M-3 Repair question

[ccfutbol]

Hi everyone. I recently dropped my M-3 with 135 attached. It didn't

fall far or seem to have major damage, but the lens came loose. I

found that none of my lens would stay seated in the camera. I had

already had a problem with my 50 collapsible lens not locking into

place, but the 35 and 135 were clicking into place -- not now!

Anyway, both the 35 and 135 are in pretty bad shape. I had fungus on

the 35 cleaned off, but it seems to me that I now have a lens with no

coating and heavy cleaning marks, ... so it's not the great optical

quality I'd desire. Question I have is whether or not there's

something I can do to fix the M3, ... a fairly simple home

repair, ... something to tighten back up, ... or if I need to ship it

off. If I need to ship it off, ... where do you recommend? Any idea

what the charge might end up being.

The camera and lenses are from the 50's and I have to say that I'm

not sure whether I will go the expense of repairing, or just put the

whole rig on display as a piece of history. I do miss having the

camera functional but I have other picture making machines, ...

SLR's. I like to take the M3 out every now and then -- it makes me

slow down, think differently than with my SLR rigs. I probably miss

shots with it more than with my SLR, but my thinking on lighting and

composition seems more deliberate and enjoyable. Thanks for your

thoughts and suggestions.

CC

[Rob F.]

The M3 is undoubtedly worth repairing, whether you choose to keep it or pass it on to the next user. From your description, the lenses may or may not be worth restoring. If only the coatings are damaged, and not the glass elements themselves; and the fungus was not too bad, they might be worth it. Lenses can be stripped and recoated. They can also be resurfaced, but at the expense of some optical performance loss. If the 135 is an old Hektor, it will not be worth it. If the 35 is a Summicron, it probably is worth it.

 

 

D.A.G. for the camera body; or Sherry Krauter, but she's recuperating right now.

 

John Van Stelten at Focal Point for the lenses.

[m_.]

I learned this the hard way so I will say: don't try anything at home unless it is something you can simply glue on. I always send it to Sherry and her price worths every penny and sending out for repair saves you a lot of heart burn. Good luck.

[john_boyle3]

Another excellent Leica repair facility is Gerry Smith at Kindermann Canada in Toronto. Very friendly and highly recommended.

[cameron_sawyer]

If an RF camera is dropped obliquely on a long lens, you may be really screwed if the lens flange is displaced.

 

Leica reliability is largely a myth, but boy are they rugged! I dropped my M6 from table height onto a wooden floor (in a restaurant in Tbilisi, Georgia, two months ago -- I had had a bit too much Kakhetian wine). I was amazed that not only was there no dent (just a barely perceptible nick on the bottom plate), but the rangefinder wasn't even knocked out of alignment!

[ccfutbol]

Thank you one and all for your comments and suggestions. Happy Holidays. CC