Inspector Clouseau Posted May 4, 2012 Share #1 Posted May 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Friends, Let me ask of your opinion. I am having one of my M3's painted in olive drab. The professional camera painter asked if I would like to have the traditional "Bundeseigentum 12-121-5418" engraved onto the camera. I am now torn in my decision and I am requesting your assistance. If any of you were to buy an M3 that was re-painted olive green .... would you want a traditional engraving to be present ???? 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/178701-olive-m3/?do=findComment&comment=2001097'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Hi Inspector Clouseau, Take a look here Olive M3. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
M9reno Posted May 4, 2012 Share #2 Posted May 4, 2012 The question I would ask myself would be: am I doing it for aesthetic or similar reasons, or in order to perpetrate a forgery? Seriously, you surely don't want this camera to be passed off, later on perhaps, when you won't be around to clarify, as a real Bundeseigentum. Save your descendants the embarrassment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Clouseau Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted May 4, 2012 Well first off ..... my son and daughter have been dealing with Leica themselves since they were toddlers, so I don't see them getting spoofed, And Yes I have considered that it would appear fraudulent ...... but the serial numbers are well published so I was thinking that it may not be an issue. I have well over 13 M3's now and I think I may like a replica of an olive M3 .... even if I know in my heart that its not a true replica. I also believe that anyone that were looking for a true olive M3 would never consider the one Im about to have painted to be authentic. It would look brand new !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted May 4, 2012 Share #4 Posted May 4, 2012 Yes, I see what you mean. After all, maybe not much different from having a chrome M3 painted black, and that seems to happen quite frequently. So I guess: go for it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted May 4, 2012 Share #5 Posted May 4, 2012 I also believe that anyone that were looking for a true olive M3 would never consider the one Im about to have painted to be authentic. It would look brand new !!! Never overestimate the intelligence level of the average eb*y customer... I think you have to ask yourself what the purpose of the exercise is. If it's your desire to have a replica Bundeseigentum then I see no problem with it, however I would probably also have the baseplate inscribed with "Replica Bundeseigentum M3 created for so and so by so and so" and give a date. It doesn't guarantee that in the future someone might not create a new baseplate, but it at least keeps the provenance a little cleaner. If it was me I would skip the inscription. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted May 4, 2012 Share #6 Posted May 4, 2012 If it was me I would skip the inscription. Yup, me too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 4, 2012 Share #7 Posted May 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yup, me too. Me too... the Olive Green can be a pleasant color and a classic look... the Bundes inscription : - Isn't original - Is not esthetically fine - Smells of "forgery" even if the owner is immaculate.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 4, 2012 Share #8 Posted May 4, 2012 Make it more perfect than Leitz ever did: All parts should get painted olive or camourflage, even all silver-chrome parts, which IMHO don't look very well on that special edition. In green forests nothing may flash... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennersten Posted May 4, 2012 Share #9 Posted May 4, 2012 Why not inscribing your name instead? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted May 4, 2012 Share #10 Posted May 4, 2012 No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted May 4, 2012 Share #11 Posted May 4, 2012 No! cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted May 4, 2012 Share #12 Posted May 4, 2012 A lot of forgery and copies threads posted recently. Not a very good subject in my opinion. Would like to see nice genuine ones items picts posted by the forum members. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted May 5, 2012 Share #13 Posted May 5, 2012 As the owner of an "0-Serie" replica I believe there is a place for such cameras, as long as they are clearly marked so as to differentiate them from the originals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted May 6, 2012 Share #14 Posted May 6, 2012 I cannot see the point of repainting it or adding the engraving ... bit like young lads ruining cars by adding go faster stripes and throaty exhausts ... 'boy racer' syndrome. The camera will not take better photos after its 'coiffure'. And it might be difficult to sell if ever you need to move it on. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SideB Posted May 10, 2012 Share #15 Posted May 10, 2012 If you want an olive green M3 the Bundeseigentum engraving would add nothing but confusion which could be exploited by an unscupulous/ignorant future owner. If you want a BW M3 but can't afford one perhaps you could sell some of the 13 other M3s and buy it: they are still available and it would be a genuine camera rather than a replica/soon-to-be-forgery. This is very comparable to the situnation with the Leica Luxus. I am told by a very well regarded Leica expert that most of the Luxus gold plated cameras sold as originals are in fact forgeries, some of which started life as perfectly innocent "replicas". He has seen several with the same "correct" serial numbers. A green M3 would be a lovely thing but I don;t see the point in pretending it is something it is not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted May 19, 2012 Share #16 Posted May 19, 2012 Me too... the Olive Green can be a pleasant color and a classic look... the Bundes inscription :- Isn't original - Is not esthetically fine - Smells of "forgery" even if the owner is immaculate.... +1 Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted May 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted May 21, 2012 As the owner of an "0-Serie" replica I believe there is a place for such cameras, as long as they are clearly marked so as to differentiate them from the originals. I'm not sure the dilemma under discussion is comparable to the 0-serie camera. Incidentally (and going off-topic), I don't think describing the modern incarnation of the 0-serie as a replica really does the camera justice. For me, I tend to associate 'replicas' with partly or non-functioning decorative objects or props such as replica guns, etc. (or, at best, a functional copy of something built by a manufacturer with little or no relation to the original company). The modern 0-serie camera seems a bit different to me. It is a beautifully made mechanical device (of much higher build and finish than the contemporary MP), fully functional and built by the original manufacturer. I prefer to view the 0-serie as a kind of re-issue or a limited re-run and I feel that, had it been marketed as such, it might have sold better. I've no idea what they sell for now but only a few years ago you could pick one up for under £500 – the price of a D-Lux or not much greater than the price of Leica's fancy optional lens hood for the 28 Summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted May 21, 2012 Share #18 Posted May 21, 2012 There are two on eBay now with BINs of around $3,000 That's not a bad return if they sell at that price, with £500 being only $800 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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