mediumformula Posted November 2, 2022 Share #1  Posted November 2, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought an M3 from a known camera seller that I have bought from in the past. The camera arrived today but it has an issue with the rangefinder patch. I tried to take a picture of it with my phone to show the issue. It looks like cracks or spider webs on the range finder patch. I assume the it is the beam splitter deteriorating. How normal is this? This was NOT listed in the product description. I'm thinking of sending the camera back and looking for one that doesn't have this issue.  Is this something that can be resolved with a CLA? 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! 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/344129-bought-my-first-m3-but-thinking-of-returning-it/?do=findComment&comment=4553164'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 2, 2022 Posted November 2, 2022 Hi mediumformula, Take a look here Bought my first M3 but thinking of returning it. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Mikep996 Posted November 2, 2022 Share #2 Â Posted November 2, 2022 If it wasn't mentioned/shown in the listing AND it is unacceptable to you, don't even hesitate, send it back! Â 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted November 2, 2022 Share #3 Â Posted November 2, 2022 The M3 dates from 1954, so the camera is around 60 to 70 years old. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mediumformula Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share #4  Posted November 2, 2022 3 minutes ago, jankap said: The M3 dates from 1954, so the camera is around 60 to 70 years old. I know. The one I bought dates to 1963. I also have a Leica II that is 90 years old and doesn't have this issue. I'm trying to determine if this is normal for an M3. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 2, 2022 Share #5 Â Posted November 2, 2022 Send it back! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted November 2, 2022 Share #6  Posted November 2, 2022 Not normal, return it. I recently had to return an M3 for a similar undisclosed problem. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted November 2, 2022 Share #7 Â Posted November 2, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Send that nonsense back! Â 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mediumformula Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share #8  Posted November 3, 2022 Thanks for the replies. I'm going to return it. It also has someone's name scratched in the top plate.... that also wasn't mentioned in the description.  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mshchem Posted November 3, 2022 Share #9 Â Posted November 3, 2022 I had something similar, it required cleaning. It was a mildew/fungus. I got lucky, it cleaned up great, but your example looks quite a bit more visible. Not good. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted November 3, 2022 Share #10  Posted November 3, 2022 1 hour ago, mediumformula said:  It also has someone's name scratched in the top plate.... that also wasn't mentioned in the description.  Were there any pictures of the camera supplied to you before you bought it? I would think that the name in the top plate would have been obvious if there were. Either way, I'd skip that dealer when looking to purchase camera gear in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mediumformula Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share #11  Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, logan2z said: Were there any pictures of the camera supplied to you before you bought it? I would think that the name in the top plate would have been obvious if there were. Either way, I'd skip that dealer when looking to purhase camera gear in the future. There were pictures but the scratched in name is not visible in them. You can see it here. It's cursive lettering. 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! Edited November 3, 2022 by mediumformula 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/344129-bought-my-first-m3-but-thinking-of-returning-it/?do=findComment&comment=4553396'>More sharing options...
ejg1890 Posted November 3, 2022 Share #12  Posted November 3, 2022 6 hours ago, mediumformula said: I know. The one I bought dates to 1963. I also have a Leica II that is 90 years old and doesn't have this issue. I'm trying to determine if this is normal for an M3. Thank you. no its not normal. As others have said send it back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted November 3, 2022 Share #13 Â Posted November 3, 2022 Back, back, back....and skip that dealer in the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted November 3, 2022 Share #14  Posted November 3, 2022 1 hour ago, mediumformula said: There were pictures but the scratched in name is not visible in them. You can see it here. It's cursive lettering. 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! That is a dealer I would avoid at all costs moving forward. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted November 3, 2022 Share #15 Â Posted November 3, 2022 The dealer should be named and shamed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted November 3, 2022 Share #16  Posted November 3, 2022 Not the beam splitter, but the frameline mask glass sandwich delaminating. Requires replacement to rectify. Return and see if you can acquire an M3 locally that you can inspect first. Everything else will be a lottery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayD28 Posted November 3, 2022 Share #17 Â Posted November 3, 2022 The dealer (or an assistant) might have made a mistake, although the problems are obvious. Â A reputable dealer should accept the return without quibble and issue a refund and cover return postage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mediumformula Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share #18  Posted November 3, 2022 I was emailing with the dealer last night. They were acting a little odd.... I told them I'm going to mail camera back today. We'll see what happens lol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleE Posted November 3, 2022 Share #19  Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) There are still plenty of M3s around that have excellent viewfinders and honest wear (as opposed to abuse like carving a name in the top plate). I would also highly recommend getting one with a recent CLA, or else with the price adjusted to cover a servicing (around $400) because if it hasn't had one recently, it will need it.   Edited November 3, 2022 by DoubleE 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mediumformula Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share #20  Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, DoubleE said: There are still plenty of M3s around that have excellent viewfinders and honest wear (as opposed to abuse like carving a name in the top plate). I would also highly recommend getting one with a recent CLA, or else with the price adjusted to cover a servicing (around $400) because if it hasn't had one recently, it will need it.   Oddly, this camera was listed as having a CLA done in 2022.... That was part of the reason I bought it.  Anyway the camera is already in the mail back to the seller. Edited November 3, 2022 by mediumformula 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now