dpitt Posted January 23, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys, I have been participating in the other groups for a while now. Starting with the digital forum, moving from Nikon D70 to Digilux2 two years ago. Got bitten by the Leica virus for good. After buying a second Digilux2, I wanted to try a RF. The M8 was way to expensive, so it seemed a good idea to try a film M Bought an M2 in fairly good condition, and found an affordable Summicron 40C to use with it. Still I did not consider me a collector. That is one year ago now. In the process of expanding my lens set while saving for an M8 I picked up a CL beater with 40C cron and a 90 Elmar C. Then suddenly an M8 came along. It started to look like a collection Now the film experiment proved to be a success. I will be using films alongside the M8 as long as it is afordable. The film M provides me with a cheap full frame option. And yesterday I picked up this set: An M3, with 35cron, 50 col, 90 Elmar, 135, Hektor. All in very nice, working condition! This expands my collection of lenses from 3 to 7. But, should I keep this set to use , or is it too good to be used? What would you do Using the set would require at least the M3 and 50 col to be serviced and coded which will cost me 380 Euro extra. The 35 with goggles can not be used on the M2 and M8 The 135 can not be used on the M8, M2. It will not get used much by me because I do a lot of indoor shooting and short range things, like portrets and holiday snaps. I could sell the 135 and 35 to pay for the CLA and have some spare money, but that would break up this nice (rare) set which I never saw coming up for sale in my region, watching every sale for over two years. How rare is it? Taking out the camera risks damaging it or loosing parts. It still has the plastic inserts in de the flash sockets and the flash accessory! As well as a fast release shutter. I could sell the set as it is now and buy a more modern 50 cron pre-Asph version, a beater M3, and maybe a 28 Elmar or Elmarit, or any wide angle usable on M2 and M8. Any advice is welcome? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/142311-dilemma-with-m3-set/?do=findComment&comment=1566391'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 23, 2011 Posted January 23, 2011 Hi dpitt, Take a look here Dilemma with M3 set. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Stealth3kpl Posted January 23, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 23, 2011 One man's dilemma is another's luxury . Please don't break up the set. Keep it together but use and enjoy it. It's rare and will get rarer. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted January 23, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 23, 2011 ...And yesterday I picked up this set: An M3, with 35cron, 50 col, 90 Elmar, 135, Hektor. All in very nice, working condition! When I only read Your description, I thought: well, that's nothing special. Then I saw Your photo of the whole set - it is special! Not because of a single item, but for the whole collection, which seems to be kept together since it was acquired. It represents a very typical set from the early days of the M cameras. Therefore it would be sad, if you split it up. Perhaps with some "marketing" you could achieve a good price for it;) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted January 23, 2011 Yes, As some said. The set is bought as a set by the original owner. The owner did not really use it much. He sold it in the seventies to buy a Super 8 film set, which must by now be quite worthless :eek:The only things missing are 2 lens caps. I have only 2. I do not know if the set included shades for every lens. It now only has one for the 50 cron. Can you still find a complete list of the components or a pricelist from that period? The second owner used it with care. He collected camera's of all kinds and is using a digital Nikon now. This was the only Leica he ever had. He is retiring now and selling his collection piece by piece. I never saw this on the local adds in Belgium or Holland. Most of the time sets do not come with this custom made Leica case. And in most cases the lenses are not from the same year either. If I understand it right, the set, kept together will be a good investment? Better than a few lenses like Summicrons or Summiluxes of later date? Thanks, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted January 23, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 23, 2011 nice set! The first "Leica bag" with the "front-opening" design was OMNIGA ..interesting, some caps are missing too! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Promo "Leica Fotografie 2/1962" regards, Jan Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Promo "Leica Fotografie 2/1962" regards, Jan ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/142311-dilemma-with-m3-set/?do=findComment&comment=1566518'>More sharing options...
