Leica M3 frame lines

[Stormrider_1]

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Hi,

First I like to thank all for interesting topics and subjects.

Recently I came across two Leica M film cameras, one M2 -60, and one M3 -59.

It showed to my surprise the M3 have frame line setup - 35/50/90 AND 135 mm!

I asked my CLA technician and his response was - Its unique, never heard of.!

I believe some previous owner, let made some modification..  to M4 (my guess).

When and where is a mystery..

I have contacted Leica, but no registered information at their end.

Appreciate your comments and thoughts,

Picture;

M2 - Summitar 5 cm/2

M3 - Summaron 35/2.8

Thanks,

 

 

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[earleygallery]

Welcome to the forum.

Such modifications crop up here from time to time. The M3 rangefinder is prone to failure (separation of elements) and a fix is to fit the finder from a later model, which is most likely what has happened in this case.

[Stormrider_1]

Thanks for sharing James,

The M3 rangefinder is bright and chrystal clear, same goes for the M2.

//Henrik

[Aryel]

Hi,

interesting, did you check if the viewfinder magnification of your m3 is 0.91?

You should be able to see a clear difference against your M2. 

[Stormrider_1]

Hi Aryel,

Having them side by side, or over each other it seems they share same magnification.

I can't judge any difference.

 

//Henrik

[earleygallery]

6 hours ago, Stormrider_1 said:

Thanks for sharing James,

The M3 rangefinder is bright and chrystal clear, same goes for the M2.

//Henrik

Yes, it should be. As I said above, the original finder in your M3 has been replaced with a later unit.

[dpitt]

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If you can see 35 mm frames it can not be 0.91 so it is 'upgraded'
Depends what you want from your M3. For me the .91 RF is the main selling point for the M3.

Is this M3 still double stroke ? AFAIK all dog ear models were released as DS.

[JMF]

On 1/18/2023 at 7:23 PM, dpitt said:

If you can see 35 mm frames it can not be 0.91 so it is 'upgraded'
Depends what you want from your M3. For me the .91 RF is the main selling point for the M3.

Is this M3 still double stroke ? AFAIK all dog ear models were released as DS.

Some dog ear 1959 M3s were manufactured as single stroke ones .