does the original L seal add value to an M3

[someonenameddavid]

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So my favourite camera of all time a DS M3 has a few top plate bright marks and a few on the baseplate. The vulcanite is perfect but a little rubbing on the back from the ERC. Viewfinder is a little dim as is the rangefinder. The L seal is intact. So given it is a nice user, not rare, and would be nicer as a brighter rangefinder... is there any loss of value to having it... opened up (I was going to say "deflowered" but that might not translate into German).

 

 

Thanks, David

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[jc_braconi]

So my favourite camera of all time a DS M3 has a few top plate bright marks and a few on the baseplate. The vulcanite is perfect but a little rubbing on the back from the ERC. Viewfinder is a little dim as is the rangefinder. The L seal is intact. So given it is a nice user, not rare, and would be nicer as a brighter rangefinder... is there any loss of value to having it... opened up (I was going to say "deflowered" but that might not translate into German).

 

 

Thanks, David

IMHO,the original seal add value if the camera is in mint to new condition and every thing working well, but a CLAed camera, for a user, is an added value.

[doubice]

David,

 

As J.C. says - a camera in 'user' condition will have better value if serviced; not too many users will care about the 'L' seal.

 

I used to have a mint chrome M4 with an original Wetzlar 'L' seal; never used it (M6 and M5 were the main users at the time) but made sure that I 'exersized' the camera regularly so that it did not have to be 'deflowered' .

 

You can always send the camera to Solms for the service and request that it comes back with an 'L' seal. Doing that however, would probably cost you triple of what the likes of DAG or Sherry Krauter would charge.

 

All the best,

 

Jan

[Philippe D.]

Hi,

You can always send the camera to Solms for the service and request that it comes back with an 'L' seal.

If i remember right, the original L is of the seal in relief, it's in new state. If the L is deepened, it has been serviced by Leitz.

The seal can also have another letter engraved, depending who had made service.

Y stand for Leitz New York, C Leitz Midland, B for Leitz London, etc.

[chilihead]

I had an M4 with the original seal and the viewfinder was a little hazy so I sent it to DAG for a CLA - it came back so perfect and smooth that I marvel at it every time I use it - so - it is either - keep stupid little wax plug - or - have, use, and enjoy perfect crisp D.S. M3. Hmmmm...

[someonenameddavid]

So I take all the valid points made... How much does one expect to pay for a CLA from Sherry Krauter versus Leitz. And what viewfinder upgrades could I have made? I paid $450 for this beastie with a collapsible Summicron.. best purchase of my photographic career at a yard sale in Tulsa Oklahoma...(mind you I missed buying an ermanox with the ernostar f1.8 lens for $75 in 1983 because i had just bought a Nikkor 105/2.5 for $100 and the wife asked me which kind of dog house I preferred... still married to the same patient woman)

 

 

David

[andybarton]

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I had my M2 CLAd by Leica UK about 18 months ago, and IIRC, I paid about £150 (that would have been about $250 at the time)

 

I am sure that Sherry Krauter will give you an indication if you call her.

[gvaliquette]

I am sure that Sherry Krauter will give you an indication if you call her.

 

BTW, here is her web site:

 

Sherry Krauter.com -- Home of the Golden Touch.   

 

Guy

[chris_livsey]

I had my M2 CLAd by Leica UK about 18 months ago, and IIRC, I paid about £150 (that would have been about $250 at the time)

.

 

For accuracy I should add that I contacted Leica UK (MK) today and spoke to the M technician who said turnaround times were good and I should look at around £300 for CLA on my latest M2 acquisition depending on work required (still has L seal intact).

[earleygallery]

I had a similar figure (£300+ depending on work) quoted by Leica. I'd take it to an indy repairer, you'll pay around half that.

[chris_livsey]

I had a similar figure (£300+ depending on work) quoted by Leica. I'd take it to an indy repairer, you'll pay around half that.

 

That was my plan in the new year,but after the £150 quote from Andy it was worth a call I thought to check. Perhaps the thread needs re-naming "does a Leica Service add value to an M* ?"

 

The M2 in question is working on all speeds visually, not pushed a film through to check, but is "rough" on winding compared to my recently serviced other M2 and the price I paid £225, allowed for a service.

[Rona!d]

You could also get an M6 finder at the Leica customer service. But that costs (much!) extra to the CLA-prize and in that case you won´t need an L-seal anymore (except you want to show, it had been serviced by Leica company). CLA prizes also vary, cause nearly no camera only needs CLA, most of them need some extra work after all these years. It´s worth the money if you want to use that camera. I´m pretty happy about how smooth my DS M3 works now. They left the service-L-seal after the camera also had the original production L-seal before service.

 

And what viewfinder upgrades could I have made?