Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
In a weak moment last October, I bought a beater DS M3, with my eyes open, for $280. The shutter functioned just fine, even the slow speeds, but the rangefinder patch was barely visible. When I bought the camera, I recognized that a CLA would, in all likeliehood, be needed, so in November, the camera went off to DAG.
This seems to have been Don's really lengthy backlog period. I finally received the camera from Don in early July (Don apologized). My ugly duckling has become a swan. From a barely visible rangefinder patch, the M3 rangefinder appearance is close to that of my M6, that is to say, perfectly useable in light so dim that hand-holding the camera is problematic. My patience has been rewarded here. Don also replaced a missing RF/VF bezel and the rear door leather.
DAG, in my experience with this camera and others, will delve further into an M3 than Sherry Krauter or Youxin Ye. Both of the other people are fine technicians, but DAG, IMHO, is the place to go with a dim M3 rangefinder.
The M3 has now become my "take everywhere, anywhere" Leica and is going as my backup camera when I meet my new granddaughter tomorrow in Denver.
I'm using a Hexanon 50mm/f2 on this camera. I'm an old curmudgeon and back a few years, new Hexanons could be had for $200, new, from some NY dealers. I dealt, and acquired some. Having run some tests on focus targets, I remain quite pleased with the Hexanon lens performance. The contrast and resolution of the Hexanon rivals the 50mm Summicron. Not a Summicron clone, the Hexanon has its own pleasing look. The M3 and the Hexanon fit neatly into a Tenba belt pouch which is how I carry it, "hands off", most of the time.
Sometimes things go your way.
Good light everyone-
---Graybeard
This seems to have been Don's really lengthy backlog period. I finally received the camera from Don in early July (Don apologized). My ugly duckling has become a swan. From a barely visible rangefinder patch, the M3 rangefinder appearance is close to that of my M6, that is to say, perfectly useable in light so dim that hand-holding the camera is problematic. My patience has been rewarded here. Don also replaced a missing RF/VF bezel and the rear door leather.
DAG, in my experience with this camera and others, will delve further into an M3 than Sherry Krauter or Youxin Ye. Both of the other people are fine technicians, but DAG, IMHO, is the place to go with a dim M3 rangefinder.
The M3 has now become my "take everywhere, anywhere" Leica and is going as my backup camera when I meet my new granddaughter tomorrow in Denver.
I'm using a Hexanon 50mm/f2 on this camera. I'm an old curmudgeon and back a few years, new Hexanons could be had for $200, new, from some NY dealers. I dealt, and acquired some. Having run some tests on focus targets, I remain quite pleased with the Hexanon lens performance. The contrast and resolution of the Hexanon rivals the 50mm Summicron. Not a Summicron clone, the Hexanon has its own pleasing look. The M3 and the Hexanon fit neatly into a Tenba belt pouch which is how I carry it, "hands off", most of the time.
Sometimes things go your way.
Good light everyone-
---Graybeard
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MikeL
Go Fish
Thanks for sharing Graybeard, good to know the M3 finder can be revived. Any word of what was needed to brighten it up?
Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
Evidently the RF was very dirty and the repair was a thorough cleaning.
Several years ago DAG worked the same magic for me on a different DS M3 that Sherry had done her best on, but with modest improvement.
kipkeston
Well-known
DAG is the only one I trust but the wait is killer. I wonder how many cameras and lenses he has in queue for service at any one time.
