I own two M3 models; 786,xxx (1955) and 1,058,xxx (1962), I´ve been fixing them to focus closer than normal (1 meter), thanks to some posting here, I have made my 786,xxx M3 focus to the end of the focusing barrel in a new 50/2 (something like 68 or 69 cm.), but on the later model (1,058,xxx), I can do it only to 78 cm. or so, not down to the end of the barrel, altough the focusing arm follows the lens cam all the way,(I saw it by looking through the back door with the shutter opened in B), but the mirrows in the finder stop few centimeters after 80. cm. I though the latter M3 model will make things easier, does any one know what diference these two M3 versions have in their finders?

-- R. Watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), March 13, 2001

Answers

Leica technician Sherry Krauter told me that she can not make all the M3's focus the full way in to.7 meters or so. She wasn't specific as to later, earlier, etc, but told me all the M3's can be "tricked" into focusing closer than 1 meter by the technique talked about a few months ago here. But she said some of the cameras won't be able to couple down to the full minimum distance. Looks like you found one like she was talking about. Mine was also an older 2 stroke that I modified and it now will focus the current style 50 all the way to minimum. I also checked the accuracy, and the lens and double image are in sync with the film plane.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), March 13, 2001.