StephenH Posted May 9, 2020 Share #1 Posted May 9, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) A few years ago, I bought a used (obviously) M3 from B&H in nyc. Armed with a little bit (ie dangerous) amount of knowledge, i knew enough to check the alignment and accuracy of the rangefinder--it was and is perfect--and the general look and feel of the camera, which was clean and smooth operating. It is a single stroke model with a high (above 1m) S/N. I treated myself to a brand new Zeiss 50mm f 2.0 Planar and ran a couple of rolls through it to check the shutter accuracy and focusing. I was satisfied that the camera was up to snuff and I still have and enjoy the camera. But I don't think it is what it appears to be. While it has a single stroke mechanism with the telltale longer advance lever, it has the "buddha ear" strap lugs, the older style film reminder and the decimal shutter speed dial--(1/10th, 1/100th). However, the rangefinder patch has the depth of field "notches" which I understand came later. And what may be a clue--the bottom plate appears to be new but seems to be OEM. Has anyone encountered a camera with this combination of features? I am guessing that this was the work of a skilled repairman who cobbled the camera together from spare parts, complete with a salvaged top plate with a high s/n and bottom plate. Fortunately for me, the camera works beautifully and I am happy with the results. Thoughts? 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! 1 Quote 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/309357-frankensteined-m3/?do=findComment&comment=3970014'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 9, 2020 Posted May 9, 2020 Hi StephenH, Take a look here Frankensteined M3?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
105012 Posted May 9, 2020 Share #2 Posted May 9, 2020 Does the frame counter have the solid index mark? Those were present up to around 785k serial number. Could be that the body is a converted double stroke (Leitz would do this conversion on request back in the day) with new top and bottom plates. The early shutter speed dial would agree (up to 854k), however the notched rangefinder would also be a replacement (whole part), from 919k or later. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenH Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted May 9, 2020 Thank you for the reply. The frame counter is the later style, chrome with a black painted outline. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giannis Posted May 10, 2020 Share #4 Posted May 10, 2020 Don't overthink it. Apart from changes happening throughout production (usually unannounced), some parts could have been changed by Leica through normal CLA years later, using newer parts. Either due to lack of parts, or due to a request for "upgrade" by the client. Same could be done at a skilled repairman. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommonego@gmail.com Posted May 12, 2020 Share #5 Posted May 12, 2020 My 1957 M3 has been modified (better term than Frankensteined, I think) along the way. All seems to be an improvements for me except the extra strap lug, it has been resurfaced, I prefer the standard factory coating. But the M4 rangefinder, and single stroke work for me. 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! 2 Quote 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/309357-frankensteined-m3/?do=findComment&comment=3972038'>More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 13, 2020 Share #6 Posted May 13, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 9:59 AM, tommonego@gmail.com said: My 1957 M3 has been modified (better term than Frankensteined, I think) along the way. All seems to be an improvements for me except the extra strap lug, it has been resurfaced, I prefer the standard factory coating. But the M4 rangefinder, and single stroke work for me. Is that extra strap lug welded to the bottom plate? Or the chases itself? Thought that the joy the M3 was the 0.91x VF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommonego@gmail.com Posted May 13, 2020 Share #7 Posted May 13, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) vor einer Stunde schrieb james.liam: Is that extra strap lug welded to the bottom plate? Or the chases itself? Thought that the joy the M3 was the 0.91x VF. It is riveted to the body, 35mm is my favorite focal length, so I am happy with the M4 finder. I had an M2 with an M4 finder and another with a standard finder, used them for 30 years so I am comfortable with it even with glasses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 13, 2020 Share #8 Posted May 13, 2020 3 hours ago, tommonego@gmail.com said: It is riveted to the body, 35mm is my favorite focal length, so I am happy with the M4 finder. I had an M2 with an M4 finder and another with a standard finder, used them for 30 years so I am comfortable with it even with glasses. Then why didn't you get and M4? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommonego@gmail.com Posted May 14, 2020 Share #9 Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) I inherited this camera from a good friend who past. She was a wonderful photographer turned painter who I went to college with. I helped her buy this in probably 1971 or 1972. So I wasn't looking for a film Leica but got one (require a new shutter after sitting in an attic for 25 years). So out of respect for her I started running film through it, I used M2s for 30+ years and handling this was like coming home. Figured out how to do film processing without a darkroom so........ Discovering how it was modified was fun, had to get rid of that funky wire between the two strap lugs was the first. Found I had a copy of my favorite neck strap I could use, a Contax SLR stock strap, simple 3/8 inch nylon. so that is on it now. Edited May 14, 2020 by tommonego@gmail.com 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuS Posted August 31, 2020 Share #10 Posted August 31, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 9:59 AM, tommonego@gmail.com said: My 1957 M3 has been modified (better term than Frankensteined, I think) along the way. All seems to be an improvements for me except the extra strap lug, it has been resurfaced, I prefer the standard factory coating. But the M4 rangefinder, and single stroke work for me. 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! My M3 is VERY similar to yours Tommonego - it has SS, DOF finder and decimal speeds with old film speed dial on back door - its also very close to yours in SN: 731482 only 161 cameras between them! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted August 31, 2020 Share #11 Posted August 31, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 2:59 PM, tommonego@gmail.com said: My 1957 M3 has been modified (better term than Frankensteined, I think) along the way. My sort of camera - one which has been used and adjusted to suit its owner. Originality impaired - great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym3 Posted September 4, 2020 Share #12 Posted September 4, 2020 On 5/9/2020 at 1:30 PM, StephenH said: A few years ago, I bought a used (obviously) M3 from B&H in nyc. Armed with a little bit (ie dangerous) amount of knowledge, i knew enough to check the alignment and accuracy of the rangefinder--it was and is perfect--and the general look and feel of the camera, which was clean and smooth operating. It is a single stroke model with a high (above 1m) S/N. I treated myself to a brand new Zeiss 50mm f 2.0 Planar and ran a couple of rolls through it to check the shutter accuracy and focusing. I was satisfied that the camera was up to snuff and I still have and enjoy the camera. But I don't think it is what it appears to be. While it has a single stroke mechanism with the telltale longer advance lever, it has the "buddha ear" strap lugs, the older style film reminder and the decimal shutter speed dial--(1/10th, 1/100th). However, the rangefinder patch has the depth of field "notches" which I understand came later. And what may be a clue--the bottom plate appears to be new but seems to be OEM. Has anyone encountered a camera with this combination of features? I am guessing that this was the work of a skilled repairman who cobbled the camera together from spare parts, complete with a salvaged top plate with a high s/n and bottom plate. Fortunately for me, the camera works beautifully and I am happy with the results. Thoughts? 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym3 Posted September 4, 2020 Share #13 Posted September 4, 2020 I have a double stroke 'BHUDDA EARS" M-3 that I sent to LEITZ at the ROCKLEIGH,N.J. facility in 1973.for repair. LEITZ sent an estimate which included single stroke advance. I cannot recall the other modifications however conversions were common. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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