For Sale FS: Leica M3

For sale, maybe, a double stroke M3 (serial number in the 890s). If I don't sell it by Monday, it goes to Youxin Ye, who will give it the CLA it needs (should be $220) and break the L seal in the process. It's in nice shape - I got it from the original owner (along with the receipt from 1958) who said it hasn't been used in close to 40 years. It's in nice shape - a few bright marks on the chrome, mainly around the strap hangers and otherwise very clean. Vulcanite is chipped in a few places and coming loose so it needs to be replaced. I happen to have a red kidskin covering from Cameraleather that should fit this body (I got it with my low 9s DS M3) or YY will be putting a black Akai covering on it (I don't want two red ones). Rangefinder is bright and contrasty and seems to be accurate. The shutter, confirming what the original owner said, is inconsistent. It fires across the board but 1s varies from around 1s to maybe 1/60, and some of the faster speeds seem to be varying too. Basically, you can't trust it to shoot with it.

Anyone interested in a nice M3 at $600 + USPS shipping?

Thanks,
Dan

One of my favorite cameras of all time was an M3 DS. There's just something about that short 2 stroke ratchet of the film advance that feels so right. I always wondered why Leica "improved" the later M3s w/ a single stroke action.

momus said:

One of my favorite cameras of all time was an M3 DS. There's just something about that short 2 stroke ratchet of the film advance that feels so right. I always wondered why Leica "improved" the later M3s w/ a single stroke action.

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The story goes that they were afraid at first that the extra pull force from a single stroke advance would tear out the sprocket holes. After they had enough experience with the film they finally knew that it would not and adapted the design to single.

It is way more efficient to have one stroke. PS: the M3 I have is a DS that I never saw the need to update.

I think you can still DS a SS body, yes?

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:

I think you can still DS a SS body, yes?

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Yes, you can. My first Leica is an M3 DS and I continued the double-stroke habit with my M3 SS and even M6's. I actually find it easier and faster than swinging the lever its full range of travel.

DS doesn't faze me. Once you're used to it you don't notice. Anyway, this camera is no longer available, being on its way to YY.