should i buy this m3 or else?

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rsosa

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Hi there,

First post, new member
I've been playing with the idea of a leica. Here is my issue, not many to choose where I am.
There is this M3 ds I went to see today, seller presented the kit as a familiy jewel, indeed it is!
Boy holding that thing was so cool, I love everything about this camera, but then, the critic eye came to scene. The hektor 135 and summarit 50 have fungus. The 35 looks clean. Body has one tiny spot without vulcanite and tolerable scratches from meter (who invented this for god sake) and some more serious use in bottom plate. Ok I said to me, not bad an have a source for lenses. Then checked curtains (seems ok to my naked eye) and viewfinder seems clear.
Shutter speeds: selected 1s and it did never stopped, oh crap I thought, I broke it and seller was just there not having much idea more than the brand name. Then it stopped (not sure if shaking helped) and quicker speeds at least seem to work.
Self timer is loose and don't work (or couldnt find the way)

Seems to focus ok
Opened to see film plate: clean
Film door has bubbles in black paint (underneath corrosion)

I'm brave and patience enough to try a pseudo diy CLA. So...
Fungus removing possible? ( I know about the coatings etc, just wondering)
Vulcanite spot restoration?
Scratches polishing (in fact it would be more like recovering nice matte plate finish)??
Important:
Shutter speeds??
Self timer lever??

Oh btw, there are bonuses included: original flash, meter, 4 filters, camera bag and another bigger retro super cool leather bag, manuals, its like a super complete set, with some drawbacks.
The whole lot: 1.150 USD

What do you think? Strange thing is selling people ask for what do I want it... For taking pictures I answer, for what else???
Many thanks in advance,
Rodrigo

Ps: I'm in Uruguay, so that make things harder to get equipment like these
 
If you trip the shutter a few times at each speed, it'll probably loosen up and be close enough to shoot negs with at most speeds. Self timer could be cocked- do you know how to trip it? Even with the fungus, the lenses could shoot fine; they can certainly be cleaned.

If the body is working (it shouldn't need much beyond some excercise) I'd say the price is pretty reasonable.
 
There is a clean CLA'd ss M3 in our classifieds right now for $850 I think. If I was looking I would buy the clean one and use the extra $$$ for 1 nice 50mm lens.
 
Well - I would never buy equipement like that! It sound that camera and lenses need a CLA and it could be that you have to sppend the same amount of money the camera and lenses costs for that. I would buy either a fresh CLAd camera or from a professional seller like KEH who know what they are selling.
 
From your description, the real valuable parts of the deal are an M3 of questionable mechanical condition, a 50mm lens with fungus, a 135 mm lens with fungus and a 35mm. Is the 35m lens a version that has "eyes" (googles) ? Also can you be sure that it is free from haze (checked with a flash-light ?) ? The 50mm Summarit and 135mm Hektor can very well be unrepairable (depending on the amount of fungus and time it had to etch the glass).

So Basically you get that M3 DS + a 35mm lens for 1150. If the 35mm is not an early vs1 Summilux or similar special lens, than I would look for a nice M2 and a Summaron 35/2.8 from a reputable source and be happy ...
 
thanks for the words guys
the 35 mm is a SUMMARON f1.35, no goggles here. The 50 mm summarit has little traces of fungus all around the lens and the Hektor i think is lost.

the camera feels just right and if the price was lower i would totally buy it since i do not have much to choose from and supposedly better bodies cost like U$S 1400 alone (always speaking Uruguay)
but there's the risk that when i seat to repair it, it wont work

I have a source for R lenses which are dirty cheap, I was wondering for an adapter, but not sure if i can retain the rangefinder coupling with them.

cheers

rodrigo
 
Rodrigo, fungus can be cleaned, but before you send the lenses for cleaning, you'd have to store them away and separate from any other photographic gear you have.

Now... where in Uruguay is there humidity enough to cause fungus in a lens? Are you in Montevideo? Just wondering...

To be honest... it's a bit too much money for a goggle-less Summaron (the M3 used a 35mm lens with goggles to compensate for the viewfinder magnification, which was perfect for a 50mm lens, but not for anything wider), a DS M3 and a Summarit 50mm. Can you ask for a price cut that allows for the service all these items need? Say... at least $400 less? Family jewel or not, you're the one who's going to sink money on it, not the seller.

Best of luck! :)
 
Hola vecino,

I think it is too expensive for what it is. Even though those are excellent cameras, they tend to stick to the market price, which I'd say is about USD 600-700 for one in the condition you've described (or maybe less, considering the non working selftimer, the 1s speed maybe off, scratch on the top plate...).

