gvf Posted July 4, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 4, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, my first post, about my first Leica and only Leica, and my first and only Leica problem, a biggie. I hope this is the right place for M3s, I didn't see that listed. But I'll take a chance: I bought a Leica M3 with collapsible summicron 50mm 6 weeks ago. Not a mark on the body. However, there was what looked like a hair in the Finder patch. And someone mentioned that could also be serious problems with the prisms, I think that was it. I sent to Sherry Krauter for a CLA but asked het to check the finder first. She found it was basically coming unglued, many parts are going, more than two prisms are involved in this and that it can't be fixed. It will grow worse and she said a bump or drop could make the Finder unusable. I can't get my money back and am discouraged. The camera took very nice photos from the few rolls I shot. Obviously I can't sell it and be honest, meaning stating in the ad what the problem is. I doubt it would fetch a buyer, great looking body or not,and if it sold, little money would be involved. I could keep it and shoot while the Finder is worsening. Sherry had no time limit on that she could give me. Does anyone think it would be likely to find a good Finder for that generation M3, or an upgraded one. Mine's a 1955. Sherry Krauter didn't seem to think that likely. Anyway, being a rookie in the Leica line I don't really know what I should do or what's even possible. Any ideas? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 Hi gvf, Take a look here New Guy - Serious Problem. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted July 4, 2015 Share #2 Posted July 4, 2015 This will likely be reposted by the mods in the Film M forum… http://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/148-leica-m7-mp-and-film-m/ You might contact DAG (Don Goldberg) for advice… http://www.dagcamera.com/contact.html While unfortunately I can't help with this issue, I hope you take away two lessons for the future (assuming, I hope, that you continue to purchase Leica)….one, always buy from a reputable Leica dealer with some form of warranty and return policy, and carry personal insurance on your gear to cover everything the warranty does not. If Don can't help, there are some other repair specialists listed here… http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/148956-repair-specialists/ Good luck. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornnb Posted July 4, 2015 Share #3 Posted July 4, 2015 Your best bet is to find a non-functional M3 on eBay for parts. Such as one with a broken shutter from which you could recover the rangefinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted July 4, 2015 Share #4 Posted July 4, 2015 Sorry to hear that your M3 has this problem. The rangefinder/viewfinder in the M3 is 0.91 magnification and is the best that Leica makes or made so it's worthwhile persevering with it. As mentioned above you could look for a parts M3 but I suspect that they will be few and far between because the M3 was built so robustly and if you did find one there's only a small chance that the finder would be in better condition than yours. In your place I would send the M3 to the Leica 'mothership' in Wetzlar to be repaired. It won't be cheap but when you get it back you'll have an M3 that you can use for decades and a warranty. I wouldn't part with my M3. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted July 4, 2015 Share #5 Posted July 4, 2015 I wouldn't be too discouraged. I bought an M3 some years ago, and sent it off to Leica for a bit of love and attention (including re-covering). It came back with a clean bill of health, but also with the warning that the rangefinder was coming unglued and it couldn't be fixed. It has worked flawlessly ever since. Get out and take photos and enjoy your M3 while it works - what counts is the image captured on film, not the clarity for he rangefinder (provided it still focuses and you get the frames about right). There is no shortage of secondhand M3 cameras on eBay for under $1,000. When yours dies, there will be others available to replace it, or to pillage for spare parts. You will probably want to consider upgrading to an M4-P if and when yours becomes unusable. The more critical part is that you're on your way with Leica - it's a great journey. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvf Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted July 4, 2015 I wouldn't be too discouraged. I bought an M3 some years ago, and sent it off to Leica for a bit of love and attention (including re-covering). It came back with a clean bill of health, but also with the warning that the rangefinder was coming unglued and it couldn't be fixed. It has worked flawlessly ever since. Get out and take photos and enjoy your M3 while it works - what counts is the image captured on film, not the clarity for he rangefinder (provided it still focuses and you get the frames about right). There is no shortage of secondhand M3 cameras on eBay for under $1,000. When yours dies, there will be others available to replace it, or to pillage for spare parts. You will probably want to consider upgrading to an M4-P if and when yours becomes unusable. The more critical part is that you're on your way with Leica - it's a great journey. Cheers John I think for me that's the best idea, and using it doesn't preclude sending it to Leica when it's getting quite bad. I'm quite bad myself in one physical condition and I'm older. Maybe the M3 and I can both fail at the same rate. We're both operating under the same imperative: life is short. Thanks all, I can tell I'm now part of group with both depth of knowledge and common sense. A rare find in my field, Academia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted July 4, 2015 Share #7 Posted July 4, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) And when it goes, put a wide angle lens on it, stop it down some and zone focus. The rangefinder went out of my Zeiss Ikon and it couldn't be fixed. I use a 21mm lens on it. At f/8 the hyper focal distance is 1.8 m. It has some limitations, but it still takes nice pictures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvf Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted July 4, 2015 This will likely be reposted by the mods in the Film M forum… http://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/148-leica-m7-mp-and-film-m/ You might contact DAG (Don Goldberg) for advice… http://www.dagcamera.com/contact.html While unfortunately I can't help with this issue, I hope you take away two lessons for the future (assuming, I hope, that you continue to purchase Leica)….one, always buy from a reputable Leica dealer with some form of warranty and return policy, and carry personal insurance on your gear to cover everything the warranty does not. If Don can't help, there are some other repair specialists listed here… http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/148956-repair-specialists/ Good luck. Jeff Thanks so much, very good info! