Member of the Month

X_MEMESWERVE_XX
March, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Found a camera in my grandpas old belongings

profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Hey, I'm hoping some people on here can give me some info/advice. I found this old leather bag today in some of my grandpas old stuff. My dad said I could have it.

Inside was a camera called a Leica M3, tripod, some lenses, instructional manual, etc. grandpa died at 100 yrs old about 2 months ago, so he was around long enough to buy this while he was in Europe during WWII (my dad says that's where he got It)

Does anyone know anything about this camera? I know NOTHING about photography but was considering getting some film and reading about the adjustable settings and testing this old thing out. Any ideas of what type of film it'd use and where to get it for a fair price. Or any accesories I may need to go with it?

Any advice is appreciated.
11 years ago
130 10
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
ok pics of it, I can help you out as the resident ns leica guy
11 years ago
10 0
profile picture
*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
I own lots of Leicas. Pics please.
11 years ago
4 0
profile picture
No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/m3.htm
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
Man, I love stumbling on camera treasures.
11 years ago
4 0
profile picture
Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
I have eternal envy towards anyone that finds anything nicer then a Nikon F in the belongings of their dearly departed. That said, still happy for you. And as the rest said: pics, pics, pics.
11 years ago
14 0
profile picture
Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
I have eternal envy towards anyone that finds anything nicer then a Nikon F in the belongings of their dearly departed. That said, still happy for you. And as the rest said: pics, pics, pics.
11 years ago
1 1
profile picture
raymondcabral
Posts: 747 - Karma: 1,094
That sounds super awesome, especially if it's in good condition. Post some pics dude
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Hey, ill post some pics tonight when I get home from work.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
You own what is arguably one of the greatest cameras ever made. What numbers are written on the lenses you have? You've potentially stumbled upon some really valuable stuff.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
Inb4 it's a black paint M3
11 years ago
4 0
profile picture
Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
So you just FOUND a Leica.... Fak u
11 years ago
3 0
profile picture
TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
hahaha ya....

PICS PLEASE!!!
11 years ago
5 0
profile picture
steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
I think it's worth mentioning that undoubtably everyone posting in this thread has been dreaming of this happinging to them. Condider yourself one lucky son of a bastard ;)
11 years ago
2 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
I think it was black. I only looked at it for a second. I couldn't really get a glimpse of the whole camera cause it had this stubborn leather case on it. that wouldn't detach from the bottom part.

Anyways, I get off work in about 4hrs. then i'll head home and get some pics up for you media wizards
11 years ago
1 0
profile picture
TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
You're gonna want to be careful taking off that stubborn leather case.
11 years ago
4 0
profile picture
Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
We really cannot stress the word careful enough here.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
BryantPhoto
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 891
Dang, an M3 is a great find to just stumble upon.
11 years ago
3 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
nvm not black.

uploading photos now
11 years ago
1 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
11 years ago
4 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
M3 - 703 657

Sooo, made in 1954?


11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
Yeps thats the serial, it's a 1954 double stroke model, number 3657 from the first batch, they didn't record exact dates that early. I assume it has been sitting around for a while, so the grease inside is probably dry, will need a full cla before it can be trusted and used if you intend to use it. Nothing special about this exact one in particular, and pre million serials a less desirable as most do not have the updates unless they were sent back to leitz.
11 years ago
5 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Dannng.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
I'll give you 400 bucks for it right now if you don't want to deal with CLA shit.
11 years ago
6 0
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
^honestly best offer you are gonna get
11 years ago
12 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^sell it to manifaggot
11 years ago
4 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
I appreciate it, but it holds sentimental value and I'd like to get some film and test it out
11 years ago
3 0
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
Using it without having it checked out could potentially be harmful to the internals. M's are built like a fine watch, they need to be used and wound or they deteriorate and will need service.
11 years ago
6 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Oh yeah of course. I have every intention to bring it in to shutter and lens here.
11 years ago
0 8
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
You can't just take a Leica to any old camera shop, you need specific technicians who are familiar with the complicated internals. Send it here! http://www.yyecamera.com
11 years ago
10 0
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
^this
11 years ago
5 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
perfect, thanks. i'll do that!
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Bmo.
Posts: 4908 - Karma: 2,669
this is funny because i literally have the exact same story. Grandpa told me he had a leica somewhere in storage that he purchased in germany back in the 50s/60s, but we would have to wait a few months to find it cuz they were packing and moving. 10 months later he pulls out a Leica M3.

Click for larger image

The finder needed a whole lotta work and so I sent it to that guy ^ Youxin Ye. He's awesome, best prices, fast communication and he only does the work after he tells you what the camera needs and you give the ok. Got the cam back in 3 weeks and it worked and looked like it was new.

If you have the funds, I would highly suggest putting the needed repairs into it and learn to use it. They dont call it the gadget of the 20th century for nothing. It really is incredible, and being able to use something so sentimental is waaaay cooler than putting it on the shelf for the next 50 years.
11 years ago
2 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Thanks for t afvice I'll send it in to that guy once I get some cash, roughly how much was it for the maintenance? I know our prices may differ, just curious.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
Youxin has all his prices listed on his site, you are looking for the normal M3 CLA, just remember those do not include cost of replacement parts if any are needed.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Bloc_chain
Posts: 26051 - Karma: 4,441
oh and it would be worth shooting an email the Sherry over at the golden touch asking for a cla quote, she use to work for leitz and is considered to do the best CLA's in the US without waiting 6 months for Don at dag. Youxin is the fast/cheaper(not always) choice.

http://www.sherrykrauter.com/repairs.php
11 years ago
1 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
kk cool thanks man. I live in Canada though. Might scope out to see if anyone here does it.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
http://www.kindermann.ca/service

Just north of Toronto, who I'm dealing with right now, Gary is a camera genius but is a bit more on the expensive side.
11 years ago
1 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
That's the guy I saw. Once I get some cash I'll send it in.
11 years ago
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 8:05AM