I live in Brazil, and here in São Paulo I sometimes find Leicas in good shape and price in a shop downtown, angelfoto.com.br. I bought an M3 from them that is working perfectly, it has only cosmetic issues (the damn meter top plate scratch, finder could use some cleaning, but it can be used fine as it is).

Another good option could be in Argentina, I have a friend living in Buenos Aires and you can find good deals on M3s, there was a black paint one (not original, of course) being sold for USD600. So I'd recommend that you don't rush on buying something that is not in perfect shape to be used, take your time to find exactly what you need. If you want, PM me for some contacts in Argentina to see if they have any M3s. My M3 will be sold, but it's arriving from an adjustment from the US so I don't know when it should arrive.

Saludos!
 
Personally, fungus gives me the shivers. If it's on the lenses then it's on the filters and more than likely in the body. Gross. It's nasty and spreads to other gear. If it had fungus then it's ugly and ugly is supposed to be cheap. Dirt cheap. Check out KEH for good clean gear. I would offer them way less (than less than) half of what they're asking because of the cleaning service the camera and lens are going to need. I'll bet they will take it. I It might be a family jewel that is best left in "their" family.

Gregory
 
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Guys!!! can not believe how much feedback am I receiving!!!
I will pass on the family "jewel" then, yes, fungus is horrible and nasty, with my canon stuff im always like paranoid when near the shore (salty spray), not to say I baby the thing but really take care of it.

Yes Francisco, im in Montevideo, and most probable the camera was sitting in a dark forgotten place until someone needed more space or something. Who knows...

umcelinho, im going soon to SP, for sure will be around may 25-28 some days before and after that, (probably first days of june), do you have pics from your camera?

on the other hand... i just came from looking an M3 SS with summicron 50mm f2
I can not believe the state of this camera, it is pristine, honestly dont know how that did until now that way, did i said pristine? no fungus on lens or anywhere else, seller doesnt know anything about it (he didnt figured out how to take out the lens) he knows leica stands as a legend and wants money for it. Nobody here seems to like shooting with these cameras, they want to sell them as an antique object and the 2 options i had until now asked several times, are you a collector? are you a reseller?
man!! i just want to take pics with it!! its kind of sad to see such beauties getting dust and anything else, THAT shivers!!!

Im waiting for his reply on my offer, but doubt will accept it, so best bet would be getting from overseas myself or with a friend. (customs are prohibitive, really!)

again, thanks for the feedback.
one thing is for sure, holding 2 cameras so far and now im convinced to get one!

cheers

rodrigo
 
3 lenses+1xM3+ extras= 1150? am i right? i may jump into it. But on second thought, nothing is worse then buying a set of camera and lenses and spend timing trying to fix it. Maybe you can check out the deals on rff instead:) u may get better deal!:)
 
You need patience, Rodrigo. Howsoever good your mechanical skills, it is unlikely that you can fix an M3 and three lenses (the Summaron 35/3.5 is notorious for fog) yourself. For starters, you'll need a variety of tools and a variety of lubricants.
 
I agree about patience, it is needed in these cases.
Regarding units on sale here, i have a problem which is customs. I would need to personal enter the camera myself, a friend... or, a kind rff member paying a visit to Uruguay or even Buenos Aires (i can take a day round ferry to there!)
who knows...
i went launching today with my gf, and wish i had this discrete shy camera to take some pics of the people around, the light was perfect

cheers

Rodrigo
 
im starting to consider this is the place to go about leicas, at least i have members feedback, reputation and advice. $2400 for an M3 with summicron isnt fair I think (for that money i would take a nice newer combo)
 
considering a nokton 50 1.1 for sale here and a local M3
M3 is supposed to be pristine (need to check first mechanism) and seller asking for U$S 1400 with late >1: serial number
considering i have taxes and shipping and can check the camera myself, what do you think?
for how much a clean minty (no scratches or anything) late serial M3 goes about in real world?
not that scratches hurt but, you know... as this is the only leica classical body i plan to buy, its like a plus

living in the wrong side of the world hurts big time :(

cheers
rodrigo
 
Show me an M3 without any type of scratches and I'll bet it's been in a museum most of its life.

Don't agonize over those. My meterless Leicas ain't shelf queens! :) They both have their share of little marks... but keep in mind that these scratches add character to the camera. :) Who cares about a pristine Leica? They're tools for the man of action, they're bound to get besmirched! ;) If the price is right, go for one with scratches.
 
Yeah I know, didnt meant to be like taken out of the box, but having the vulcanite in place, and not major scratches helps. In the end, the camera will take my scratches, its an instrument not an exhibition thingy
 
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