Re: [Leica] Re: M3 DS Mutilation

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

Well I have never tried one myself but I am prepared to take everybody's
word for it. Unfortunately the DS winding mechanism is not as strong as the
SS version and is (relatively) prone to failure. Equally unfortunate is the
lack of replacement parts for the DS mechanism. You can replace it with a
new SS mechanism but that is hardly going to bring a smile to any of the
recent posters.

John Collier

> From: Douglas Cooper <douglas@dysmedia.com>
> 
> Jeff Moore wrote:
> 
>> Nooooo!  I keep watching in horror as the remaining stocks of DS M3s
>> dwindle through both natural tragedies and the unnatural act of
>> converting them to SS.  The DS wind mechanism is a thing of such
>> sensual, smooth perfection it's a crime to trash it just to add to the
>> huge population of single-stroke Ms out there.  Really.  People who
>> have DS bodies and wish they had SS bodies should sell the DS bodies,
>> un-mutilated, and buy replacement SS bodies.
>> 
>> I keep waiting for my Macintosh tube amp to need service so I can have
>> it converted to transistor...
> 
> I couldn't agree more.  My M3 DS is the most beautifully machined object I
> have ever owned -- and I have had mint Rolleiflex TLRs, Martin Guitars, and
> Post Versalog slide rules (as well as K&E Log Log Duplex Decitrigs).  The
> winding mechanism is unparalleled. (As is the shutter damping -- DAG says
> that this is the quietest of the M's, and that the damping mechanism is
> unique.)  It may not be the most expensive of the M models out there, but I
> am convinced that it is the best.  I will never alter or sell mine.
>