But the real question is how is Fidel’s M2 repaint from Chile?
John,
I would say really nice, and a lucky find.
The paint looks to be more durable than on my Hammertone M4. My M4 has mucho chipping along the edges and won't take too long to become mucho brassy.
I think Fidel's M2 has a much more durable finish, and I also like the matte finish.
I didn't see defects, but Fidel pointed out the white paint on the engraving was not perfect (perfect enough for me), and that the Vulcanite has some bubbles he could not smooth out (easy fix).
I took a shot with the camera. Seemed nice and quiet like it should.
So remember the M3-DS that I bought at Adorama that was factory serviced by Leica in Germany? I have it back.
This camera later got day traded for some vintage Bruce Davidson prints with an art dealer, then I got it back in a loan sharking deal, then I sold it to Brian who moved to Boston, then I bought it back.
The M3 is now skuffy from 4-5 years of heavy use. The slow speeds were off and the camera would jam. Unjamming was easy by increasing the spring tension by raising the shutter speed. I negociated the price lower to include a CLA/overhaul. Evidently Brian never used the slow speeds.
So I recovered the slow speeds, but the run on whirl that happens after the shutter closes does not happen. I made the camera usable and then I jammed the camera for good. Pretty much a shutter curtain came loose.
Oh-well.
So now this camera needs a shutter repair and an overhaul.
So this camera is the loudest M3 I ever shot. It never softened up, got quieter, or smoother. It has a new "L" seal.
So now I have the opportunity to solve a mystery. I think I'll send it to Sherry. Pretty much she does stuff for me that she would refuse others. I wonder if my M3 has steel gears. I don't really know what Leica did in Germany. The film advance has always been very firm and remains so. The shutter is particularly loud.
So if I have steel gears, then Sherry could install the driveshaft I need to use a Rapidwinder on a M3. Years ago Sherry called me a jerk and told me that the brass gears were not intended for the abuse of a Leicavit.
Of course a lot of this is my imagination, and perhaps I'm being delusional (nothing new).
So I figure that I could create a murder mystery with the forensics of getting this camera serviced. Could be interesting. You know that I'm a drama queen.
A M3 with a TA Rapidgrip and TA Rapidwinder would be "evil" and be another one of my "monsters."
Cal
