M3 modified for M2 Leicavit/TA Rapidwinder

Has anyone had their M3 modified to take a baseplate Leicavit or TA Rapidwinder? As a lefty, I greatly prefer a baseplate winder and if the conversion is reliable and not too expensive I'd like to do it. As the M3 is a "user" I'm not concerned about devaluing it.

Always been a fan of the Leicavit - don't know if you saw this Link A Photo Visual Library on series of rare, collectible Leica MP rangefinder camera bodies - Index page

Several years ago Don Goldberg "DAG" altered an M3 for me to take a "modern" Leicavit-M. Don had to replace some of the brass gears with steel in order to also make it work with the Leica Motor-M; he also changed out the loading system with modified quick loading. It worked great.

... But never have a job like this done expecting to be within a budget!

Edited September 7, 2019 by Bill Blackwell Images

Thanks Bill, especially with the comment on the Leica Motor-M. Might be easier to fit an M3 rangefinder system into an M4-2. Either way it won't be cheap but I shoot more 50/90 than 35.

Thanks Bill, especially with the comment on the Leica Motor-M. Might be easier to fit an M3 rangefinder system into an M4-2. Either way it won't be cheap but I shoot more 50/90 than 35.

Try a 1.25x adapter instead. It'll make your standard .72 finder into a .9 finder (approximating that of an M3).

With the 1.25 eyepiece, what would the frame lines represent in an M4-2? I'm hoping the lines come close to 50, 90 and 135. The eyepiece isn't cheap, but certainly less than the modifications to the M3 and M4-2. And I'd still be able to use the original M4-2 eyepiece if I wanted to use 35 lenses. My understanding is the M4-2 already has steel film advance gears and the quick loading system. Thanks for the guidance and advice.

With the 1.25 eyepiece, what would the frame lines represent in an M4-2? I'm hoping the lines come close to 50, 90 and 135. The eyepiece isn't cheap, but certainly less than the modifications to the M3 and M4-2. And I'd still be able to use the original M4-2 eyepiece if I wanted to use 35 lenses. My understanding is the M4-2 already has steel film advance gears and the quick loading system. Thanks for the guidance and advice.

The Leica 1.25x mag adapter converts a .72 finder to a .90 finder; an M3 finder is .92. I have this adapter mounted to all of my M cameras and it is ideal for longer focal lengths starting with the 50. However, I still use a 35mm lens by peaking around the corners (and I wear glasses). It takes some getting used to, but it works for me.

 

The 1.25x mag adapters often show up on eBay for around $250.

LEICA VIEWFINDER MAGNIFIER M 1.25 X LEICA NUMBER 12004 COMPLETE IN BOX 72874306205 | eBay

 

FWIW, there is also a 1.40x mag adapter produced by Leica for a 1:1 experience (perfect for a 50), but they are much less common used.

LEICA 1.4X VIEWFINDER MAGNIFIER #12006 NEW - FOR LEICA M SERIES CAMERAS

 

The M4-2 was the first camera sporting the steel gears (for the M4-2 Winder), which are identical to those in every Leica M produced since. Think of the M4-2 as the original M4, but made in Canada and modified to take a motor-winder instead of a self-timer.

Edited September 12, 2019 by Bill Blackwell Images

Bill, thanks for the information, 1.25x makes sense, especially at $250. However the M4-2 rangefinder/viewfinder isn't quite as nice as the M3's as it seems to want to flare out in the rangefinder patch. With a motor drive and 135 lens it works well for sports photography.