scottwallick
ambition ≥ skill
Good to know.
And while I'm at it, anyone have a CV 15mm, 21mm, or 25mm? I'd like to see how these work with the M9.
Particular
a.k.a. CNNY, disassembler
If I remember I'll bring the CV 15mm which is now attached to a mutilated IIIc I paid $100 for.
(I leave all the pretty cameras for Cal to buy)
(I leave all the pretty cameras for Cal to buy)
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Helen Hill also has a 35 Cron ASPH.
As far as 35's go I just got my Nikkor 35/1.8 LTM back from warrentee service because of lens wobble. Less than 1500 ever made, sharp like a modern ASPH lens, but low contrast.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
For ultra-wide the Plaubel 69W is hard to beat: leaf shutter, 6x9 negative, tilt, shift, and its a 21mm equiv.
I like shooting this big camera when I want to get in your face. LOL. Also has that big grip like one of my Nikon F3's with motordrive.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
for those who have been salivating over Cal's Leica-furbished M3, i was just at Adorama today and apparently they just got in another one! although cosmetically it doesn't seem as mint as Cal's, with some scratches on the bottom plate, etc., mechanically it can only be described as brand-new. they wanted $1400 i think, which seems pretty decent.
so someone should hurry on over and grab it so that we'll have a pair of these extra special M's at the next meetup!
Nothing like Leica factory overhaul, even my prism mirror was resilvered. Don't be disappointed if it feels overly stiff, it takes a while for a complete overhaul to settle in. I believe that my dual-stroke even got a set of new gears. Initially the shutter was as loud as a SLR.
Cal
I can't believe you think double the going rate is decent just because it seems to work mechanically as new. Buy a $700 model and get a CLA seems to be the better option no?
I told Jeff to bring the 35mm ASPH.
andredossantos
Well-known
I thought the price was so high because the VF was re-silvered. I can see paying a premium for that considering the older M3's get the more likely the VF will go bad. And that is a very costly repair.
Well, to each his own... but honestly, I've a owned a M3, have had plenty of aquantances that have owned / own them, and it seems that these cameras still work great after 50 years. I don't know of anyone, besides Cal, who's had resilvering done. I guess my point is that it isn't a common procedure that needs to be done to most M3s. Then again, I'm not a MINT type of person and would rather take my chances.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I imagine getting your prisim resilvered by Lutton to be rather costly. Also the there is a big difference between a CLA (overused term) and an overhaul. One is like a tune-up; and the other is a complete rebuild with new parts.
When I sent my Wetlar M6 to Sherry it was overhauled and I was charged for new parts that were replaced, not to be confused with the MP finder upgrade. Effectively I have a new camera, not one that was just tuned up.
Paying a large premium is a choice that is based on how long I expect to keep a camera and how commited I am about shooting it a lot and having reiability. To some people a CLA is just fine, but I tend to keep what I buy and not flip grear because over the long run (decades) it actually is cheaper.
I have no buyer's remorse. BTW I paid only $1300.00 and felt I got a really great deal on a clean M3-DS, and the sales staff adjusted the price downward without me asking.
Cal
slowbicycle
Established
i think we agreed that the price was pretty decent when we first beheld Cal's M3, and considered what was effectively a "brand-new" M from the factory compared to the going rate for a new M these days... obviously buying a beater and getting a CLA will be cheaper and perfectly acceptable for a user, but for those who want a new camera and can afford those prices, this seems like a good option.
i'm also one of those with an M3 still with the original L seal, vulcanite flaking off, scratched and pitted chrome, and it's still smoother than my mintish M6... so i'm totally with you John.
however, this camera's viewfinder was super clean, so probably had the resilvering done too.
andredossantos
Well-known
I agree, I would take my chances with a cheap, user M3 as well. However, not knowing anyone who's had a VF go bad is anecdotal evidence and really doesn't tell you anything about the true odds of it happening over the long run. Further, if you're buying and selling, cycling through cameras often, then you probably won't ever come across it personally. That being said, it can happen and it is my understanding that as time goes by it becomes more likely to happen. Paying for a re-silvered VF is a decent hedge IF one plans on keeping the camera forever. Like I said, I wouldn't spring for one but I understand why someone would pay a premium in that instance.
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slowbicycle
Established
damn Cal, seems you definitely got a better deal as yours seemed in better cosmetic shape!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I've seen some M3's with dim VF'ers. Sometimes cleaning restores them.
Lutton in England is the only place I know of that resilvers prisms.
I think Jeff has a slight VF'er issue with his beloved M3. Yes it still works, but is it like a new camera? Will it last another 50 years? I'm thinking my M3-DS has a very high probability of still working 47 years from now when I'm a hundred.
Hopefully Kodak continues to make Tri-X and Fuji continues to make Arcos. LOL.
Also John you just spent a lot of money when you bought a new M9, that's something I will never do because I tend to buy all used gear.
Cal
I forgot the pair of Nickel Heliars I bought new.
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Maybe I need to take a closer look at Cals to see what the VF looks like. Perhaps someone can bring in an old one to compare brightness etc.
Like new means nothing to me unless it is a new product. However, if you've been jizzing over a great example of the M3, I understand. I just think paranoia about Leicas going bad is overblown. Sure, they will only get older... so in the future this may be more of an issue. That said, even new cameras can go bad.
As for the M9... yes, it was an extravagent purchase for me. However, if you were no longer into film, wanted a mechanical rangefinder, and a full frame...you'd buy one too. Additionally, used M9s, at the time I bought mine were only a few hundred less than new.
bobkonos
Well-known
Sorry I wiil miiss this: travelling to NYC/Brooklyn from Sacramento and will be in Manhattan Sep 21-23 then Brooklyn Sep 24-29 (will be heading into Manhattan that week-be neat to meet some of you then). I plan, as always to go to ICP. Sorry I will miss the Sumo photography exhibit on now at HALF Gallery.
Sure, it is anecdotal, but we all know issues get overblown on the internet (real or myth). Since, I rarely even see anyone speak of their M3 VF going bad, it does make you feel better about buying a user.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Cristian's VF'er looks really good. It cleaned up nicely when it was CLA'ed, and his film advance is remarkably smooth with almost no friction. No doubt that any M3 is a work horse.
I think Jeff's M3 has some seperation happening that seems to be presently stable.
Cal
I've seen jeff's and it isn't bad at all... completely usable. Ok, I'll stop nitpicking here. We all spend our cash differently, so...