scsambrook Posted January 23, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 23, 2011 Hi Dirk ! That's a very nice outfit, in the 'correct' case as well . . . Guess I'm a bit jealous. You certainly can use the 35mm on all the M models, including the M8. When you look through the viewfinder, you get the correct field of view whatever camera you're using. So that must be one to keep. You don't need to code the 50 to use on the M8, so that's another problem gone. As for servicing the M3, I think you should find good independent technicians can do that for around 150-200 Euros, at least in the context of UK prices. The Hektor still sells for riculously low prices, so that's a sensible reason to keep it, even if you think you'll never use it much. If you buy a 135 viewfinder you can use it on the M2, and you can actually use it on the M8, even if framing is a little haphazard. Just estimate around halfway between the rangefinder patch and the 90 frame lines. That's what I do ! Keep it all. If the M3 needs a service, spend the money and tell yourself it's a wise investment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scsambrook Posted January 23, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Jan - thanks for the picture of the Omnica case. I had one, a long time ago. The design was great idea, but I found that getting the camera out of its clips often meant knocking it against one or other of the lenses, so I swapped it for a Benser holdall which was lighter and took up less space. By the time I decided to do that the front-opening Leitz case was discontinued. The only downside to the Leitz case was its weight, I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted January 23, 2011 Hi Dirk ! That's a very nice outfit, in the 'correct' case as well . . . Guess I'm a bit jealous. You certainly can use the 35mm on all the M models, including the M8. When you look through the viewfinder, you get the correct field of view whatever camera you're using. So that must be one to keep. ... Keep it all. If the M3 needs a service, spend the money and tell yourself it's a wise investment. Thanks for clearing some doubt in my mind. The 35 cron with goggles is the one I was most worried about. I just tried it on the M8 and indeed, it seems to work fine. It brings up the 50/75 mm frames and with goggles it displays the correct field of view! Looks like I will be happy to keep this set! And now I can promise to keep it together. Without some accidents I will be able to keep it in the condition it is now and still use it like I use any other camera I had before. nice set! The first "Leica bag" with the "front-opening" design was OMNIGA ..interesting, some caps are missing too! Jan, Thank you for the photo. Mine is a Leica bag. The leica bag seems easier to use. In the cover you also have some brackets to store a table tripod or so? I have no issues retreiving the camera without bumping it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted January 24, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 24, 2011 Dirk, your bag is a "Leica M3 Universal bag" from 1956.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! regards, Jan Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! regards, Jan ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/142311-dilemma-with-m3-set/?do=findComment&comment=1567242'>More sharing options...
Twotone Posted January 24, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 24, 2011 One of those cases here LEICA M GENUIN CASE MR METER CAPS ACCESSORIES - eBay (item 260722114351 end time Jan-24-11 09:33:16 PST) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 24, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 24, 2011 The Hektor 135 can also be used onto M8, as any other RF coupled 135 : you haven't a frame for it, but there is a simple rule that is to evaluate the framing as "halfway" from RF patch and 90 frame. It 's no bad onto M8 if glass is good, and your item seems to be of the version with the std. E39 filter mount, so no problem for a UVIR filter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted January 24, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 24, 2011 Hi If the slow speeds on the M3 are ok try a film as a test if that is good just use it as it is, many of them can go for decades without any service. My IIIc has not seen one since before '75. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted January 24, 2011 Share #13 Posted January 24, 2011 I was in a camera store that specialized in auctions about a year ago (simply buying a lens cap ) and an older, very well-dressed gentleman came in with a neat little leather case which when opened revealed an M3 and a whole range of lovely lenses, accessories and filters neatly hung and inserted in different pockets and straps. I waited patiently while the assistant looking after me disappeared to find the appropriate cap, and listened to the story about the death of the camera owner (an even more elderly relative, apparently), and how the family now simply wanted to sell all his camera equipment. The store assistant took out each item in turn, looked at it (rather disparaging, I thought) then (again, surprisingly carelessly) placed the pieces in separate plastic trays - one for the lenses, one for the camera and one for the filters and miscellaneous other articles. Then returned the lovely leather case with some offhand remark that no-one would be interested in it. The old man asked rather tentatively how much money the items might raise, and was given a figure that I felt was ridiculously low (though the auction house naturally would hope for the highest possible sum - so there was no cheating involved, I hasten to add). I still wish I'd met the old gentleman on the doorstep instead, and had magically known what he had in the lovely leather case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted January 24, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 24, 2011 That case and accessories went for $124.72 plus postage which is amazing, IMO. I've seen the MR meter going for that alone. Anyone buy it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted January 24, 2011 Thanks everyone for your encouraging help with this. This forum is really great!Slow times work (visually checked with lens removed) Of course I will try the M3 with a test film to be sure. After seeing the marvolous job Will van Manen did on my Leica M2, he will probably have a chance to service this one sooner or later anyway. The lenses will probably require some attention before the body. Glass is not scratched. Very little bit of cleaning marks on the 50, but some haze in both of them. No fungus as far as I can tell. I have some trouble focussing them with one finger, they feel more stiff than should be. And I have to get used to the infinity lock... Why did Leica put this lock on the lenses? Tried soe test shots on my M8 and the 50 performs quite well compared to my much younger 40cron-C! It will be a nice portret lens on the M8 as far as I can see now. One strange thing with the 90 Elmar. The diafragm ring does not click?! Is it supposed to turn without stops? Jan, Thanks for the picture, no exact match, but close (goggles stored differently) In my bag the clamps in the top are empty. What goes there? Monopod? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 24, 2011 Share #16 Posted January 24, 2011 .... One strange thing with the 90 Elmar. The diafragm ring does not click?! Is it supposed to turn without stops? .... Correct, that version of the 90 (ELGAM) does not click - the following 2 versions (collapsible and "3 elements") do Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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