Should I be concerned

[Bill Blackwell]

I can live that! I will still reach out to the seller about condition vs description. I just keep reading how fungus is very bad and was concerned that this could spread to my other bodies/lenses. Not sure how much of the "fungus spread" is real vs hype, but I'd rather not tangle with it if I don't have to. Everything else about the body, mechanically and cosmetically is in really great shape and as mentioned, when looking through the VF it does not distract me.

My advice: If you keep the camera, have it cleaned.

 

[shawn]

Just another vote of either send it back or send it to a specialist to get checked out.

Last year I bought a M3 from a store offering a warranty that also said it was fully checked out and operational. Winding it felt like it took more effort than it should so I brought the camera to Youxin Ye as I assumed the shutter tension was a little high. Figured a CLA would be good as the viewfinder was a little hazy too. Before starting Youxin inspected the camera and pointed out that the mirror was oxidizing in the view finder and he showed me how to look for that as you have to sort of look at an angle from an angled light source. Looking straight through you couldn't see it.

Youxin recommended returning the camera, which I did.

Last week I tried again for a M3. I dropped it off to Youxin on Monday to have him check it out. Good peace of mind that if anything major is wrong it will go back, and if not that it is all dialed in and working the way it should. This was took less force to wind than the first one and was very smooth for the first 2/3 of the throw. The last 1/3 though felt a little off so I'm glad Youxin is checking it out.

Shawn

 

[Godfrey]

I looked at your photos. Regardless of what the seller said, the viewfinder needs a cleaning. I'd have it done.

(I bought my present M4-2 in 2011 from KEH. It was listed in "Bargain" shape and turned out to be spotless other than that the viewfinder was dirty, needed collimation, lubrication, and adjustment. I had that done by my local technician, cost me $120, and the viewfinder was returned spotless, the focusing smooth and perfect. (He identified that the shutter could also use a CLA service as it runs unevenly at 1/500 and 1/1000 sec, but it's only off by about a third to a half a stop, not enough to worry about yet.))

These are old cameras and old cameras almost always need some maintenance. Unless the purchase price was way over the top, just have it taken care of and enjoy using it. 🙂

G

 

[kshapero]

Any camera 30 years or older must be assumed to need a CLA unless the seller can provide an invoice within the last six months that it has already been performed.

 

[shawn]

Last week I tried again for a M3. I dropped it off to Youxin on Monday to have him check it out. Good peace of mind that if anything major is wrong it will go back, and if not that it is all dialed in and working the way it should. This was took less force to wind than the first one and was very smooth for the first 2/3 of the throw. The last 1/3 though felt a little off so I'm glad Youxin is checking it out.

Shawn

Just as a followup to this... I just picked the M3 up from Youxin.

"I have your camera done.
Leica M3 - This is a very nice camera. CLA'd, cleaned and lubricated mechanical parts, adjusted shutter speeds and brake, shutter works well at all speeds now. Recovered back door. The flash bracket broke, I have it replaced to a good one. Cleaned finder and adjusted focus. The finder is clean and clear now. Tested the camera with a blank roll film made sure film winding and rewinding are all good.
The camera winding, when pass the middle run, has slight grinding feel, I studied all parts, found out this comes from the shutter brake. The shutter brake parts have to keep try in order to function, over decades, the brake material makes some grinding caused this. It is quite subtle now, just let you know. We cannot put lubricant into brake parts, otherwise brake will not work.
Below is the total due:
Leica M3 CLA $180.00
Recover back door $10.00
Replace broken flash bracket $40.00
Total $230.00"


The wind is much smoother than it was. I am also very pleased with the viewfinder, I thought it was pretty clean before (and about what I'd expect for a 55 year old camera) but now it is as clear as my M240! When talking with Youxin he also mentioned that the camera was 'low milegage' and it looks like it hadn't been CLA'd in 25 or 30 years based on the lubricants.

Shawn

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Any camera 30 years or older must be assumed to need a CLA unless the seller can provide an invoice within the last six months that it has already been performed.

Shawn. That's good news. I'm a firm believer that a Leica M (or Rolleiflex) deserves a thorough CLA every 50 years, whether necessary or not!