Gaucho Posted April 4, 2012 Share #1 Posted April 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) hi guys, I'm gaucho from Argentina. I came across this M3 DS Serial 916xxx, its in good shape overall, original "L" seal still in place and it comes with an Elmar 50mm f/3.5 collapsible in good shape too. The camera has a jammed shutter button and the film advance lever its very hard to push, but it goes all the way. Original owner passed away and his family is selling some stuff so I cant ask anything about if its has been serviced before, they just dont know. I know its screaming for a CLA and maybe something more. Do you think 300USD is a fair price to pay? thanks for any comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 Hi Gaucho, Take a look here is this a good deal for an M3?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Stealth3kpl Posted April 4, 2012 Share #2 Posted April 4, 2012 The L seal would suggest it hasn't been serviced. Sounds like a fair deal. I would think a CLA would be $200-300? Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaucho Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted April 4, 2012 hi Stealth3kpl, yeah or it has been serviced in one of the Leica Oficial Agents that put the seal back after a repair which I doubt because in Argentina we only had Mr. Nasello (who died last year) as a Leica 'Guru' so my bet is that it hasnt been serviced ever since late 50s. if I buy it, my bet is that by doing a CLA the stuck shutter would come to life back again. The stiff lever problem might be only a lubrication one. thanks for your comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted April 4, 2012 Share #4 Posted April 4, 2012 At that cost, it would be a very good deal for you. Budget 300 to 400 for a thorough CLA and you'll have a fantastic M3 for roughly 700 loonies -- sounds like a bargain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prunelle Posted April 4, 2012 Share #5 Posted April 4, 2012 300 US$ for both the body and the lens? To my eyes, it's not a fair price, it's a bargain! These people don't know what they are selling. Leica M Mount Camera Price and Information Guide Leica M Mount Lens Guide Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 4, 2012 Share #6 Posted April 4, 2012 Snap it up! The risk is that it requires more than just a CLA - shutter curtains can perish or worse still the elements in the viewfinder can separate. If it only needs a CLA you have a bargain. If it needs new shutter curtains and one or two other tweaks you have a freshly restored M3 for a fair price. If you need a new viewfinder assembly then OK you would be able to buy a good working M3 for less than the total cost, but you still have a good as new camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaucho Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted April 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Snap it up! The risk is that it requires more than just a CLA - shutter curtains can perish or worse still the elements in the viewfinder can separate. If it only needs a CLA you have a bargain. If it needs new shutter curtains and one or two other tweaks you have a freshly restored M3 for a fair price. If you need a new viewfinder assembly then OK you would be able to buy a good working M3 for less than the total cost, but you still have a good as new camera! exactly, thats what I thought, they were asking 600USD and I put it down to 300USD because of the jammed shutter and the stiff lever. The viewfinder is okay so my bet is that it only needs a CLA which I might do in England. thanks for all your replies, you guys rock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaucho Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted April 8, 2012 well guys, all I can say its that I'm a happy (new) owner of an M3 now I'm leaving to England in a few days so I will take it to Red Dot Cameras in London and leave it there for a good deep CLA. I hope it doesnt take too long, I want to use it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted April 10, 2012 Share #9 Posted April 10, 2012 Good luck. It will be fun to see your first frames from this lovely camera. I purchased my first M3 in 1973. Haven't been without one since. Best film rangefinder ever made. Enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted April 14, 2012 Share #10 Posted April 14, 2012 well guys, all I can say its that I'm a happy (new) owner of an M3 now I'm leaving to England in a few days so I will take it to Red Dot Cameras in London and leave it there for a good deep CLA. I hope it doesnt take too long, I want to use it! ...keep us posted, Gaucho - everyone loves a good story (I think). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 14, 2012 Share #11 Posted April 14, 2012 Definitely worth getting and sending away for refurbishment ... but bear in mind the total cost may work out the same as buying one that has already been serviced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 14, 2012 Share #12 Posted April 14, 2012 Good point, a full service in the UK would be around £250 plus parts and plus whatever other complications are found. I would send it direct to a repairer so you are talking directly to the person servicing it, not through a third party. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 14, 2012 Share #13 Posted April 14, 2012 Good point, Steve, a dealer might send it to Leica which could turn out expensive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaucho Posted August 15, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted August 15, 2012 sorry for being away for so long, been traveling a lot. I've got my M3 back from RedDotCameras in London, UK and it feels great. The total cost of the CLA was £250.- (camera + lens) I have included the Elmar since it also needed some lub. So in today's money it would be around 700USD the total cost of the investment, and I can tell it worth it. I've been shooting my last slides with my Mamiya 7 and when I'm done I'll start playing with this well-made german toy:D hope you are all well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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