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Hi, new poster here!I recently got the chance to buy a Leica M3 Single Stroke body for $511. The body has been recently CLA'd by arguably the best repairman in my country.The thing is, it has its problems. Aside from a few dents and scratches, there's also what I think is separation on the viewfinder (my friend thinks it's de-silvering). When I look through the viewfinder (of course with a lens attached), it is clear and the rangefinder patch is contrasty.Is the camera worth it? Is the black 'separation' thing on the viewfinder repairable? Photos here: https://imgur.com/a/RgdhIF1

so, my first leica ever and I am already messing it up )) I got this M3 produced in 1955. just a few weeks ago and it was doing well not doing much in a leather pouch in someones basement. Started shooting with it and fell in love like a girl. Shortly after pulling the camera out of that leather pouch and carrying it around unprotected the vulcanite started to fall apart... Didn't have time to wait for new skin as I am going to the states in two weeks (i live in Croatia) so I just re skinned it myself... few pics... you can see the cracked vulcanite here... Scraped it down... after that comes the removal of old glue... and the temporary new skin... I used this leather for my girlfriends tobacco pouch so now they match... not really sure why I did that... she won't be using this camera )) I wouldn't do this for someone else, I just needed to fix it in a hurry... a lot of small mistakes but here it is... cheers, S

Hello, I recently acquired two Leica M cameras from an auction. One is a M3, the other is a M2. They both are cosmetically in pretty nice condition, but the viewfinder on each seems to have an issue. The M3 seems like it may have some separation going on and the focusing patch seems pretty dim. The frame lines for the 90mm seems permanently visible as well. The M2 has what looks like dark spot inside the viewfinder—I'm not sure that this could be. When you looks through the viewfinder it still seems bright and the patch is clearly visible. I'm wondering if anyone can help identify the issue and also let me know if you think it can be fixed. Other than the viewfinders, the cameras seems in really great shape. Hopefully a CLA can clear things up, or a recement. Thanks! Ross

Hello, I am new to the world of Leica and the forum but I have just purchased what I am hoping is a genuine M3 off a private seller but I had a question about something I only noticed once I had the camera at home with me. Basically I realized the Lens "Release" Button doesn't have the signature M3 metal surround. I have spent a few days google-ing and researching the features of an authentic leica and everything appears to be correct except for that tiny piece of metal that every other M3 has around the lens button. Was there at any point any variation that lacked the surround or would any of you guys/girls have any suggestions/reasoning behind it? Everything else seems to be correct like the pitting and general wear, the rewind knob dot colour etc etc. Thanks in advance for all your input and suggestions, based on the responses I get I can easily add more photos that would help you out.

I have just rediscovered a couple of rolls of HP5+ which I shot in 1998, developed and filed away. They are of a trip to London I took on our wedding anniversary, but have never printed. As far as I can remember/guess they were taken with a Leica M3 and 50mm Summicron f2 but I have no idea what I processed them in. I have now scanned them, and they are mainly of Pearly Kings and Queens arriving for the traditional Harvest Festival service at the church of St. Martins-in-the-Fields which is on trafalgar Square, London. Here is just 4 as a taster (the first one also shows a Chelsea Pensioner) Gerry

Hello, It's my first post on the forum, so a quick introduction: I live in Amsterdam and I'm the very proud owner of an M6 and an M3, the latter recently acquired seemingly in tip-top shape, serial 1 034 xxx. I've discovered a strange issue though, that I've yet to find a reference to on the forum or the web at large: it seems I can wind the shutter and shoot without encountering any resistance well past the frame 40 (where the counter stops). This of course is with 36 positions film loaded properly (Ilford XP2 and HP5+), as the two red dots keep turning until about frame 36-7 or so. After that, the dots no longer turn, but the shutter winds/cocks and shoots without issues, the frame advances to 40 and the stops, and I can still keep going at it. Miffed, I switch to R and rewind the film back into the canister. I can clearly hear the film moving inside, and finally there's a slight tension (but just ever so slight) followed by a much freer, lighter movement of the rewind knob which makes it clear that film's wound all in. Indeed taking out the canister shows it is. This happened twice already with both films I've shot on the camera. What could be happening? My M6 clearly doesn't allow me to keep on winding like a madman, reaching the end of the film prevents the winder to work, lest the film be broken off the canister. My only speculation is that the teeth engaging the sprockets are very slippery and just won't pull the film at some point, preferring to slip. Could this have anything to do with my not winding back the film a little bit during loading, before shooting frames -2 and -1? Please, any thoughts! Kind regards, Radu

