PDA

View Full Version : My Latest M Frankenleica...

BillBlackwell
11-27-2008, 13:14
M3-6

Ohhh nooooo... It's alive!!!!!

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8302957&size=lg
LChanyungco
11-27-2008, 13:33
I like it, it looks like a factory released limited edition :)
HSI
11-27-2008, 14:22
It's so ugly.
Hahahahaha.
Nugard
11-27-2008, 15:15
Very-very niiice)))


http://img1.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/b/3/22/907/22907762_2.jpg
ferider
11-27-2008, 15:20
Quite cool :) Is the RF vertically adjustable through the cover screw ?
thomasw_
11-27-2008, 15:22
Bill,

That is beautiful in appearance. Which VF does it have? Did DAG do the conversion?
BillBlackwell
11-27-2008, 16:54
... Which VF does it have? Did DAG do the conversion?

It is a standard .72 M6 finder (the original camera was a black M6 classic). I picked up the topcover on eBay and DAG did the CLA, MP RF upgrade, etc.

... Is the RF vertically adjustable through the cover screw?

Yes.
maddoc
11-27-2008, 17:06
Your M3-6 reminds me of the M6J ... :eek: Very nice your "Frankenleica" !:cool:
Justin Low
11-28-2008, 03:09
Very nice. The screwmount Summicron too.

The hotshoe isn't original, is it?
Double Negative
11-28-2008, 05:22
The hotshoe isn't original, is it?

Not unless they put TTL in those ol' things. ;)
ray*j*gun
11-28-2008, 06:23
:angel: Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!!! Will we see it in the classifieds?
LeicaTom
11-28-2008, 06:49
That`s a nice M3 top, unstamped one`s are really hard to find.......

I`m making one of these too shortly.......with M3 lugs and a faux self timer, only thing non M3 on the external parts will be the hotshoe and the rear door. :)
*I just have to find someone who engraves the Leitz serial numbers on the hotshoes, while my donor camera is a black chrome M6 and I`m using a blanko sliver chrome hotshoe - I was told Leitz doesn`t do this anymore?*

Tom
rlouzan
11-28-2008, 10:47
How about Tonaya (ebay)

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
*I just have to find someone who engraves the Leitz serial numbers on the hotshoes, while my donor camera is a black chrome M6 and I`m using a blanko sliver chrome hotshoe - I was told Leitz doesn`t do this anymore?*

Tom
Ken Ford
11-28-2008, 11:47
I have an unfinished M4-2 top for a similar purpose... if I ever get around to it (doubtful). Mine would be black paint or powdercoated.

If I could find an M3 top I'd probably get off my butt and do it!
BillBlackwell
11-28-2008, 11:52
... Will we see it in the classifieds?

Not a chance! I have way too much time and $ tied up into this one.

... The screwmount Summicron too...

It's not a screw mount Summicron. It is a LHSA special edition form 2003 (M mount).

... The hotshoe isn't original, is it?

I refuse to testify on the grounds that I might incriminate myself...
BillBlackwell
11-28-2008, 12:00
I seriously considered replacing the hot shoe with an M3/2/4 accessory shoe, but the camera would then lack a serial number altogether - and I didn't want that.

Now if we could all gang up on DAG to break out his engraving machine, then we would be on to something. But he tells me it's a non-starter because it would put him even further behind (he needs to teach himself how to use it).
BillBlackwell
11-28-2008, 12:05
... If I could find an M3 top I'd probably get off my butt and do it!

Keep your eyes on eBay - they show up on occasion, but they're usually refurbed and black painted. I passed up an M2 topcover (I've sort of been kicking myself over that) before settling on this one.
Ken Ford
11-29-2008, 22:19
Keep your eyes on eBay - they show up on occasion, but they're usually refurbed and black painted. I passed up an M2 topcover (I've sort of been kicking myself over that) before settling on this one.

