Hi I have just a spend a fortune($2000) for an M3 through internet purchase. The body was advertised as nearly mint. After I received the camera, I found out that it was not what I was expected to be, foggy view finder with fungus formation. The focusing was inaccurate. There were many scratches on rails(?) where film traverse. After informing the seller, he said I can either return it or send it back and he will have it overhauled by leica with no cost. The question is, should I return it or have it overhauled and keep it? I know this is not an easy question to answer, but please try your best to help me because I really can't decide what to do.

William Y

-- William Yu (fallot@ms2.hinet.net), December 15, 2001

Answers

William, RETURN IT! For $2000, you can easily get another M3 mint. And I wouldn't deal with that guy ever.

-- Joel (joel_low@pacific.ne.sg), December 15, 2001.

I would never, ever buy something sight unseen unless it was from someone like Don Chatterton or Jim Kuehl.

A $2,000 M3 should have the original packaging and be mint or close to it.

You were ripped off.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), December 15, 2001.

Wiliam -

It sounded like you were getting the M3 with user condition rather than mint condition. A M3 user should cost around $700 - $800. I would return the camera if I were you.

-- Cing-Dao Kan (cdkan@yahoo.com), December 15, 2001.

There is also a good possibility that they will not be able to make the finder as good as new. Send it back.

Having said that, if you are looking for a camera to use, always budget in a CLA. I would not trust an almost fifty year old camera with my negs. Collecting is another matter of course.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), December 15, 2001.

That's the hardest thing about M3 ownership--finding the right camera. I'd agree to get your money back. In order to minmimize these situations where a "less than described "shows up, I find I need to ask a list of very specific questions to all sellers, not just the ones on the internet, that include "is the finder super clean or does does it have a light haze", and "does the rangefinder coincide perfectly at infinity on a distant object", and "are all functions of the camera smooth in operation, such as shutter release, winding, focus (if applicable) etc. Most sellers get fixated on the external cosmetics of classic cameras, and do not look carfully enough at things like the finder being foggy. If you ask them directly, they will usually admit the flaw. At least your seller was open to resolving the problem.

You be better off finding something in great shape but not "mint" in the $1000 range, and than spend $200 or so to have it really gone through and cleaned up and set to spec by an M specialist.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), December 15, 2001.

$2000 is a collector mint/near-mint sample. Such as you describe is a $700-900 camera. Add $275 (at most) for a CLA and you're still far short of $2000. Be *very thankful* that a seller who misrepresents something that much, is willing to give you a refund. Take it and run like the wind.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 15, 2001.

I'm a fine one to talk, having bought one sight unseen, but I suggest: return it, get your money back, and have a good look around for one in excellent condition. Try a reputable dealer -- even if the price is a tad higher.

-- David Killick (Dalex@inet.net.nz), December 17, 2001.

Return it!!! Sounds like this seller tried to rip you off.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), December 17, 2001.

William, I wouldn't pesume to tell someone what they should do. If it was me though I would strongly consider a brand new Hi-Mag .85 M6TTL for about $1800 brand new with Leica Rebate until 12/31. It would give you a new Leica with an almost equivalent (to the M3) viewfinder, a meter and TTL. How could you go wrong? Good Luck.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), December 17, 2001.

William: I would definitely return the camera since you paid a lot of money for something that did not meet your expectations nor did it fit the description provided to you by the seller. I never purchase anything unseen. Too many "variables" and quite problematic to try to get a refund. Best of luck.

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), December 19, 2001.