yeahyoung Posted August 30, 2014 Share #1 Posted August 30, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Found this M3 in perfect shape, but was confused with the 1-2-4-8 speed dial. According to the serial code, it is made in 1956. Therefore it should have a scientific 1-2-5-10 dial, right? The seller claims it is original though. And I see no reason a camera in such shape needs the speed dial replaced. I'm new to this forum. Any help would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 30, 2014 Posted August 30, 2014 Hi yeahyoung, Take a look here From top plate, is this M3 all original?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Pecole Posted August 30, 2014 Share #2 Posted August 30, 2014 Found this M3 in perfect shape, but was confused with the 1-2-4-8 speed dial. According to the serial code, it is made in 1956. Therefore it should have a scientific 1-2-5-10 dial, right? The seller claims it is original though. And I see no reason a camera in such shape needs the speed dial replaced. I'm new to this forum. Any help would be appreciated. Looks perfectly normal to me. In my Fontenelle Collection, nº707xxx had one single red dot od rewind button, and 805xxx had two. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted August 30, 2014 Share #3 Posted August 30, 2014 And I see no reason a camera in such shape needs the speed dial replaced. It could have been upgraded to the newer speeds, speed dial and speed disc (hidden under top cover) could have been replaced. But maybe someone knows SN when newer speeds were introduced. Jerzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted August 30, 2014 Share #4 Posted August 30, 2014 New International shutter speeds were introduced in 1957 # 854001 onwards my sources say, same as the glass to metal pressure plate change. Looks like this example has had work done, no detriment, probably. Do you know about the pressure plate type, that would help decide if it was "parts bin" job? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 31, 2014 Share #5 Posted August 31, 2014 The numbers are close enough, Leica uses number batches. Leica factory records are not amongst the most precise or even legible, so it is possible that this one was made in 1957 with an old number. On the other hand, it looks almost "too mint", so it may well be a restored camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted August 31, 2014 Share #6 Posted August 31, 2014 The possibility is a mint top and casing was used to replace a damaged later serial number body, or work was done to "upgrade" the shutter. Another source quotes the pressure plate change at 844001 again quoting 1957. The single/double stroke is not diagnostic as so many were changed later. I agree the number is not precise and is a guide. We are in the broom situation: if you change the brush head and later the shaft it is patently not "original" it is still however a perfectly functioning broom. This camera is the same,provided the dial was changed competently, if at all, and the mechanisms have not been butchered it seems to be an M3 in lovely condition. If you are original obsessive there is doubt. An originality claim after so many intervening years an probably owners is on thin ice without documentary evidence especially if it is being used to back a price above the average. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted August 31, 2014 Share #7 Posted August 31, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Isn't there any other picture of this M3 ? I mean, it could be interesting to verify the status of the 5 screws that hold in place the lens'flange.... in theory, an original (never restored) M3 ought to have a wax "seal" with an "L" (Leitz-styled) engraved.... I imagine it has not, being this probably a restored/upgraded M3... which does not mean it is not original in wide sense (lot of M3s were restored by Leitz or official agents... some of them had even their own wax seal...) Anyway, it depends only on what are you looking for: a good M3 to have and use, or a collector grade item, which this one is probably not : take into account that fakes of M cameras (russian or so) simply don't exist, while on the contrary many tentatives have been reported (some of them successful... ) to sell at high prices original Ms faked to look rare items (typical case, the black M3) , and this one doesn't look such a case. And... welcome to the Forum !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted September 1, 2014 Thank you so much for the insightful comments folks. FYI, here are the other pictures: The seller claims that the camera has been serviced by Gerry Smith. The L seal is NOT intact. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted September 1, 2014 Share #9 Posted September 1, 2014 Is it still a double stroke or has it been converted to single? Recent service, camera looks like it's in great shape, if you want it as a user then all it needs is a a 50mm DR Summicon and a roll of Tri-X. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted September 2, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 2, 2014 Looks beautiful, almost too nice to use, almost Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted September 2, 2014 Is it still a double stroke or has it been converted to single? Recent service, camera looks like it's in great shape, if you want it as a user then all it needs is a a 50mm DR Summicon and a roll of Tri-X. It's still a double stroke. I don't really need a user Leica M camera since I use a M6 classic. Do you guys see any collection value in this one? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted September 3, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 3, 2014 I see no value at all personally in a collection, I use all mine, not at the same time though does that count? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted September 3, 2014 I see no value at all personally in a collection, I use all mine, not at the same time though does that count? Yes! Very helpful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 4, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 4, 2014 It's still a double stroke. I don't really need a user Leica M camera since I use a M6 classic. Do you guys see any collection value in this one? No specific collector value : M3 abound in the market, DO maintain a good value (imho they will never be de-valued... too an historically important camera) , and this is one of the many, finely restored and not in fully original conditions : nice item to have and use with care, given that cosmetics is excellent; if you like to have a M3 for the pleasure to have it, I'd suggest to search for another, in case less fine but with all the right details of its times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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