I'd actually prefer a black one! Any idea how much they've been selling for?
Debusti Paolo
11-30-2008, 02:19
BillBlackWell,how much did you paid it???
Ron (Netherlands)
11-30-2008, 05:54
Keep your eyes on eBay - they show up on occasion, but they're usually refurbed and black painted. I passed up an M2 topcover (I've sort of been kicking myself over that) before settling on this one.

Can you give us a bit more info on the different steps to proceed when doing such a (very nice and pro) job. How about the shell? - was it the same length as the M3 top????
Travis L.
11-30-2008, 06:31
My buddy Greg Metzcar did this several years ago with an M6 body and an original MP top plate and Leicavit.

Looks Great!

Travis
thomasw_
11-30-2008, 07:47
Hi Bill ---- Does the MP ,72 VF have the standard 6 brightlines or did you customize the framelines? Such a beauty! TW.
michaelbialecki
11-30-2008, 08:14
Hey Bill,

Your camera is so cool.....I want one........

cheers, Michael
BillBlackwell
11-30-2008, 17:39
--- Does the MP .72 VF have the standard 6 brightlines or did you customize the framelines?

The standard MP .72 finder has the same framelines as those in an M6. In my case, I kept the standard .72 configuration (six framelines).


Can you give us a bit more info on the different steps to proceed when doing such a (very nice and pro) job. How about the shell? - was it the same length as the M3 top????

It's really as simple as obtaining a base camera to work with (in this case, a "user" M6) and replacing the topcover. Any M topcover will fit on any M camera (with the exception of the TTL - M6TTL and M7 topcovers are interchangeable).

There is a slight modification required using an M3/2 topcover so the front part can slide undernieth the lens mount. Plus the RW mechanism needs to be changed out from the M4/6 "slanted" style to the M3/2 "post" style.

In my case, since I started with a black chrome camera, all of the knobs, shutter speed dial, etc. needed to be replaced to match the chrome topcover - or I could have settled for a "panda" look (but that's not what I wanted).


... how much did you pay for it???

Sorry, but I will not discuss in open forum how much money I have into it. All I will tell you is that it's probably more than you think!
Debusti Paolo
12-01-2008, 05:04
:eek:WOW Wow a lot of money!!!! I'm thinking big numbers....You're a very rich man....so remember of me for next xmast!!!!:D
LeicaTom
12-01-2008, 09:33
Yeah, I know doing this conversion is`nt cheap........I`m going to have quite a bit invested in mine too, but I think it`s worth it.

I don`t like the new MP and the MP3 and M6J are outrageously priced collectors items, nothing to work with everyday.

Tom
Gabriel M.A.
12-01-2008, 09:54
Cool. I'd say it's a Frankenpanda.
Ken Ford
12-06-2008, 07:34
Can I ask what a fair price would be for a NSN M3 top? I'd be painting it, so it wouldn't have to be pristine.
BillBlackwell
12-06-2008, 13:46
Can I ask what a fair price would be for a NSN M3 top? I'd be painting it, so it wouldn't have to be pristine.

Fair price? Probably less that I paid - $275 ("Tonya" on eBay).

But the truth is they are getting harder and harder to find in any condition. I will tell you that if you plan on painting it, you can get a pretty trashy looking topcover to look pristine once it's painted because you can straighten it out and use fillers.

Shintaro, for example, has worked some pretty good magic of some old beaten topcovers. Just remember, if you paint the top you need to paint everything. And the more changes you make to the original camera the more expensive it gets.

This is my third Frankenleica, and probably the last - each one got more expensive to do (mainly because of the parts I needed to replace). Of course, DAG did the work on it.
Ken Ford
12-06-2008, 13:56
Thanks, Bill - I'll have to keep an eye out for a beater top.

I have two reasons for wanting to do what you did:

1. The cosmetics; and

2. I find I'm more likely to keep my grubby digits off the VF glass with my Me than with my M6.