Leica M3 or M8?

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allenroh

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Hello everyone! I'm currently using a M3 with a summicron. M3 is a great camera and I love it so far but It certainly take more time (developing, scanning, etc..) than digital files. Is it worth to sell my M3 to replace it with a M8?
 
If you want digital files rather than film/slides to scan into digital files.... YES!

I'm still using an m8 having taken a pass on the m9 upgrade (maybe m10 we'll see). The camera does everything it did when it came out. Which is to say, it makes a fabulous digital file.
With improvements to LR3/4 and Aperture3 as well as other editing software. The M8 is as good as it's ever been.
 
^ imho: the choice can only be determined by "you"

If the developing and scanning images are troublesome, a digital platform might make sense . . . But, imho: I'd pair up your M3 w/ say a:

- Epson R-D1
- Fuji X100

* I can not see myself giving up film to replace it with digital. Its both or for "me": film :)
 
PT gave you some good advice, but if you only want one and don't want to deal with film, then sure, M8. Just remember that your 50mm turns into a 66.5mm lens on the M8.
 
Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again. :)
 
allenroh said:
Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again. :)
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^ Great choice ! You won't regret it ;)

Think of the Fuji X100 as a "light meter" that "Compliments" your M3, but also captures great images/moments. :D
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For the X100 Gang: I own a X100 as well :p, Its Great :D
 
Part of the fun, for me, in using a mechanical camera is the 'experience' in taking the photo. It's not so final product oriented. You pretty much lose all that with digital camera.
 
allenroh said:
Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again. :)
Click to expand...

That sounds like a great decision!! Enjoy.
 
I had a very nice M3 and an older, very kind, German camera enthusiast told me, "Never sell your M3, you'll regret it." it was good advice. But I sold it to get me M8. I love my M8 and carry it almost every day. I have and M6, but long for my M3. On the one hand I adore my M8 bit on the other, I still covet an M3 but. It enough to sell an M6 to get it. My perfect corral of Leicas is: M8, M6, WWII IIIc, and an M3. I count myself very fortunate indeed to have found 3 of the 4. I can be patient for the M3. I'm sure that this provides no help whatsoever with your question. Enjoy the quest!
 
"Never sell your M3, you'll regret it." They should write it on every film canister... congratulations to the OP for the decision!
 
Funny.

My experience is my GF1 gets all the daily grab shots. It is so much more versatile, with flash and auto-focus arm's-length shooting. I've seen so many shots that I couldn't have done with a manual focus camera.

So, my Leica's are certainly being under-used.

Maybe my point is, the M3 is a very different tool than the auto-focus, flash-equipped digi-camera. Your X100 will find very different usage, even compared to the situation if you had bought an M8. (e.g. the UV/IR filters drove me nuts).




allenroh said:
... i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again. :)
Click to expand...
 
In my opinion, Leica has gone downhill since the M3 with very little exception. Using the M3 is a better experience than using an M7, an M8, or an M9. It just is... I guess the only real exception is the MP, but I'm not even so sure about that one.

And I say this as a guy with an M6 and an M3... I'd still love to have an M9, but I wouldn't trade my M3 for one - crazy enough.
 
I'm going through a similar thought process but have decided to get a D2 instead :) That's for the moment enough of a digital Leica plunge for me :D
 
I am using an M3 with a 50mm Summilux and an M8 with a 35mm Summicon. I got the M8 mainly for traveling, because of all the hassle with film. I also use the M8 like a light meter , and for composing in studio, when shooting film with a Hassy or 4x5. That way I can switch lenses and back and forth as well. If you have an M3 that works the way you like it, don't sell it, because it will not be pleasant trying to replace it later. Keep the M3 and try to add an M8, so you can use both for different types of situations.
 
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