[Leica] old beat stuff questions

[woc2 at earthlink.net (Bill O'Connell)]

Friend referred some folks to me yesterday that were looking to dispose of
dad's Leica equipment.
Of course visions of a real find at an amazing low price danced thru my
head, and like is oft the case, it's pretty used stuff and they are dreaming
of retirement from it.
Looking to tap the wisdom of the collective group and if anyone is
interested I'll put you in contact with them directly.

Camera is a M3 DS.  Body has no dents but is well used, chrome on the upper
back is pitted, as it is in some other spots.  Also tons of wear spots.  I'm
sure the never-ready case contributed to this.  Meter has lost most of it's
silver but does seem to work.  Shutter speeds seem to work fine from fast
thru slow.  Only one take up cassette seems to be there.
Lenses are a 50 and 135.  Again, both very well used.  Front glass on both
have serious cleaning marks but did not notice any deep scratches, just a
lot of light ones.  There is also a Visoflex in nice shape and a bellows in
great shape that is still in the box.  In fact, the box is in worse shape
:->  A few other minor things, like a Vivitar 283, and a strange little
device that is about 1.5 inch square and thin. Has a grid on it and it's
called a meter but I can't figure out how it's used and there is no scale or
any readout on it.

No questions the lenses would need a trip to DAG or the like for some
serious cleaning.  The body is defiantly a user.  He bought it new and the
import cards for the lens and body are with the manuals.  Bless his soul, he
used it quite a bit, no dust settled on this.

I have no feel for the value of this collection so I figured I would use the
wisdom of the group to assist them.  They were trying to use EBay as a guide
but deep down inside they do seem to understand that condition is very
important, and the difference between mint and user can be huge price wise.
I have serial numbers and I took some digital pictures with a PHD I had in
my briefcase if there is any interest.

Suggestions?  Comments?

You can contact me off list if you prefer at woc2@earthlink.net

Thanks in advance,
Bill

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