Quandary ... (M3 repair)

[Jerevan]

A few days ago I took delivery of an M3. I have always wanted to see how this fabled beast worked, since there is so much love for it on the internets.

It is a single stroke M3 in a sort-of-good condition ... the selftimer works effortlessly and the 1 second speed sounds good (with the clockwork spinning). Some dings and scratches and small pieces of vulcanite missing here and there.

The frames show up, contrast seems okay in the rangefinder, which works down to 0.7 meters.

Now for the bad stuff ... there is some balsam separation going on when looking at it from the front. It's not a dealbreaker, but if I am going to send it in, it does not make sense not to do something about it.

Another less than good thing to me is that I have trouble seeing the 50 frame with my glasses on. Retrofitting another 0.72 finder is maybe a stupid idea?

So, while I love the feel of the camera, I am torn as to whether I should repair it or just cut the losses and sell it as a spare parts camera?

 

[nobbylon]

how do you know its seperation? pic?

 

[Jerevan]

Of course I am not a repair man, but it is a yellowish creasing around the perimeter of what I think is a part of the prism. When looking through from the back you can't see anything amiss.

 

[leicapixie]

It depends on cost of camera body and possible repair.
If it is separation starting, go another road.
It sure looks like that!
My favorite camera and M, is the M3.
I have decided not to do a needed service, with the serious risk,
of viewfinder possibly going black, with an impact damage.
The M3 is old.

 

[maddoc]

You need to point the VF against a bright light source and look through the small RF window (the left one when looking at the camera front side). If you see black spots or areas there then the semi-transparent layer on the prism has started to deteriorate or balsam separation has started.

 

[drewbarb]

The finder in one of my M3's looks very like yours from the front- showing what seems to be the beginning of separation- but it has remained unchanged through he last 18 years of nearly daily use. It looks and functions fine through the eyepiece. I know it could separate and go black at any time- but it hasn't; and if it ever should, I will send it to one of the few folks who offer recementing service for them.

As for changing out the finder for a .72, wouldn't it simply be easier and cheaper to swap your M3 for an M2? You'll still get the build quality and feel of the older, classic Leitz camera, and the .72 finder that will probably work better for you without having to incur the incredible expense of swapping out the finder. You could probably sell your M3 and buy an M2 for the same or even less money- or even find a trade without any money changing hands.

I will also admit to being such a devotee of the M3 and it's beautiful finder that I am troubled by the idea of seeing one destroyed. The gorgeous high magnification and flare free .92 finder of the M3 are what sets this camera apart from (and in my not-so-humble opinion, above) all other Leicas-however, if it doesn't work for your eyes, that is the final word, and the .72 might work better for you. But my religious feelings about the M3 are irrelevant; the financial reality should make swapping your M3 for an M2 (or even an M4...) a better choice than changing the finder. Anyway; I wish you well in finding the right solution for you.

 

[Jerevan]

You need to point the VF against a bright light source and look through the small RF window (the left one when looking at the camera front side). If you see black spots or areas there then the semi-transparent layer on the prism has started to deteriorate or balsam separation has started.

Thanks, I looked at this now, and I see no black spots or anything, it looks fine.

 

[Jerevan]

In total, maybe it is just easier to sell it off.

I am reluctant to change out the whole finder for a 0.72 (that would mean finding another spare part camera, etc) and as it is I am not going to use the camera since I can't see the 50 frames.

 

[Fixcinater]

Are you holding it up directly to your glasses frames? If not, could you with a small o-ring of felt or rubber over the viewfinder window to prevent eye glass scratching?

I wear glasses (plastic and metal frame both) and have no trouble seeing the 50 framelines.

If I did, I'd swap it for another M model.

 

[Jerevan]

Yep, I am holding it up directly to my glasses and I still can't see the frames fully, without moving my eyes around.

So off it goes!

 

[Timmyjoe]

I think one of the biggest selling features to the M3 is the 0.93 viewfinder, so I would definitely not alter that. If you like everything about the M3, but would like the 0.72 finder, you might want to look at an M2. Had both for a while, and found them very similar, save the finder.

 

[Jerevan]

Yes, the M2 is a sweet thing ... we'll see whatever turns up in the future.

Like someone said somewhere "experience is the greatest teacher" - now I know a bit more, firsthand. 🙂