Re: [Leica] Quit picking on the R3

["Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

Vick,
Be wary of any shop telling you it is not worth fixing.  First of all, it 
could mean they are not sure they CAN fix it.  Second, you should ask them 
what it would cost.  Compare that quote to what Leica will charge (probably 
about 325.00 for a complete rebuild).  Ask yourself if you can get a 
perfectly good Leica SLR with new internal works for 325.00 on the open 
market...You may find it worth fixing if you intend to use it.  At these 
price ranges you shouldn't worry about the resale of the item, just fix and 
use and enjoy.

Best wishes
Dan States


>
>Sorry - let me tell you the background.  I picked up an "As-is" R3 for a 
>good
>price,
>and so far, my local camera shops have told me that it isn't worth fixing, 
>and the
>
>general opinion from this thread is that the R3 isn't worth fixing.
>
>Coming from a history of owning M cameras, and recent, some LTM cameras,
>I was really surprised that any Leica would be deemed "not worth fixing."
>
>It seems like there are a few good R3's, like the one you own, but a 
>significant
>number of not-so-good ones.
>
>I guess I should have done my homework before picking up this "bargain".
>For a bit longer, my SLR shooting will be my Nikon.
>
>
>...Vick
>
>
>
>Summicron1@aol.com wrote:
>
> > someone said: Back to the R3 -
> >
> > When the battery is dead, what shutter speeds should the camera be 
>capable of?
> >
> > The collected opinion is that the R3 was unreliable, and astromonical to
> > repair.
> >
> > Hmmm - the first throw-away Leica.
> >
> > ..Vick
> >
> > hmmmm.  yourself.
> >
> > So, the Leica R3 that I've been using for almost 20 years and which has 
>only
> > been in the shop once (disconnect of the mirror-shutter mechanism, cost 
>$170
> > for DAG to fix it and completely service the camera about 8 years ago, a 
>fair
> > price I think) and which meters as accurately as any camera I have ever 
>seen,
> > combined with simplicity of use to the point of being idiot-resistent, 
>is in
> > reality a disgustingly poor piece of equipment, prone to breakdown,
> > impossibly expensive to maintain, and a "throw-away" Leica?
> >
> > How foolish of me not to notice!
> >
> > I'd better go spend $2000 on an R8 immediately! Oh no, there's an auto 
>focus
> > Contax! I find myself irresistably drawn! What shall I do?????
> >
> > Nothing, actually. I'm sure I'll get my comeuppance some day.
> >
> > With a dead battery ithe R3 works at 1/90th mechanical speed, by the 
>way. I
> > believe you have to take the battery out to get this, but could be 
>mistaken.
> > It's so dependable that I repay the compliment by always keeping a spare
> > battery handy. They last about a  year under heavy use unless I forget 
>to
> > turn the camera off, it's one weak point in my opinion.
> >
> > charlie trentelman
> > ogden
> > marching to a different drummer
> > utah
>

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