I have a double strock M3 that want to overhaul, I have read of the unavailability of double strock mecanisms, and donīt know how much life is left in itīs gears, I donīt know if I want to change it; can they put a tulip in it for fast loading? what else can they do?; do you recomend me someone to do it?; my intentions are to send it to Mrs. Krauter, she did a fine job on one of my M4P. I want this M3 to be used for long.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002

Answers

Shall read stroke no strock, but belive me I have treat it like that.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

There are no double stroke clutches available, and the single stroke converstion is going to cost you about $300 (apart from whatever else the camera needs). If you had the 'tulip' put in with the M4-2 drive system, you could just put a motor on and never have to worry about double stroking again. I don't know if Sherry does this, but DAG does a lot of modifications of this kind. Probably costs you about the same as the single stroke conversion (aside from the price of the motor). Wouldn't it be nice to have a motorized M3? Hope this helps...

-- Carlin (carlinm@abac.com), February 20, 2002.

If you are going to install the winder/motor coupling in an older camera make sure you update the winding mechanism to steel gears. The brass gears will not hold up. As an example, Leica put steel gears in the MP to increase the durability.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 20, 2002.

Dear R--

Instead of having the DS converted to a motor, have it converted to accept the M4-2, p and 6 Abrahamsson Rapidwinder.

I have a question for John. The M2 is also designed for Leicavit as was the MP. Was some sort of modification made for the M2 by Leica? I am currently using the special Abrahamsson Rapidwinder on mine. Or was the MP also designed to use a motor?

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), February 20, 2002.

The normal M2 cameras had brass winding gears. I was just pointing out that when Leica anticipated a camera would see heavy use, they put in steel gears. Both the motorised M2-M and M4-M had steel gears as well. The M2/RapidWinder combination should be fine.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 20, 2002.

Also both the winder/motor and the RapidWinder (for the M4-2 to M6) require the same mechanism.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 20, 2002.

Thanks John and Good Luck R-. Let us know how things went, R. A lot of us with DS M3's would like to know.

Cheers,

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), February 20, 2002.

One of my M3s is an early-DS that had been converted to SS--the advance is silky smooth. Since it's ratcheted, you can still use it in a manner similar to a DS if you like (two shorter strokes instead of one long one).

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), February 20, 2002.

If it's going to be open for a CLA anyway, the cost of the conversion is just that of the parts because the actual work takes only a few minutes. Personally I would feel comfortable letting either DAG or Sherry Krauter inspect the gears, see how worn they are, and make the decision for me.........

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), February 20, 2002.

Thanks all for such helpfull sugestions, I'll email Sherry and DAG to know of posibilities on this body. Does any one know DAG mail addrees?

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

DAG Camera Contact Information

    Telephone     608-835-3342     FAX     608-835-3342     Postal address     2128 Vintage Drive   Oregon WI 53575     Electronic mail     dagcam@chorus.net     Office Hours     10AM - 6PM

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 21, 2002.

http://dagcamera.com/

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.

Thanks !

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), February 21, 2002.