wattsy Posted September 22, 2011 Share #41 Posted September 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Also the black caps are definitely the wrong colour for an M3, of any year, no? I think so. You can buy finely machined replicas of the traditional white caps for only a few pounds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 Hi wattsy, Take a look here Unengraved M3 baseplate. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted September 22, 2011 Share #42 Posted September 22, 2011 Are the flash connectors original or have they perhaps been updated to the later pc type sockets? Usually you need an adapter plug. The White style caps only fit the original sockets I think? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted September 22, 2011 Share #43 Posted September 22, 2011 One more puzzle remains, of course: the bolt and bulb engravings on the back of the top plate, as has been noticed earlier in this thread, differ from the normal M3 variety. I post a picture. Does anyone know when and on what Leica these more simplified designs came into use? The design might help to date the restoration more closely, for all I know. Also the black caps are definitely the wrong colour for an M3, of any year, no? ... I welcome your observations with thanks, as ever. 1-The bolt and bulb engravings on the back of the top plate are from M4 era (even if the very first M4 cameras have the old design) 2- Original caps would be white. cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share #44 Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks to all. Regarding the colour of the caps, I thought as much, and will get a couple of replicas. Please James, short of actually connecting a flash (since I don't own any flash equipment) how to tell if the sockets have been updated? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 22, 2011 Share #45 Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks to all. Regarding the colour of the caps, I thought as much, and will get a couple of replicas. Please James, short of actually connecting a flash (since I don't own any flash equipment) how to tell if the sockets have been updated?[/quote] Graphics of the symbols...... the film indicator too is different from my M3's one... but can't say 100% it's not a M3 - type... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted September 22, 2011 Share #46 Posted September 22, 2011 I think so. You can buy finely machined replicas of the traditional white caps for only a few pounds. I recently bought originals ones from a guy in America for about £18 the pair, they're slightly off-white with age. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 22, 2011 Share #47 Posted September 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks to all. Regarding the colour of the caps, I thought as much, and will get a couple of replicas. Please James, short of actually connecting a flash (since I don't own any flash equipment) how to tell if the sockets have been updated? Hi, The original sockets are larger than current pc sockets. Normally you need an adapter plug to use a current flash, which fits into the electronic flash socket on an M3. If you show a photo with those plugs removed I can tell you which you have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share #48 Posted September 23, 2011 Thanks for your help, James. Here is a picture without the caps. Luigi, I think the ASA dials changed from early to late M3s. See Forum - M3 BEGINS "M3之謎" Clearly there are more than 2 varieties in the period 1954 - 1963. My IIIg's dial, which looks superficially similar, goes from ASA 4 to 1000. Thanks again. 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/161987-unengraved-m3-baseplate/?do=findComment&comment=1800310'>More sharing options...
Ronan Posted September 23, 2011 Share #49 Posted September 23, 2011 J'ai un jour commandé chez Leitz une nouvelle base de M3 chromée (en i988, je crois), et j'ai effectivement reçu un exemplaire sans aucune gravure. A toutes fins utiles, Jean-Claude.Et amicalement Pierre Pas mal, par contre 1988 c'est pas 2011. Je me demande ce qui reste du stock M3... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share #50 Posted September 23, 2011 From a cursory glance at other sockets, and at the caps to which wattsy (above) provided a link, my guess is that there is a sync conversion and the traditional white caps (or replicas thereof) will not fit... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 23, 2011 Share #51 Posted September 23, 2011 Thanks for your help, James. Here is a picture without the caps. Luigi, I think the ASA dials changed from early to late M3s. See Forum - M3 BEGINS "M3之謎" Clearly there are more than 2 varieties in the period 1954 - 1963. My IIIg's dial, which looks superficially similar, goes from ASA 4 to 1000. Thanks again. Interesting the Japan Link !! Thanks. They list two variants (ASA 250 and ASA 1300) , but my M3 has it to ASA 1000 like the one you mention about IIIg... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 23, 2011 Share #52 Posted September 23, 2011 Yes, it certainly appears that as part of the refurb they fitted the later i.e. current standard flash sockets. I don't see the ridges that the White style socket caps would clip to either. Means you dont need an adapter though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted September 23, 2011 Share #53 Posted September 23, 2011 Thanks for your help, James. Here is a picture without the caps. Luigi, I think the ASA dials changed from early to late M3s. See Forum - M3 BEGINS "M3之謎" Clearly there are more than 2 varieties in the period 1954 - 1963. My IIIg's dial, which looks superficially similar, goes from ASA 4 to 1000. Thanks again. As far as I see, even the back door is a spare part, anodized finish instead of black paint. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share #54 Posted September 23, 2011 As far as I see, even the back door is a spare part, anodized finish instead of black paint. Gosh! What's left of a restored M3? It's certainly beautiful and as far as I can tell it behaves exactly as a "new" M3 should, which were my two basic criteria... but more and more this is reminding me of Steve Austin/Lee Majors and the "Six Million Dollar Man" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 23, 2011 Share #55 Posted September 23, 2011 As far as I see, even the back door is a spare part, anodized finish instead of black paint. Cheers. Good eye... Reno, don't worry of those details !!! Stay sure, you have a M3 , fine and nice working, on which I think that there isn't a single part not coming from Leitz factory... how many top models have ANY DETAIL that is 100% mom's made ? And in full sincerity, do I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to say about my beloved wife ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share #56 Posted September 23, 2011 Thank you to all. It has certainly been an educational and entertaining process, throwing up all kinds of interesting questions about what makes something what it is - or claims to be. Last April I I finally paid attention to my late grandfather's old IIIg - given to me by my mother years ago - and lurking in the back of my desk drawer. To be totally honest, I didn't even know what that funny-looking camera was - but then the Leica bug bit - brutally - and the last several months have been one of the most intense (and obsessive) periods of my life. For months I've racked my head about why my grandfather chose a IIIg over the M3 when he bought his camera in Rome, in 1957. Perhaps he simply could not afford the M3, or perhaps it was a deliberate choice to stick with the tried and trusty Barnacks. I strongly suspect it was lack of money - his IIIg instructions were kept neatly, but among every kind of pamphlet and brochure in Italian and Spanish about the camera he never got, but clearly fascinated him - the M3. So finally having and shooting one just feels right, in more ways than one. Anyway, thank you again to all of you for answering my question about a baseplate! I can only imagine these sorts of things don't bother/interest owners of other camera brands to any comparable degree. Unless this M3 suddenly decides to shed its sulphurous make-up and starts bashing my head with a rolling pin within the next 10 days, I think it's a keeper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 23, 2011 Author Share #57 Posted September 23, 2011 I meant for this to go with my previous post. Thanks again. 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/161987-unengraved-m3-baseplate/?do=findComment&comment=1800737'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 24, 2011 Share #58 Posted September 24, 2011 Your Grandfather simply had good taste, I'd choose the lllg over an M3! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 24, 2011 Share #59 Posted September 24, 2011 IIIG was a nice choice for people tied to Barnacks, but, as you say, money could have a role... US pricelist of 1957 says 180 for M3, 112.8 for IIIG (bodies only) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted September 24, 2011 Share #60 Posted September 24, 2011 LEICA M3 (1954-1967) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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