Hello all, Already having a M6 and M7, I just was offered a great deal on a double stroke Leica M3 camera from 1956 in excellent condition which I intend to buy. I have now a few weeks to test it before making the final decision, but I already like the design. Inserting a roll of film wasn't difficult either - fairly straight forward. The camera also comes with the Leica MR light meter which sits on the hotshoe of the camera. Standard lens on the camera is a version of the expandable 50/2 Summicron lens. So far I like the bright 0.92x viewfinder (even the slight blueish cast of the glass takes a bit to get used to). The only slight issue I currently have is that I am predominantly a 35 mm shooter, and I am using the Leica 35/2 (version IV) as my favorite lens. Would love to use this lens on the M3, but the M3 does not come with 35 mm frame lines. This leaves me with three options - getting an older 35/2 lens with goggles or an external 35 mm viewfinder to be inserted onto the hotshoe. Third possibility is to use 35 mm only with my M6 and M7 cameras which would limit my usage of the M3 restricting it to 50 and 90 mm (assuming I leave the MR light meter mounted on the hotshoe). I am not really eager to get another older 35/2 lens, and I wouldn't be able to use the MR light meter on the hotshoe when using an external 35 mm viewfinder. Potentially I could use the MR viewfinder handheld (or using another external light meter). Any advice/experience here from others who use the M3 with 35 mm lenses?

hey guys.... I have inherited a Leica M3 and i dont know much at all about it. i keep seeing terms like "single throw/double throw" and dont know how to properly identify it. Im not even sure if im going to keep it. With that said, can anyone help me out with the details of what i have as far as the camera and the lens? and perhaps what its worth? heres what i know. Leica M3 purchased 1959 serial body - M3 - 966 148 serial lens - 1597506 thanks in advance, Ray

Hello! This is my first post to this forum and what better way to start it off but with asking for thoughts about a M3 with a 50/2 Dual Range Summicron I have the opportunity to buy locally. I currently have an M6 with a Zeiss 35mm 2.8 that I love, but I have been eyeing an M3 for quite a while. I only got a brief look at it the other day and was able to handle it for about a minute or two before I had to go. The viewfinder seems bright with a little dust and it seems to focus properly ( non of this is 100% since I was only able to spend a little time with it). I cant really remember what shape the metal of the body was in but I do know that the the leatherette will need replaced.I also did not have a chance to inspect internals or shutter speeds. The lens seems good and clear as well, no goggles though. It is a single stroke late model. I will be going back by today to pick up some film and plan to take a better look at it and hopefully take some pictures. The asking price for both together is $600.00, Is this something that I should not pass up? I will post pictures once I take a second look at it. Thanks!

Here is an interesting and mysterious story, something that I have never heard of before in the world of Leica: Two Leica M3 cameras with the exact same serial number. Apparently even Leica cannot figure out how this coincidence/miscue/event happened. https://petapixel.com/2017/01/21/seeing-double-curious-case-identical-twin-leica-m3s/

Just published a short review of the (quite)new Cine Still 50 iso Daylight film on my blog: http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/the-colour-of-film-cine-still-film-50.html?showComment=1449132023993 The photos are taken with a Leica M3 and 50mm Summilux ASPH Nick

With up to $1000 budget, which one would you buy to use and keep? M2, M3 or M4 And are there variations to watch for or watch out for? Also, which starter lens? Thanks J

Hi guys, this is my very first post over here after reading it since I've got my M3. I was using it with my friend's Summarit 50, while searching for an optimal lens for me. Finally, I've decided to buy a Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5. Fortunately, I've managed to get one for a test ride (actual the one, I'll buy, if i do so) and I've experience the following situation with it: when I put it on my camera, it doesn't click. Like if the lens release button (or how is it called officially?) doesn't clicks into the lens. So I can take off the lens of the body without pressing the lens release button. Interesting, though, I can't rotate the lens in the opposite direction without pressing the button. What can I do in that case? The guy has an M6 and 240 and he doesn't have that issue. I've tried to unscrew the button and check it on both lenses, but it seems identically the same, till the last micro mm. Here's a video demonstraing the problem: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10156939/Video%2007-03-15%2012%2049%2029.mov Thanks alot, guys much love

