This is a query for the most wise and experienced. I have an M3 and finally noticed that the baseplate thread is 3/8 inch and not the "standard" 1/4 inch. Now I have to fool around with reducers. However, it makes me wonder as my local camera store owner who has seen literally thousands of Leica M3 claims never a 3/8 baseplate thread. Even thought it was a prototype. Many Leica III's have 3/8 inch base plate threads. I could probably raise a fuss with the person who sold to me, but not really interested. Is it an affront to my Leica manhood that I have this oddball?
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Probably means it was sold in Europe and never had the reducer put in. What is the first few digits of the Serial Number- that helps with what year it was made.
I've bought Leica cameras with the reducer already in it, you would never know unless you looked very closely that it was not original. I would not worry about using the reducer.
I've bought Leica cameras with the reducer already in it, you would never know unless you looked very closely that it was not original. I would not worry about using the reducer.
Hi Brian
The seed of doubt, always pernicious in this context, was placed in my head. Although innocent, the implication was that this M3 was potentially a Frankencamera...or at least with a Frankenplate. Franken "stuff" and illegitimate tinkering with a Leica is a punishable offense....if not by death...then with potential loss of resale value and loss of confidence and cheapening of mystique. Somebody, sometime, just like the camera store owner, is going to press me on this.
Serial number begins with 915.
The seed of doubt, always pernicious in this context, was placed in my head. Although innocent, the implication was that this M3 was potentially a Frankencamera...or at least with a Frankenplate. Franken "stuff" and illegitimate tinkering with a Leica is a punishable offense....if not by death...then with potential loss of resale value and loss of confidence and cheapening of mystique. Somebody, sometime, just like the camera store owner, is going to press me on this.
Serial number begins with 915.
Leica did make a 3/8" version baseplate for the M3, was used more in Europe. At this point, it would be impossible to know if the camera was ordered with the 3/8" baseplate, or someone substituted one after the camera was bought. I picked up spare baseplates for my M3 and Nikon F.
From a practical standpoint , it makes little difference although the seller should have advised and maybe provided a bushing. I also don't care as long as it is an authentic baseplate, which it seems to be.....and not fake. Spare blaseplates are sort of a luxury , given that they are not that inexpensive.
I saw a nice Nikon F the other day I could have bought. The mirror slap and shutter noise is like a 50 cal pistol. Since I have an FA, FM3a (black and not used at all), F100.....I did not see the wisdom of having an F.
I saw a nice Nikon F the other day I could have bought. The mirror slap and shutter noise is like a 50 cal pistol. Since I have an FA, FM3a (black and not used at all), F100.....I did not see the wisdom of having an F.
In reality....the FA is an almost perfect camera. Yes it uses batteries, but it has a matrix meter system that can be used with a very large selection of Nikon lenses, especially manual focus AI and AIs in program mode. Metering to almost endless duration. TTL flash metering. No...TTL fill. But 1/250s synch. Oddly, it has an automatic exposure mode override. If you choose an incompastible shutter and aperture combination for rapidly changing light, it will detect , override and choose something that works. It has a closed loop exposure control to compensate for slightly differnent diaphragm calibrations. It does not recognize the variable aperture of zooms in Program mode. It thinks it's constant aperture. Simple switch to aperture priority. I believe it has one battery free mechanical shutter speed 1/250. Its can be "fooled" to use G lenses. It cannot use VR....eh. It can be replaced easily for pittance. Not bad for 30 years old.
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