M3 gamble- worth it?

the lobster · 07-21-2005

Well, I knew something would happen to give me more GAS!

I have the chance to pick up an M3 DS for $349.

The bad news is that the rangefinder second image is dim.

I have done some research online regarding the rangefinder decementing, the canadian balsam, etc. This particular camera has this situation:

The second image is dim, not nearly as bright as my M5. But, there are no black lines or bars visible in the image. The black bars seem to be the "decementing signal" as far as I have read. When looking at the exterior of the camera, the illuminating window (the middle of the 3) seems dirty.

My hope is that all it needs is a cleaning to restore the image to brightness. Am I being naive?

I figure if I get it for $349 and tack a CLA on top of it, I would still come out in good shape if the cleaning really is all it needs. Because if I purchased one for $700 or $800, I would still get A CLA unless it recently had one, and then the price would probably be higher. Man, I can ramble!

What I am getting at is:
Does anyone have a feeling (for or against) regarding taking the risk?

Does anyone have an experience (success or failure) with the specific situation I described with the camera?

Thanks for reading.

SolaresLarrave · 07-21-2005

I'd grab it. A CLA can cost you between $180 and $200. And after that, if you're not too crazy about it, you still can sell it at a low price, and make a profit.

I was lucky enough to find mine in a store for $495, only because it was cosmetically challenged. A change of leather and it's ready for the world!

Except for the dings on the top plate... but that doesn't affect function.

I'd say go for it.

But don't blame me... Blame it on Brian!

He's proud of being a "bad" influence...

Brian Sweeney · 07-21-2005

Grab it; I have had Essex turn an M3 finder like you describe into one that looks like a Heads-up-Display. $350+~$200, shipping, you should come in will under $600.

Just to add: It is not much of a gamble, I have seen parts cameras go for more.

taffer · 07-21-2005

Grab it !

yesterday a beaten up M3 SS in REAL need of a CLA (dried up lubricants) went for more than $500.

tajart · 07-21-2005

or just stick a 15 superwide on it and don't worry about the viewfinder

Ben Z · 07-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by the lobster

When looking at the exterior of the camera, the illuminating window (the middle of the 3) seems dirty.

Where you want to look is deep into the small window to the left of the illuminating window (not just the inner surface of the window itself), making sure the eyepiece is receiving bright light from behind. You will see a sort of mirrored image, and my guess is that you will see spots, blotches, "tarnish", on it. According to DAG, the pre-emininent factory-trained Leica repairman in the USA, the vast majority of time he can clean it up and the secondary image will come at least 90% back to like-new. Additionally, I've seen many M3s where the inside of the front viewfinder window has what looks like a crazed film on it, which also cleans off.

That's the good news. The bad news is, how is the condition of the DS winding head? Unlike the SS head which can be repaired, the DS head has to be replaced (with a SS) if it slips. IIRC the head is several hundred dollars, plus the usual cost of a complete overhaul.

the lobster · 07-21-2005

Well, I went for it today. The pros outweighed the cons (in my mind anyway!).

I have watched some "needy" M3s go for more on Ebay, so I figured it was a chance not to be passed up.

It has a homemade looking rewind "crank" (use the term loosely) on it that I would want to be replaced. So when I won a "new" factory rewind on Ebay for cheap today, I took it as a sign!

Thanks for the opinions. I won't have the cash for a CLA for a while, but when I do, I'll let y'all know how it goes.

FrankS · 07-21-2005

Congrats, Lobster! Brian's bagged another soul and turned them towards the dark side. (He got me too.)

Stephanie Brim · 07-21-2005

Brian gets everyone eventually, darn him to heck.

Graybeard · 07-22-2005

I have a DS/SS converted M3 in which the rangefinder patch had grown dim in the twenty years that I owned the camera.

DAG was able to clean the rangefinder optics and restore the brightness of the patch almost completely; not all service technicians, even very good ones, offer this service. Your camera is probably due for a CLA in any case and you will some money by having DAG see to the rangefinder when doing the routine CLA work.

Brian Sweeney · 07-22-2005

You guys make it sound like Joe and I are in some sort of race to capture photo-taking souls! I'm bedazzled. Just wait until the right Canon p comes along, I'll let Joe capture me.

I'll fix him, I'll leave him an M3 in my will. And all the Canons. On the condition that he uses the M3 once a year.