Wild guess: finder separation ?! M3 '59

[icebear]

Hi folks,

I just received a M3, my first - and my wife didn't kill me 😀.
But here the thing : I guess this is a perfect example of the much talked about finder separation (pic 1-3). Looking through the finder for focusing the separation is not visible.
Other than that the body seems to be in pretty good condition . No major dings, some scratches, vulcanite ok. Taking lens off is quite tight though. I haven't put a film through it yet to test the shutter but "sounds fine" at all speeds. I'm about to swallow the finder condition and use it at long as it doesn't get any worse. i.e. to the point of affecting the focusing. Price was $595 but description over the phone did NOT mention this finder issue.
What's your take, a keeper or a problem ?

 

[Livesteamer]

It looks like separation. I think the company you need is called CRR Luton in England. They do rangefinder restorations. I think their address is www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page10.html Joe

 

[icebear]

Hello Joe,

thanks for the reply and the link. I heard about Luton already. I just wanted to get some opinions on this special case. It looks quite bad but doesn't affect the focusing as I mentioned, you don't see it when you have the camera in front of your eye. So is this separation getting worse quickly or will it stay at this stage for quite a while?

Any M3 owner with a similar experience ? 🙁 Thanks for feedback...

 

[Keith]

I have to admit I could not sell someone a camera with such a visible condition and not mention it ... it takes all types though I guess!

I'd just keep using it and hope that the deterioration is gradual enough that you'll get plenty of use before it becomes a real issue. Rebuilding these things by the afore said company is not a cheap exercise ... I priced it a while ago decided to give it a miss. With freight from and back to Oz it was going to cost me over $400.00 and expected delay was going to be close to three months!

Good luck with it ... they're a lovely camera!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Well... you're near NYC, so you have one expert to consult: Sherry Krauter. You can contact her or send the camera to her for an opinion. Since she's in NY, it may be easier for you. I don't think she'd work on it, but she'll tell you what you may do.

You can also send it to Don Goldberg (aka DAG) for an assessment. The thing is that unlike Sherry, Don is in WI, and he usually takes his time when it comes to repairs. For estimates, he's fairly quick. Then, you must give him time. He'll take forever (up to four months) but he's certainly the best when it comes to desperate cases.

Either way, the repair ain't cheap. Depending on how much you paid for the camera, consider whether to send it back, or have it repaired. I paid $495 originally for my beat up M3, and repairing it to bring it back to life costed me around $250. Some people would say that paying half the original price in repairs may be a silly proposition, but, to tell you the truth, I was willing to go up to $300. More than that... and I would have sold the camera for parts.

Again, if it's at all possible for you to send it back, do so. Otherwise, you'll pay a bit for the repair. If you choose the latter option, you'll wind up with a camera for your grandchildren, so there's that to consider as well.

Take care and congratulations on your entry to the Leica world. It may not seem to auspicious, but it's some experience nonetheless. Take care! 🙂

PS. Click HERE for Sherry's website, and HERE for Don's. Again, good luck and welcome to Leica and its weird, loopy traditions! 🙂

 

[icebear]

Thanks for the feedback,
I bought from s.o. well known in the NY area, with warranty, so it should not turn out to be a problem to sent it back and get a refund but I was quite surprised yesterday when I opened the package and saw the finder condition at first glance. As mentioned I paid $595. And it's my first M3, not first M at all 😎.
I put a slide film in to check for the shutter speeds and I think I'll wait for the result of this test before I make a decision.
I'll check with Don if he's taking care of such a case. I had a lens serviced by Sherry once and it looked like new when it came back from CLA.
When focusing the M3 I noticed quite a movement of the frame within the VF when changing from close up to infinity. I assume this is the parallax correction - I never noticed it in my M6/MP...

 

[sanmich]

I bought an M3 a while ago, and it had a VF problem.
I had to send it to Luton.
Peter is wonderful but not cheap. It completely changes the price of your purchase.
Long story short: send it back fast!
I would buy from KEH or other trustable sources (maybe Youxin has one?)

 

[icebear]

I was trying to find a contact address for Youxin but after a search here I guess Don will be first in line to contact. I'll check how much it might cost - and how long it will take ....

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Holly $h*t!!!

I have seen a number of M viewfinders, but never one as badly damaged as this. This is a very expensive repair. I would agree wholeheartedly with those who said to send it back as quickly as possible!

If you used a credit card (and the seller refuses), return it to sender and have it charged back.

IMHO, you shouldn't let any grass grow under your feet on this one.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I would ad that it is completely indefensible the seller didn't mention the RF separation/damage. Your seeming passivity is precisely what he had hoped for.

Once again, don’t let the seller get away with it - send it back for a full refund. There are nice users out there for the price you paid.

 

[icebear]

I contacted the seller today and he offered a full refund right away but claims he didn't recognize the separation ...😉. A lot of chutzpah for an official Leica dealer ... I got a reply from Don already and he believes that he can fix it (for a reasonable price).
I'm waiting to get an E6 test back, if the shutter speeds are ok, I'll bite the repair.

 

[Stu W]

Icebear, All M3 finders will eventually need repair. After Don is finished regluing it with UV cement instead of balsam the fix is permanant. I still would look for some consideration from the seller however. Stu

 

[icebear]

Hi Stu,
yes, that's basically also my thinking. Of course I don't like the seller's "not telling the full truth" to put it mildly.... but other than the separation the body is in good shape. So to have Don reworking the finder would turn this into a nice M3.
All Ex / Ex+ M3's for about $800+ will sooner or later have the same issue. So eating the repair will give me the same cost but with a "new" finder. Other than the separation issue the finder looks almost as bright as on my M6/MP. So I hope the rest of the RF system is pretty ok.