Recommended version of Leica M3

[kivis]

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On 12/29/2019 at 2:15 PM, earleygallery said:

Just buy the best condition example you can find for what you can pay. Be prepared to pay for a CLA if you don’t buy from a reputable dealer (you may not need to but if you buy on a ‘no return’ basis factor it into the cost just in case).

I took the opposite approach on my last M3. I got a real beater for $600 then did a complete overhaul. Now I am good for the 20-30 years at a cheaper price.

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[sixteen pads]

10 hours ago, kivis said:

I took the opposite approach on my last M3. I got a real beater for $600 then did a complete overhaul. Now I am good for the 20-30 years at a cheaper price.

Hey Kivis, 

Good for you. 

DO you mind sharing where you did the CLA and how much it ended up being ? 
Thank you

[kivis]

On 2/29/2020 at 6:25 PM, sixteen pads said:

Hey Kivis, 

Good for you. 

DO you mind sharing where you did the CLA and how much it ended up being ? 
Thank you

Youxin Ye, cost $480 for a thorough CLA, new covering and repair and replace a few parts.

[Bill Clark]

I own a double stroke M3. Haven’t had to do anything with it. I don’t mind a double stroke camera as I don’t usually try to advance the film in one stroke with any of my 35 film cameras. I’m not in a big rush to advance the film to the next frame. I use a ratchet style of advance taking little increments. I started doing this a long time ago as I could advance the film while looking through the view finder. Gives me time to think sbout how I want the next photo to look.  So far, every 35 film camera I have either owned or currently own works that way. 

Edited May 16, 2020 by Bill Clark