Hello everyone! I am new to the photography hobby and I have inherited a Leica M3 as well as a bunch of accessories. I am pretty sure I have figured out what some of the things are, such as the Leicameter MC, the 50mm Summicron f/2 Rigid, 135mm Hektor f/4.5 and the 21mm Super-Angulon f/4 lenses, but there are quite a few things that I am stuck on. I am hoping that you guys can help me ID some of these items! I have an idea as to what some of these may be, but some clarification would be nice. Your help would be appreciated TIA

I was in Hong Kong last week and paid a visit to the David Chan Photo Shop off Nathan Road in Kowloon. Mr. Chan has been selling cameras in HK since the early 60’s and has had the shop at 16 Kimberly Rd since 1972. He is without a doubt one of the most extraordinary collectors and sellers of vintage camera equipment on the planet, with a breathtaking knowledge of all the great marques, particularly Leica. He is more an obsessive collector than a camera vendor and keeps a deliberately low profile -- no website, no facebook page – a virtual ghost in the digital world for which he has little regard. But that hasn’t stopped him from becoming world famous. He is even featured in the Lonely Planet Guide to HK as well as Time Out HK: Time Out Hong Kong | Big Smog | Hongkonger: David Chan. But for a really great profile of him, check out Emilio Brizzi’s blog: On Photography And More: Meeting Mr. David Chan in Kowloon. I spent a couple of hours in the shop with the elegantly besuited Mr. Chan, his staff and the rather eccentric and passionate longtime customers of his who clearly treat the shop as a second home. (One of them insisted that Leica hadn't made a great lens since the 1930's!). Mr. Chan could quickly see that I was not a collector of high-end rarities. Nonetheless, he showed me a few of his many treasures, all lovingly wrapped in shrink wrap. And in the end, I couldn’t resist buying a lens: a 1966 Leica M 35mm 1.4 v2 lens with “eyes” to be precise. It was in good condition and perfect for my M3. When I told Mr. Chan I was from Toronto, he smiled and pointed out that my new lens had been made in Midland Ontario, near Toronto, in 1966. It was fitting then that I would be returning the lens to its birthplace. Who knows how many adventures it had had in the intervening 48 years on its journey from Toronto to Hong Kong? Mr. Chan smiled again and said, almost conspiratorially, that the Midland lenses were better built than the German ones. He invoked the sacred name of Leica designer extraordinaire Walter Mandler, who ran Leica’s Midland operation and who created the lens I had just purchased, among others. The transaction completed, Mr. Chan had one of his staff take a photo of me, Mr. Chan and one of his longtime customers. We shook hands and I walked out into the neon-lit, crowded buzzy streets of Kowloon and... took my first picture with my new lens. All in all a wonderful experience!

Found this M3 in perfect shape, but was confused with the 1-2-4-8 speed dial. According to the serial code, it is made in 1956. Therefore it should have a scientific 1-2-5-10 dial, right? The seller claims it is original though. And I see no reason a camera in such shape needs the speed dial replaced. I'm new to this forum. Any help would be appreciated.

It was really interesting to see other people's work as a print rather than viewed on a computer monitor. As always, I had my camera with me and found this shot. Leica M3 and 50 Summicron

Shot with Leica M3 and Summicron 2/50mm

A few months ago, I was visiting a friend and we watched his daughter's softball game

Hi, I just have a M3 camera here to try out. But I have not really any idea how to use a camera without light meter. So the question is on one hand - how to use a M3 without a ight meter to get the right exposure (ISO Aperture and Speed) - and on the other hand this is not sticky to a M3 but how to use any camera without light meter. Thanks for any help which is highly appreciated. Any links to online help also welcome - I already asked google but did not do a great job. Regards AHAB

Shot with Leica M3 and Summicron 2/50mm

First time shooting Kodak Portra last September