Advice on M3

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Hello all,

I am looking for a second body next to my M6. Someone offered me a Leica M3 with 50 ´cron and 90 elmarit. Serial of the body is 10079xx , the 50 con 23396xx and the 90 elmarit 21298xx. The 90 elmarit is chrome but according to the seller it has a black string of about 1 cm (1/2 inch). The 50 cron is black. He claims that it is all near mint and it comes with two leather Leica bags. Can anyone tell me how much the approximate value of this setup is second hand?

Thank you for your attention!

-- Eric Kragtwijk (e.kragtwijk@hccnet.nl), April 22, 2002

Answers

Of course you need to do your own due diligence on any used purchase. I think a used M3 in good shape would sell for from $700 to $1100. The 50 cron 1s the #11817 1969-1979 vers I think and should sell for approx. $300-$500 depending on condition, external and glass - shine a light thru it to look for usual suspects, separation, fungus, fogging. Approximately same for elmarit which is older lens but will take great pics if in good shape. Prices can be researched on previous sales on ebay for a good starting point. If you just need a good backup body I would look at a new or used M6 or TTL with the viewfinder that meets your requirements. Prices are good right now with the release of the M7, much newer camera with meter and less mileage than any M3, unless of course you specially want those lenses that come with the M3 in question. Good luck!

-- Gil Pruitt (wgpinc@yahoo.com), April 22, 2002.

Thanks Gil. Actually, I already have a 50 cron and a 90 elmarit (both latest version), so that makes this offer less interesting. Interesting enough was the price I think: 1400 euro or app. US$ 1200 for the complete set in near mint condition, plus the leather bags. I will let this soak in for awhile...any further comment is appreciated!

-- Eric Kragtwijk (e.kragtwijk@hccnet.nl), April 22, 2002.

M3s still have the best viewfinder for use with 50mm or longer lenses, IMHO (I use one myself.) However, film loading is fussier, there is no meter, and they require $$$ modification to work with a motor or Rapidwinder.

M3s incorporated a number of modifications over the years. If you intend it as a shooter, you want a later model with single stroke film advance and a frame selector lever. (I'm sure someone else on the forum can tell you how this one is configured based on the serial number.) It's also possible to obtain various doo dads to speed up film rewind and loading.

More info at Stephen Gandy's site here: http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

-- Gary Voth (gary@vothphoto.com), April 22, 2002.


I just got my M3 back from Sherry. My old Dad recently gave me his M3 - a DS 805XXX - self timer, frame lines for 50, 90 135 and "new" shutter speeds. Sherry did an absolutely wonderful CLA on the camera and Rigid Summicron 50. The lens performance is spectacular. She repaired the Vulcanite patches that were chipping off. In discussions with Sherry, she said that the brake mechanism for the shutter was a problem with M3s on occaision (my shutter needed a CLA, but the brake was fine. She said that she has only a few M3 brake assemblies left to repair this problem. I suggest that you call Sherry before you buy so she can tell you what to look for in a good M3. You should expect to do a CLA on the M3 that you purchase unless one was recently done by the seller.

I agree with Larry that the M3 finder is the best Leica finder for 50mm lenses and longer. I find that the 50mm lens is my all time favorite (Two 'crons a 2nd and 4th generation). The M3 with my 90mm Tele-Elmarit (Skinny) is fabulous. I now have a 135 Elmar also gifted by my Dad. The M3 is the only M that handles a 135 well. The shutter is sweeter than my M6. I plan to use the M3 as much as my M6. Even though I find the M6 meter to be great.

-- Doug Landrum (dflandrum@earthlink.net), April 22, 2002.


If you already have a 50 and a 90, sell both lenses and keep the body. Since the offering price is $1200, the camera could end up only costing around $400 or less depending on the condition of the 2 lenses. Even if a CLA was needed, anything under $500 for a clean M3 is a bargain.

My M3's now serve as a backup to my M6 TTL for work. Otherwise I believe the M3 is the best camera Leica ever made. The M2 comes in a close 2nd.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), April 22, 2002.



It is often said that a M3 with a serial number of over a million is the peak of Leica M manufacture. It is single stroke and has the frame selection lever 50, 90, 135. It has a magnification of .90 (or somewhere around there. It seems like it would be a great camera for that price.

-- Chad Hahn (thehahns@cornhusker.net), April 23, 2002.

Thank you all for your input.

I'll probably accept the offer if the set is in near mint condition as stated by the seller. So don't be surprised when I offer two lenses for sale shortly..:-)

-- Eric Kragtwijk (e.kragtwijk@hccnet.nl), April 23, 2002.


FWIW have used M3 since '67.Here is a camera from the last century, that is positive about the 50mm or normal lens.No wide angle distortions.A moment of caution.Some of these boxes have gone thru lots of film...my numbers are about 4000rolls.i reqd new shutter,not only blinds,viewfinder masks and that mirror-prism for rangefinder. At Leica.A staggering repair bill.Less than a new M6 by far! I prefer "feel" of M3 but begin to really enjoy the M6....the meter. I have the old selenium meter on my M3,it works way better than the cds-meter i first had,though more limited in poor light. Buy!The old lenses give results very different from modern lenses-they are sharp but different.You need to expose fim particularly in "available-Light" situations.My old 50mm Collapsible Summicron can flare badly.The results though worth the risks..

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), April 24, 2002.

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