LEICA M3 - Canada made

[Hassasin]

Just realised some M3's were made im Canada. Unlike general perception of later models (M4-2) getting a bit of a slap on quality delivered, I tend to think M3's would not have any difference, with exception of perhaps market value. But I wouldn't know.

There is some info on these Canadian varieties, many (or most) not even marked as E`LC, just a larger M3 engraving, but am hoping for some more here. Any input if there are actually any differences? Were all DS?

I think all would fall well under the "1 100 000" SN, and all I have seen were under 900k.

 

[Hassasin]

Have just come across THIS article, pretty good yet quick read write up on M3 in general.

In it, one thing that caught my eye is the part on rangefinder and how to check for any internal problems like desilvering or mirror black paint flaking off. Is this a significant concern on M3?

 

[Don_ih]

In it, one thing that caught my eye is the part on rangefinder and how to check for any internal problems like disilvering or mirror black paint flaking off. Is this a significant concern on M3?

I think that's a major concern on any camera that old, as well as lenses. I had to dismantle a Summarit to get rid of the flakes of black paint on the inside of the lens. Any number of things can impact whether or not the paint will flake off - heat and changes in moisture, even the possibility the painted surface wasn't quite clean enough when painted. All of those things are beyond your control, since the camera (or lens) has had a life of its own before you got it. So, if you examine the camera and see the rangefinder patch looks good and you don't notice any paint flaking (even just looking inside the camera with the lens off), there's not much more you can do. But anything can happen to it once you have it.

I'd assume Canadian M3s would have been made from Wetzlar-supplied parts, but assembled by the staff in Midland. You hear about poor material choices in the (early) M4-2 but you don't normally hear anyone say the staff was not trained properly or careful enough in assembly. Any M3 made in Canada is probably just as reliable as a similar-vintage one made in Germany.

 

[Hassasin]

I think that's a major concern on any camera that old, as well as lenses. I had to dismantle a Summarit to get rid of the flakes of black paint on the inside of the lens. Any number of things can impact whether or not the paint will flake off - heat and changes in moisture, even the possibility the painted surface wasn't quite clean enough when painted. All of those things are beyond your control, since the camera (or lens) has had a life of its own before you got it. So, if you examine the camera and see the rangefinder patch looks good and you don't notice any paint flaking (even just looking inside the camera with the lens off), there's not much more you can do. But anything can happen to it once you have it.

I'd assume Canadian M3s would have been made from Wetzlar-supplied parts, but assembled by the staff in Midland. You hear about poor material choices in the (early) M4-2 but you don't normally hear anyone say the staff was not trained properly or careful enough in assembly. Any M3 made in Canada is probably just as reliable as a similar-vintage one made in Germany.

I would certainly not accuse Canadians of not being trained, or careful, or somewhat subpar. ELC M3's got me intrigued a bit. With exception of those rare and pricy ELC marked ones or ones with Star SN, prices appear to be on par of German put-togethers (if I may say so without offending anyone), but yet have that little perk of large M3 engraving and the little "secret" of having been assembled in MIdland instead.

Can anyone confirm Candain M3 were only assembled without having any parts actually produced on site?

 

[GregY]

There were also Midland assembled black chrome M4 cameras including the examples of the 50th anniversary models (apparently 2500 units or so). I can't imagine parts being made in Canada during that time.
In my experience, I never heard of quality issues until the M4-2 came out, apparently the build style changed, and by then (1977) who knows about the parts.