Old is old

darkosaric · Jun 19, 2019

So,

I knew this day will come, sooner or later. Today my M3 died, after more than 10 years in my hands, without CLA, I got it for around 500€ at the time, it it was not CLA-ed who know when. It will be interesting to see how much I will get on ebay for it.
I still have M6, IIIf and CL, but when next one goes ...time to think about MP.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 19, 2019

It's not dead; it can be fixed. Cheaper than getting another one.

Youxin CLA'd my M3, fixed slow shutter speeds. Few hundred bucks, didn't take long. Now it is like new camera.

Huss · Jun 19, 2019

Pssh it's not dead, it's taking a nap. Get it fixed and serviced by Youxin or pay much more for a different one that for all you know may 'die' the day after you get it.

jimjm · Jun 19, 2019

That's not dead! As long as you like and use the camera, keep it and take care of it for future generations to enjoy.
Like Theo noted above, Youxin should be able to replace the curtains. He did on a Canon IVsb I sent him a few years ago. Fair price and very quick turnaround.

darkosaric · Jun 19, 2019

Thanks guys, can you send me the link or email of Youxin?

Dali · Jun 19, 2019

wye7@yahoo.com

jimjm · Jun 19, 2019

And here's the web site: http://www.yyecamera.com/price_m_body.html

His communication is very good and he will answer any questions you have.

Good luck!

darkosaric · Jun 19, 2019

Thanks

StepheKoontz · Jun 20, 2019

He's CLA'd several for me, the latest was a Leica IIf and a tower type 35 that had bad curtains. Before that he CLA'd several lenses, a Leica IIIc and Canon II. Great communication and excellent work!

mcfitz · Jun 20, 2019

I have used Kamera Service in Holland, for two Leicas, a IIIC and M6, two lenses, a Rolleiflex, and have had great service and customer relations with them.

If you are in Europe, you can pay in Euros by direct bank transfer, makes it much easier than other means of currency transactions, plus for sending and return there is no customs brokerage fees or taxes. Much simpler than sending to the States.

Link : http://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/

AgX · Jun 20, 2019

And of course there are repairers in Germany too...

Frank53 · Jun 20, 2019

+1 for http://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/

choiliefan · Jun 20, 2019

Youxin's the man but I take it DE isn't an abbreviation of Delaware.

guangong · Jun 20, 2019

I usually have my Leica, Leicaflex, Nikon F, Rolleiflex and other quality cameras CLAed about every 30 years so as to avoid big repair bills. When buying used, I always mentally include cost of repair into price.
Most of the better mechanical cameras can still be repaired. Such is not always the case with cameras operating on electronics.
There are few 35mm cameras as robust as a Leica M3. Perhaps only the Nikon rf, F and Contax IIa would give it a run.

darkosaric · Jun 20, 2019

I have asked a quote in Germany - it is more than a double of what is listed at Youxin.
I will ask also this place in Holland.
Thanks again guys.

R.Gould · Jun 20, 2019

Leica's don't die they just rest for a while, I had a IIIc given to me by a friend 2 years ago, it was his fathers whogot it just after the war when he was stationed in Germany, but he died 20 years ago, it had sat on a shelf ever since, it was dead, everything was stuck, no film wind, couldn't change shutter speeds cause it was all siezed, maybe useful for spares, got it looked at a Leica expert in UK, not worth repairing, would cost too much, put it in my broken cameras for spares draw, every now and again get it out, still the same.just before Christmas last year got it out no change, just after Christmas, decided to have a clear out, got the old Leica out and it is working perfectly, nothing done to it, it is simply working fine, the more I use it the better it gets, I was using it today, lovely negatives,so never assume that a Leica is dead, just put it away and it might surprise you like mine did me,

k.hendrik · Jun 20, 2019

It's like in the Dylan song "Joey" He ain't dead he's just asleep!

http://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/
and maybe this man would have a go;
http://www.dekamera.com/

film_man · Jun 21, 2019

You can try Aperture in London as well http://apertureleica.com/ had my M4 fixed there, they should be able to replace the curtains and do a service for a reasonable price.

Saying that, for a job like this I would expect to pay £300-500 depending where it is sent. Not insignificant but still cheaper than buying another beat up Leica that will fail. In general I prefer to fix vs replace as that means I get a serviced camera that should last for a very long time vs taking yet another gamble, these things are getting old now.

darkosaric · Jun 21, 2019

choiliefan said:
Youxin's the man but I take it DE isn't an abbreviation of Delaware.

DE --> Deutschland

https://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/ctycodes.htm

macfred · Jun 21, 2019

Darko, you should try Hans Klinkhamer 'De Kamera', located in the Netherlands (right on the border to Germany). Hans is a nice guy who worked on my Rolleiflex and my FUJI GW670. I can really recommend.
He can repair all mechanical cameras, lenses, slide projectors and related equipment.
http://www.dekamera.com/

guangong · Jun 21, 2019

Depression kid. The oddest thing is to see your toys on display in antique shops.

NB23 · Jun 21, 2019

Leicas never die.

Ko.Fe. · Jun 21, 2019

"Die" and "sleep" is equal BS.

As long as part is available any mechanical M could be fixed.
My M4-2 was dropped on the cement and it was fixed. Later it became stiff to advance. It was fixed.

Selling non working M is like selling Mercedes because ashtray is full.

mshchem · Jun 22, 2019

darkosaric said:
I have asked a quote in Germany - it is more than a double of what is listed at Youxin.
I will ask also this place in Holland.
Thanks again guys.

You mentioned buying a new MP ?, it's a M6ttl, without the ttl flash and with a terrible rewind lever. Get your M3 fixed or find another, I shoot a M6ttl 0.85x I like it. I had a mint M2 with the 50 1.4 . In a moment of grief I sold it, still sad about that.

guangong · Jun 22, 2019

Yesterday I received my M3 from Youxin. Smooth as butter. In fact better than new. After CLA and replaced cracking vulcanite, camera appears brand new. Camera had not been serviced since c.1970, and was in good working order, but better to service than to repair.

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