how can i fix the m3 rangefinder? there is not much contrast for focusing. do parts need to be replaced or does it just need cleaning?

-- Allison Reese (a_b_reese3@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002

Answers

from my own experience,my M3 at the time about 30 yrs old,used on daily basis,had same problem.It required major service,the mirror-prism thing replaced,new masks and new shutter,newe blinds,rollers and cams etc.The price was astonishing and almost cost of a used relacement(but poss. needing same treatment).Get a few estimates but it will be worthwhile,esp if you use the 50mm as standard.I find the M3 more akin to my thinking and usage,but slowly getting used to the M6.If you look at your rangefinder spot only,you will see discoloration.This is reason i've offered advice to "newbies" to consider a new Leica!My M2 hardly used,its the back-up does'nt have same rangefinder system and seems fine.However the M6 occassionally "flares" and focus very difficult.Normal for later M-bodies.

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.

but will leica have the old parts, because current rangefinders are designed diff. the M3 was last built in 1966.

my camera doesn't have the problems you describe. the rangefinder is dim.

"...does it just need a cleaning?"

-- Allison Reese (a_b_reese3@hotmail.com), April 02, 2002.

Allison, would you not get the answer you are seeking by calling Leica? They can tell you if the parts are available, nobody on this list can.

-- Steve LeHuray (steve@icommag.com), April 02, 2002.

Some or all parts for the M3 rangefinder are no longer available and due to the collector market holding up the value there really aren't many parts bodies around to cannibalize. When the prism comes uncemented, Leica's official solution is to replace the entire rangefinder with a later model: parts alone more than $500. That's the bad news. The good news is, if yours was decemented all you would see through the viewfinder is the rangefinder rectangle surrounded by blackness. A *dim* rangefinder image can be the result of a faded mirror (common with post-war screwmounts but uncommon with prewar screwmounts and M's)or just fog on the components. And the answer to your question: sometimes it can be cleaned. Your best bet is to send the camera to Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg and get an estimate. Worst-case, you're out the cost of shipping if it's too high. Making that call will be a matter of your personal finances as well as the resale value of the camera, which depends a lot on the cosmetic condition it's in. Hope this helps.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 02, 2002.

Don Goldberg (DAG) repaired a decemented prism on my M3 for $250. Mine had been clear and functioning well until it came apart, but it may be a bit brighter now (and it works perfectly). Cleaning the rangefinder certainly shouldn't cost any more than that.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), April 02, 2002.

a dim but functional rf probably just needs a cleaning. you can send it to dag or sherry -- two favorites here -- but there are hundreds of local repairers equally capable of carrying out this simple task for far less money and in far less time. in the boston area, APC camera repair does excellent work on leicas. the leica specialists obviously have their place for when major repairs/conversions/parts replacement is required. but you don't have to fly to the mayo clinic every time you need a physical.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), April 02, 2002.

Allison: I have a pair of M3's. On both bodies, the rangefinders were off. I sent them off individually to Leica N.J. for a CLA. I was charged about $500.00 each. On one of them I had the flash sync sockets changed to the modern style. On both bodies, the rangefinders were cleaned not replaced and they work very well. Both are brighter than the one on my M6. I would second sending the body off for an opinion, and the ones referenced have good reputations. I have not used either. I have used others referenced on this BB and not been as happy with them. Often times, items are coated with a film from the environment that it comes from. If your body belonged to a smoker, or was left in an industrial environment, the internal glass and mirrors could have collected a film. A proper CLA would probably improve the situation. Leica N.J. insisted on converting both of my 3's to single stroke. Good/bad. You might look at your lenses with a flashlight and see if you see any fogging in them. This would not affect the viewfinder, but could change the contrast in your pictures. I had a couple of my older lenses cleaned and it helped them quite a bit.

Good luck and enjoy your equipment.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), April 02, 2002.

Allison - I had an M4-2 with a fairly dim, low-contrast finder - getting it cleaned improved things a great deal. In my case as part of a CLA (clean/lubricate/adjust) it cost $175 through The Focal Plane in Louisville, Colorado - but any of the repair specialists mentioned above can do the same thing for roughly the same money.

But they will need to examine your camera specifically hands-on to tell you whether cleaning is all it will need, or if parts will be needed as well.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), April 03, 2002.