Leica M3-DS eyepiece modification

[MrHaiku7]

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Hello, 

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with knowing if it is possible to modify a Leica M3 DS eyepiece. I know that SS Leica M3’s have a larger eyepiece area with the DS Leica M3’s containing what appears to be an ‘inner’ smaller metal ring. 
 

I was curious if it would be possible to remove this inner ring on a DS so that the eyepiece view is more larger like that of a SS M3. Soon I may be able to purchase a Leica M3 DS example, hence the curiosity.

 

any input greatly appreciated.

 

thankyou for your time everyone.

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[105012]

From 854,001 and up to 950,350 (so DS and some, but not all, spring return SS) the rangefinder eyepiece has a retaining ring. The earliest DS have a multipart design. After 950,350 it’s a one piece unit, and this is where the larger eyepiece was introduced. 

So if you can access a post 950,350 rangefinder eyepiece, then it could probably be adapted to the earlier body? I have one M3 with the mid-range eyepiece and two with the later one. Although if I look for it I can see the difference, in practice I don’t notice, so it’s honestly not important to me in everyday use...

[MrHaiku7]

Dear 105012, 

 

Thankyou for taking the time to respond to my question. Your input is greatly appreciated. I think perhaps the difference between having a larger/smaller eyepiece may perhaps not be a dealbreaker in practice. 
 

I do wear glasses, but in practice I think the viewing experience should be effectively the same. I have seen some early example DS M3’s in the 7000 range, quite tempting to get a clean body. 
 

You’ve certainly given me something to mull over. I think I’m certainly down the Leica Rabbit hole now! 
 

appreciate your response, thanks once again.

[105012]

2 hours ago, MrHaiku7 said:

I do wear glasses, but in practice I think the viewing experience should be effectively the same. I have seen some early example DS M3’s in the 7000 range, quite tempting to get a clean body. 

I don't wear glasses for mid-long range vision, so that is a good point you raise: maybe this was an important change for those who wear glasses? Note that from 950,350 until the end of production in 1966 there were no further changes to the rangefinder eyepiece on the M3.

[jerzy]

single stroke was introduced with 919250, some of double strike have been modified for singfle stroke during repair or conversion.

eyepiece was modfied with 854xxx, until eyepiece was just a ring, later it contained a lens. If you will have small eypiece it may be modified but requires spares and partial disassemvly of camera.
You need to: remove top cover, remove brass plate shown on upper photo and get new eypiece with lens inside (photo  bottom, roght). Photo bottom left shows componenets of older type, orange is lens which is screwed into brass plate, blue shows eypiece which is just a ring. Thread in top cover is the same so eypiece with lens will fit.

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[MrHaiku7]

Dear Jerzy, 

Thankyou for this invaluable information and detailed schematics. It seems that modification is certainly possible bearing spare parts. This begs the question would a specialist like cameraworks uk be willing to take on such a modification. 
 

you’ve certainly given me something to ponder. Although I do have a nagging feeling obtaining the required spares could be problematic, perhaps even for specialist repair services. 
 

your insights have been truly illuminating and very much appreciated. Many thanks.