johnnygoesdigital
New member
I recently stopped at a small camera/repair store to browse around. Just a small sign propped up outside was the only clue that this was a camera shop...
Once inside, I was like a kid in a candy shop, my eyes wide open as I gleaned at all the vintage cameras not knowing which one to touch first! I know this sounds dramatic, but it gets better...
There on a small display crammed with various cameras of different vintage was an early version Leica M3 with scientific shutter speeds and a pristine 50mm Summicron with matching metal hood. This camera appears to have seen very little use, if any. The only indication was small tiny bright marks on the shiny shutter dial that might have been from the lightmeter. As soon as I held it in my hand, I felt what was undeniably the finest 35mm camera i've ever known. The viewfinder is amazing! The range patch is a little dim, but the frame lines were so bright, as if there was electronics in the camera! Truly amazing! Even the 50mm summicron, in it's stunning chrome finish was a marvel to behold. There's a little play in the focus, but it too looks new. I'm hoping a CLA would will bring "her" up to speed and brighten the range patch (it works good in contrasty situations). The "L" seal is still in place, and the shutter speeds all sound accurate.
I immediately became a Leica film camera zealot, and never really understood the mystic, until I held this camera. As the saying goes...they don't build them like this anymore!
Once inside, I was like a kid in a candy shop, my eyes wide open as I gleaned at all the vintage cameras not knowing which one to touch first! I know this sounds dramatic, but it gets better...
There on a small display crammed with various cameras of different vintage was an early version Leica M3 with scientific shutter speeds and a pristine 50mm Summicron with matching metal hood. This camera appears to have seen very little use, if any. The only indication was small tiny bright marks on the shiny shutter dial that might have been from the lightmeter. As soon as I held it in my hand, I felt what was undeniably the finest 35mm camera i've ever known. The viewfinder is amazing! The range patch is a little dim, but the frame lines were so bright, as if there was electronics in the camera! Truly amazing! Even the 50mm summicron, in it's stunning chrome finish was a marvel to behold. There's a little play in the focus, but it too looks new. I'm hoping a CLA would will bring "her" up to speed and brighten the range patch (it works good in contrasty situations). The "L" seal is still in place, and the shutter speeds all sound accurate.
I immediately became a Leica film camera zealot, and never really understood the mystic, until I held this camera. As the saying goes...they don't build them like this anymore!