repairs. Lucky me.