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 4, 2015 Share #9 Posted July 4, 2015 I agree with the idea of just using it and have fun, the worst may never happen. But at the same time create a saved search on Ebay for a 'spares or repair M3' Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted July 4, 2015 Share #10 Posted July 4, 2015 In my experience the top independent experts are better than Leica at taking care of old equipment, not to mention more reasonable in their fees. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted July 4, 2015 Share #11 Posted July 4, 2015 I'm trying to recall a hazy memory here, but I'm sure I once read that CRR in Luton are particularly good with the actual rangefinder - for example if my memory serves they can resilver the prisms. It might be worth your seeking their advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 4, 2015 Share #12 Posted July 4, 2015 Will van Manen has been known to repair separation. The scary part is to prise the two offending pieces apart - there is always the unavoidable risk of fracture. After that it is a "simple" matter of recementing and rebuilding. He would be the guy to ask. However, mail him first, as you would have to go through customs hassle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted July 4, 2015 Share #13 Posted July 4, 2015 CRR Luton show rebuilding of M3 rangefinders on their website although it looks like cost can be high. They also show variations of the M3 rangefinder so finding a broken donor M3 might not be as easy as it sounds since the rangefinder might be different to the one you have. I wouldn't despair though as it looks as though there are a number of repairers who can work on M3 rangefinders. And FWIW using a moder adhesive to re-glue prisms should give them an even longer future life! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 4, 2015 Share #14 Posted July 4, 2015 OP, I don't know where you are located but IIRC DAG (dagcamera.com) and Youxin Ye (yyecamera.com) offer recementing of M rangefinder prisms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvf Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted July 4, 2015 I agree with the idea of just using it and have fun, the worst may never happen. But at the same time create a saved search on Ebay for a 'spares or repair M3' Steve Yes, but it is hard to focus my M3, and while it doesn't seem dim it likely is a bit now so that may be the reason. It certainly is not bright. I use a diopter and a magnifier, may take the magnifier off, I think the it's the diopter that helps more . So, if it quickly got dimmer and harder to focus, (if that in fact is what's making it difficult to focus), I'd have to do something then. By the way, Why have those who suggested Leica for a re-build of the ViewFiner when and if it's necessary said Leica Wetzlar instead of Leica USA? They have a more extensive Repair Dept? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvf Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted July 4, 2015 I'm trying to recall a hazy memory here, but I'm sure I once read that CRR in Luton are particularly good with the actual rangefinder - for example if my memory serves they can resilver the prisms. It might be worth your seeking their advice. Yes, I've heard that too and I just took a look at their site recently and they do re-silver the prisms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvf Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted July 4, 2015 OP, I don't know where you are located but IIRC DAG (dagcamera.com) and Youxin Ye (yyecamera.com) offer recementing of M rangefinder prisms. Thanks, so does Sherry Krauter where I had it "diagnosed" but she said it was unfixable. I speak to her again soon and will ask why, but I assume she means lack of so many parts as mine needs. It needs more than re-cementing. It may be possible if she means that, a large Leica repair might have them. If it comes to needing that work done, I hope one or more does. It also needs a "case" she said. I'm ignorant as to what that is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted July 4, 2015 Share #18 Posted July 4, 2015 Yes, I've heard that too and I just took a look at their site recently and they do re-silver the prisms. If you are considering CCR take the time to send them a letter explaining your problem. It's advisable to be in contact first before sending the camera and as was explained to me, if you are outside of the UK prepare for some steep import fees. Since a very qualified technician has already looked at your camera, ask for a detailed list of what is wrong. Chances are if Sherry Krauter can't fix it then you will be lucky if anyone else can. There is a repair form for Leica Customer Service located through the main web site. Once you know why it's unfixable, Leica will give you some indication if they can. Good luck, welcome to the forum and if it can't be fixed there are more M bodies out there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 4, 2015 Share #19 Posted July 4, 2015 Will van Manen has been known to repair separation. The scary part is to prise the two offending pieces apart - there is always the unavoidable risk of fracture.. Are not the parts joined using Canadian balsam so they can be easily separated by placing in cool water and then raising temp until they separate naturally? I have done that with old lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted July 4, 2015 Share #20 Posted July 4, 2015 … By the way, Why have those who suggested Leica for a re-build of the ViewFiner when and if it's necessary said Leica Wetzlar instead of Leica USA? They have a more extensive Repair Dept? The factory in Wetzlar is Leica's 'mothership' where cameras are originally manufactured whereas although the USA centre at Allendale has a certain facility for repairs it's not in the same league as Wetzlar. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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