My first M!

djcphoto

djcphoto

An Englishman Abroad
Local time
4:12 PM
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
153
Location
Knoxville, TN
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Like a lot of photographers, I've lusted after an M for a while but never managed to find one within my budget at the right time. I've been using a iiif LTM for about a year now (and lurking here), and love it, but still couldn't shake the desire for an M3.

Anyhow, I got a decent tax refund this year and had been looking at M3 bodies all last week, and was about to pull the trigger on one from KEH when, on Thursday, I got a call from a friend of mine who had been talking to a retiring photographer that he knew who was selling a lot of gear, including an M3. He arranged for me to go and check it out yesterday and it turned out to be a M3 DS in really nice condition. On the phone he had said that he wanted $900 (which was a little high) but that it had some 'bits and pieces' with it.

Well, those bits and pieces turned out to be a meter, a 35mm 3.5 Summaron, a rigid Summicron, a 90mm 2.8 Elmarit and a 135 Elmar! All that, and the body, for $900! Yeah, it's not as good a deal as that M6 steal I read about a few threads down, but I'm very happy with it. And for another $100, he threw in a very nice Roleiflex Automat 4 and a cute Rollei 35 Tessar.

Everything seems good with the Leica, and I've got all three cameras loaded and stuffed in my small Domke and, if the rain stops, I'll be shooting them all tomorrow.

If you can't tell, I'm a little excited 😀

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Wow, man, that's an incredible haul. Everything looks like it's in very good shape. And....he tossed in a Rolleiflex! That's awesome!

And the good part is that you don't have to worry if is a scam.
 
WoW...
What a Find
What a Score
Lucky YOU- Congrats !
Your set for Life...
Now You just need to Buy a freezer worth of Film 😉
 
Wow! Now that's what I call lucky.

The best thing is that you never, ever, need buy anything else in the hardware line as you've got the lot in just one easy move...

Regards, David
 
Ronald M said:
You should have been embarrassed to take advantage like that.
Click to expand...

Well, I wasn't. He was very pleased with the deal and specifically said that he wanted it to go to someone that would get out and use it rather than put it on a shelf, but thank you for your thoughts.
 
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Ronald M said:
You should have been embarrassed to take advantage like that.
Click to expand...

I find statements like these fascinating. Is the real reason, perhaps, sour grapes because you overpaid for something?

The cameras we like so much are ancient little devices made from metal, plastic, and glass. They are worth only what two people agree upon to make a sale. A lot of people would consider somebody absolutely crazy to pay as much as $1000 for a bunch of old cameras that can't even zoom or autofocus, never mind using film.

Especially if the seller was a user instead of a collector. You should be embarassed to make a statement like that. Are you saying you never got a bargain? Or that you would turn one down?
 
Congratulations. You look to have some beautiful gear there. Being an M user I am very happy for you. Get out there and post some results.
 
First roll

First roll

Well, here's a couple of shots from the first roll through the M3. Nothing special, but there's not much going on in Downtown Knoxville on a freezing Sunday morning! Can't wait to try it on my next model shoot!

A few things I learned about the M3 (and Summicron):

1. It's a great camera to shoot with!
2. Focus seems accurate, as is frame spacing.
3. Summicron is quite sharp!
4. Infinity lock is a PITA! May have to modify...
5. In cold weather, metal film wind lever is like some kind of torture device 🙂

Arista Premium, HC-110:

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Congrats on your new M. I'm looking at Ms in the wake of my return as well. I saw a rated 8 M4-2 on B&H for $720. Anyone know if this is a good deal? Tough to say with no photos of the camera. I'm looking to get an call-Canadian M/Summicron 50mm outfit 😀
 
There are some of the best lenses in that bunch. I have the Summaron (mine's actually a screwmount lens with an adapter) and the Elmarit. The 'cron is legendary although I'm not familiar with the 135.
 
BTW, don't modify the rigid! Swap it for a DR. Same lens, but with close-focusing to 19 inches, and WITHOUT tab/infinity lock. Or, just get used to the tab. I did.
 
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