[MikeD]

I just got a hold of a Leica M3 for nothing...it was in someone's family, and they wanted me to have it to use while I'm traveling in Africa and beyond. Her father used it all over the world himself--he was Turkish, but lived in South America and many other places.

Single-stroke M3 with a 50/1.5, in amazing shape. Shows some wear marks but damned clean; just one small spot inside the lens.

So, since I'm a barbarian whose gear of all sorts ends up, well, quite well-used, what should I do to keep this thing in shape? It came with a leather half-case that is much bulkier than the camera... definitely not gonna use that. Not going to spend the cash for a ritzy high-end case, and the decent Ebay cases from Mr. Zhou don't fit the strap lugs on this camera.

I'm most inclined to simply put electrical tape along the edges and wear points and use a neck strap. Is this a travesty?? I don't regard the Leica as a holy relic--it's a tool and I want to honor it through use--but it is classic and valuable, and I'd like to keep it in nice shape through some adverse conditions.

 

[benno]

That one's mine ;-)

Just use it mate. Personally I prefer wrist or finger straps but meh. You can get a beater bottom plate or put clear contact over the existing one if you're really keen I guess.

I have the original never ready case and never use it. And even a nice half case just covers up what is already a beautiful camera.

Edit: So you've got the Summarit 50/1.5 and it's pretty clean? They have a reputation for fogging and haze but that can usually be cleaned by a competent repairer. Because they're so hard to find in good condition they have an undeservedly bad rep I reckon. I find mine to be acceptably sharp at 1.5 and it produces great black and white - maybe a bit lower in contrast than modern lenses but it's got it's own look. I've never shot colour with it.

If the body needs a CLA (most of them do) make sure you send it to a competent tech... I sent mine to a back yard guy in MA and it was a friggin nightmare. As soon as I can bear to part with it again I'm going to have to send it to DAG for a decent CLA.

Oh yeah, if you're travelling with it a lot, get a replacement no-name lens cap and use that, leave the metal Leica one at home (they're easy to lose). You might want a spare film take up spool as well.

 

[Dartman]

I like-a. :biggrin:

 

[buildyourown]

Where does the SD card go?

 

[bitingback]

Where does the SD card go?

NICE camera btw!!

 

[MikeD]

Wha?

I thought the card went in right under the flashbulb sync socket...?

Benno, thanks for the tips and nice gear...I think I'll just tape this one up on the edges...

 

[Changleen]

It's a camera for pulling chicks who went to art school.

 

[MikeD]

Nah, I just show 'em my 8x10 field camera if I wanna impress.

 

[Quo Fan]

My Dad gave me his Canon Rangefinder Model II-F that is based off the Leica. I got the body, a 50mm 1.8, a 135mm, a light meter, a bunch of filters and the holders, a case, and the flash.

I'm torn weather to ebay it or not.

 

[DaveW]

I'd sugest you go get some film and have a play with it first Quo.
It's a cool old setup you have there.

 

[MikeD]

Ebay it? You kidding me? Use it and enjoy a piece of family history from time to time.

 

[stevew]

Spy!!

 

[MikeD]

Spy!!

OSS cent dix-sept: pour vous servir.

 

[binary visions]

Ebay it? You kidding me? Use it and enjoy a piece of family history from time to time.

I lost all of my dad's old Olympus equipment when our house was robbed, wish I had it back

 

[N8 v2.0]

I've got my dad's Argus C3 with flash bulb accessory...

It has taken a lot of very good pix...

 

[MikeD]

I love those old Argus cameras...a lot of my work in college was done with old, non-professional type stuff like that. It's even cooler when it's part of your family history. It does make me laugh when I see 'em in antique stores with multi-hundred-dollar pricetag.

 

[benno]

Quo Fan, don't sell it mate. You'll regret it ;-)

My Leica was originally bought by my grandfather in 1959 and has been in the family ever since. I saw some pics that he took with it in the early 60s recently and it was just a cool experience. My dad shot with it for much of the 70's and early 80's in PNG and outback Australia.

I love it.

 

[BigMike]

Cool camera, have fun with it!

I'm torn weather to ebay it or not.

How about, NOT

 

[DRB]

Nice hair cut hippy.

 

[narlus]

My Dad gave me his Canon Rangefinder Model II-F that is based off the Leica. I got the body, a 50mm 1.8, a 135mm, a light meter, a bunch of filters and the holders, a case, and the flash.

I'm torn weather to ebay it or not.

that's a great street photography setup...total stealth.

mike, enjoy the Leica!

 

[MikeD]

Nice hair cut hippy.

I was thinking it needed to be a bit greasier.

Quo, does that camera have a coupled rangefinder?

Narlus, best street photo camera I ever had was the Olympus XA...

 

[vtjim]

My Dad gave me his Canon Rangefinder Model II-F that is based off the Leica. I got the body, a 50mm 1.8, a 135mm, a light meter, a bunch of filters and the holders, a case, and the flash.

I'm torn weather to ebay it or not.

I don't know whether or not you want to ebay it, but I'm sure weather is bad for it. :biggrin:

 

[Lowlight7]

The Canon "numbered" series do have coupled rangefinders but use the Leica screwmount lenses. They were to the Korean war what the Nikon F was to Vietnam. The viewfinders are supposed to be superior to the pre-M Leicas.

Luigi's is the hot company right now for fitted cases. Typical of Leica-owner BS, they run about 200 euro.

I'd just put the tape on it and let it go. Changing film on those things is enough of a PITA without having to get a fitted case off anyway. Besides, you could drive nails with it and it'd still work...

I'd swing by Strauss Phototechnical in N.E. for some lubrication and to make sure all the shutter is in tune. After that, GTG.

Art school whores are all about the Diana these days.

If that light meter is what I think it is (Weston), it's probably worth more than the camera is.

 

[MikeD]

Typical of Leica-owner BS, they run about 200 euro.

Yeah, but he'll match the leather on my Billingham bag...

I'd just put the tape on it and let it go. Changing film on those things is enough of a PITA without having to get a fitted case off anyway.

Just what I was thinking.

I'd swing by Strauss Phototechnical in N.E. for some lubrication and to make sure all the shutter is in tune. After that, GTG.

Actually heading there to repair my digi SLR anyhow...but am considering taking it to Pro Camera when I'm in Charlottesville this weekend, too, because those guys are amazing.

Art school whores are all about the Diana these days.

Meh, they'll melt even more over my cardboard Agfa box camera.