peplovesu Posted June 13, 2020 Share #1 Posted June 13, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just recently bought a Leica M3 from a reputable online ebay store. But when i got it i notice that the rangefinder patch has spots on it. I was wondering if this is normal and can be fixed by CLA, or I should return it? My other M3 doesn't have this, so i'm concerned. Thank you in advance. 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! IMG_5641.HEIC IMG_5642.HEIC Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! IMG_5641.HEIC IMG_5642.HEIC ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/310532-leica-m3-rangefinder-patch-spot/?do=findComment&comment=3992357'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 13, 2020 Posted June 13, 2020 Hi peplovesu, Take a look here Leica M3 Rangefinder Patch spot. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Mute-on Posted June 13, 2020 Share #2 Posted June 13, 2020 Quite possibly the frame line glass sandwich delaminating. I had this happen on an M4. Can’t be repaired, only replaced. I would return. Good luck. J Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted June 13, 2020 Share #3 Posted June 13, 2020 Not normal. I'd either learn to live with it, immediately return it, or demand a significant discount to have it replaced in a CLA by a competent repairperson.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted June 13, 2020 Share #4 Posted June 13, 2020 FYI, the M3 frameline mask is NLA. The earliest mask available will probably be M4P, which is all metal, not a glass sandwich. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
105012 Posted June 13, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 13, 2020 It’s repairable with a CLA from one of the top shops, but I’d be talking to the vendor if this was not described properly in the sales listing. There are plenty of other M3’s out there in great condition... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted June 13, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 13, 2020 The price of a rangefinder restoration is £155 plus return shipping to the UK. https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/post/leica-rangefinder-rebuild-and-why-you-might-need-one Your camera clearly needs a rangefinder restoration so I would request a refund from the seller to cover the cost, unless the rangefinder condition was noted in the advertisement and the price reduced accordingly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted June 14, 2020 Share #7 Posted June 14, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 15 hours ago, andrew01 said: The price of a rangefinder restoration is £155 plus return shipping to the UK. https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/post/leica-rangefinder-rebuild-and-why-you-might-need-one Your camera clearly needs a rangefinder restoration so I would request a refund from the seller to cover the cost, unless the rangefinder condition was noted in the advertisement and the price reduced accordingly. To clarify my initial post, if only the focus patch has the appearance spots or hairs, but the rest of the area outside the focus patch is clean and clear, this is a sign the frameline mask is deteriorating. It is not a sign that the rangefinder prism is delaminating or desilvering. Therefore, it might be misleading to say that a rangefinder restoration will solve the OP’s issue. However, Cameraworks does offer a replacement frameline mask (£116) for M3, which would address the issue if it is the frameline mask delaminating... https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/post/2017/09/08/improving-the-leica-m2-rangefinder-or-why-you-need-a-fta-brightline-mask Best of luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted June 15, 2020 Share #8 Posted June 15, 2020 Thanks for clarifying, this is useful to know. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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