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Recommendations for recovering M3?


IkarusJohn

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Okay, I'm a dickhead, and a number of you warned me!

 

I sold my MP (for a good price), and now I'm thinking I might want another film Leica. But to my credit, I've banked the MP money, and I'm looking at an M3 in very good condition - 1962 vintage, single stroke, and recent attention from Solms. But the vulcanite is a bit messy ...

 

So, I'm considering sending it to Solms for a CLA and to get it recovered. My question is, does anyone have any recommendations on what to recover it with? My gut reaction is to get the vulcanite replaced (it will match my silver M9 and remain faithful to the original camera), but then I don't need to hide the fact that the camera has been recovered.

 

Has anyone else gone for a different covering? Black saddle leather? tan leather like Jaap's M9? Red leather? Green?

 

I assume that I can choose from what is offered in the MP a la carte program (I'm waiting to hear from Solms). So, any recommendations or pictures of options gratefully received - I'm open to suggestions, and appreciating advice.

 

Cheers

John

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My M3 was recovered with a black leather called "Levant Black" from Camera Leather. I have been really happy with that, my M6 has the same and I have a kit for my M8. For my M7 I decided to turn up a notch and ordered a kit with black kid leather. It looks amazing, I just need to get the camera back from CS so it can go where it should. I really like the look and feel of the black leather, personally I think the other colours are too loud, but that is just me.

 

Carl

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Hello John,

 

What colors, textures, etc do you like John? It's yours to live w/ forever starting when you get it back. They're all perfectly good you know.

 

Except - well...... you know.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

 

Umm, yeah. All true, Michael. Just nice sometimes to see what others think. Lime green lizard might give me pause for thought ...

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I recently recovered my M4-2 with Griptac black from Morgan Sparks, the worst part was removing the vulcanite from the back door. Otherwise an easy and satisfying procedure. Big plus was that Griptac really works, highly recommended.

 

Best,

 

normclarke.

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Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I asked Customer Service in Solms - they made a good point. The M3 has screws and things under the cover - it's not as clean and smooth as the MP and later Ms, so a textured finish is important.

 

That really only leaves The original vulcanite, ostrich and lizard finishes. I think I'll go for the original vulcanite finish. That way, the camera will be restored to pretty much original condition.

 

When I get it (some months away, I suspect), I'll post an image here.

 

Cheers

John

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Okay, I'm a dickhead, and a number of you warned me!

 

I sold my MP (for a good price), and now I'm thinking I might want another film Leica. But to my credit, I've banked the MP money, and I'm looking at an M3 in very good condition - 1962 vintage, single stroke, and recent attention from Solms. But the vulcanite is a bit messy ...

 

So, I'm considering sending it to Solms for a CLA and to get it recovered. My question is, does anyone have any recommendations on what to recover it with? My gut reaction is to get the vulcanite replaced (it will match my silver M9 and remain faithful to the original camera), but then I don't need to hide the fact that the camera has been recovered.

 

Has anyone else gone for a different covering? Black saddle leather? tan leather like Jaap's M9? Red leather? Green?

 

I assume that I can choose from what is offered in the MP a la carte program (I'm waiting to hear from Solms). So, any recommendations or pictures of options gratefully received - I'm open to suggestions, and appreciating advice.

 

Cheers

John

 

 

Just passing through and couldn't resist:

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Thanks, Dave. Is that Black Levant, from camera leather? Or is it a Leica a la carte finish? It looks very good.

 

Thanks...That is Verdigris Kidskin from Cameraleather. Very elegant and is wearing well.Will do my IIIf in the same color for a matching set.:)

 

http://www.cameraleather.com/colors/

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I think you mean 'vulcanite style covering' which won't be the same as the original vulcanite - there are one or two places (from what I've read here before) who can re-vulcanite a camera but it's a difficult process.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I asked Customer Service in Solms - they made a good point. The M3 has screws and things under the cover - it's not as clean and smooth as the MP and later Ms, so a textured finish is important.

 

That really only leaves The original vulcanite, ostrich and lizard finishes. I think I'll go for the original vulcanite finish. That way, the camera will be restored to pretty much original condition.

 

When I get it (some months away, I suspect), I'll post an image here.

 

Cheers

John

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I think you mean 'vulcanite style covering' which won't be the same as the original vulcanite - there are one or two places (from what I've read here before) who can re-vulcanite a camera but it's a difficult process.

 

You're probably quite right, James. I was simply quoting the a la carte description.

 

Cheers

John

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Okay, I'm a dickhead, and a number of you warned me!

 

I sold my MP (for a good price), and now I'm thinking I might want another film Leica.

 

Cheers

John

Not to bash you for your decision, but this is yet another verification of the first law of Leica ownership (as written by yours truly): Never sell a Leica M camera body or lens - you will only come to regret it down the road.
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My M3 was recovered with a black leather called "Levant Black" from Camera Leather. I have been really happy with that...I really like the look and feel of the black leather, personally I think the other colours are too loud, but that is just me.

 

Carl

 

Me too.

 

LOOK

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If you haven't seen Griptac this is what it looks like. A bit industrial looking but absolutely non-slip.

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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