Two Leica Questions...

[jdos2]

I've a possibility to buy an M3 for $650 or thereabouts. Comes with a collapsable Summicron 50mm.

Sounds fun. The only other Leica I've ever owned was a IIIg, and the collapsable lens for it had horrible coating damage that I didn't want to fix.

Is the Summicron similar? Is the coating on it soft? I've heard rumor that it is, and easily damaged, but too I've heard that at some time the coatings were improved.

Is $650 a decent price for camera and lens, so long as the lens is not terribly "cleaned" and the camera rangefinder reasonably bright?

It's a doublestroke. Some of the vulcanite is chipped.

 

[former member]

$650 is a great price, even if the Camera and lens needs a CLA. Essex in New Jersey will do a CLA on the lens for $70~$80. They CLA'd my Summarit and repaired the badly damaged filter threads for $90. They CLA'd my M3 and Rebuilt the VF/RF for $220. That included a lot of parts; the RF spot was dim and Chipped. It came back like new.
The collapsible Summicron does have a softer coating, like my Summarit. Haze can be cleaned. Coatings can be re-applied, but that was not necessary on my Summarit or Type 1 Rigid Summicron.

At $650, get it. Even "IF" the coating is damaged so badly that it cannot be used; the lens will fetch $100 on EBay by someone willing to have it recoated.

I never have any strong opinions, and even if I did I would never think of expressing them. But, reading between the lines; I think you should grab it unless it is nothing but a pile of incomplete parts in a box.

 

[former member]

Nina giving Nikki a helping hand at the playground last Spring.

My CLA'd M3 with Type 1 Rigid Summicron.

 

[former member]

Oh, I forgot to precede my advice with "as one Senior Member to Another".

Here is a shot with the CLA'd Summarit. The difference before and after CLA was incredible. Shot at F4.

 

[jdos2]

Thanks for the info, Brian. I'll pursue the opportunity!

Nice shots, as always.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

jdos, go for it! What is a little vulcanite missing? As Brian said, I'd hesitate only if it was a lot of mismatched parts. If the camera is working, grab it. Any further repairs will only increase its life.

Regarding the lens coating... I really don't know much. The collapsible Summicron is highly regarded, and even if you find the coating slightly damaged, it's still usable and can be easily repaired.

If I had a bit more money, I'd go for it. It's your turn!

 

[Mike Richards]

It seems that chipped vulcanite or other covering problems are a problem easily remedied. Anyone else have experience with these pre-cut covering replacements? I'm interested myself, for my M2.
http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/preview.htm

 

[former member]

Essex included repair of the Vulcanite in the repair of my M3. They trimmed away some of the broken Vulcanite, giving the break a straight edge, and glued in repair pieces. It is hard to find the repair "patches" without close inspection. It looks original.

 

[taffer]

JD, if I could spend that money I'd go for it.

Some time ago, when talking with a friend about a M2 (that includes 35mm framelines), he mentioned one thing to check was the shape of the mirrors (prisms?) covering on the RF assembly, in order to look for damaged on the delicate mirror surfaces.

OTH, even if that needs work, Brian's feedback on Essex is a great "warranty".

Just remember to let us know if you become a Leica-M-an 😀

Oscar