• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Leica M3 Transitional version price guide

yya

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Mar 8, 2023
Messages
214
Location
Australia
Format
4x5 Format
I'm just curious, how much more expensive is a transitional version of the Leica M3 (with both double-stroke and single-stroke features, starting from serial number 926xxx) compared to a regular M3, assuming they are in the same condition?
 
I don't know that there's any consensus as to value, but in the past, I've realized a modest premium by being able to identify my particular M3 variation in a way that stood out from other listings. At the time, I had copies of Jim Lager's Leica guides, and I probably used his terminology, e.g. "Leica M3 Second Type" (which mine was). But there's always going to be an element of luck involved too.
 
If considering M3's meant to be used daily and not ones that are deemed 'special' in any way, I would consider 1957 as transitional starting around 854xxx. I've never put my hands on a better M3 than early '57's. I personally would value user pre 1957 M3 a little less than post 1957, but this can be modified by cosmetics, ownership and maintenance history. The above one million M3's seem to fetch slightly higher prices, although I I'm not sure why exactly.
 
Last edited:
Leica M2 & M3 ....there are lots on the market ....and largely in the same price range. Occasionally you'll see one "serial # over 1,000,000" presumably because they're later versions, but at this point they're all old (but seriously well-made) cameras. I wouldn't pay any premium .... & of course original black paint versions are very expensive.
 

thanks for your reply！
 

Thanks for your reply！
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register