Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/14

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Planning to get an M3
From: Chandos Michael Brown <cmbrow@mail.wm.edu>
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 18:22:26 -0400

I use and SS M3 now, though I had a DS for many years.  I don't see why it 
would be any harder to work on a  DS than an SS.  Others will doubtless 
correct me, but I've never heard that they were unrepairable.

The absence of a PV lever is no big deal.  I usually use a 50 on my 
M3.  When I mount a 35, I use an external VF (it otherwise triggers the 
90mm frameline).  Come to think of it, I can't remember when last I 
actually used the PV lever on my M3.

There's some sentiment that the build quality of late production M3s 
represents the epitome of Leica camera building.  This is *not* to say that 
earlier versions of the M3 were inferior.

If the price is right, I can't think of any good reason *not* to buy it.

CHandos




At 12:00 AM 9/15/1999 +0200, you wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>although this group seems to be busy with the new M7, maybe someone
>can give me some advice. Today I saw an early M3 at a dealer, it had
>no preview lever and times 1,2,5,10... and was a double stroke. The
>(oterwise uncharismatic) dealer allowed me gracefully (,,if it makes
>you happy'') to try all times and I was astonished how smooth and
>solid the shutter trips. However, I was a bit unsure about the double
>stroke feature. Does it a long time to get used to it? I also heard
>that double stroke is not serviceable if it breaks (on Erwin's page?).
>
>
>I would be glad if someone could tell me about her/his experience.
>
>
>This dealer was really uncharismatic. After I said ,,well, I don't
>know'' he told me he can test his equipment by himself and does not
>need any customers for this job. Sure his business must be well going
>and he does not need customers at all.
>
>Thanks for reading and thus relieving my anger,
>
>Peter.



Chandos Michael Brown
Assoc. Prof., History and American Studies
College of William and Mary

http://www.wm.edu/CAS/ASP/faculty/brown