Trade M3 for M4?

[38Deardorff]

Stick with the M3 - there has been no better M camera! Period! I had an M3 and an M4P. The M3 was better built, had a better viewfinder and was an all-round better camera. Of course, I am not fussed by the need to use an accessory finder with wider lenses on an M3 (and if it fusses you then get an M2 for its ability to use 35mm lenses) but seriously it really is a better camera built, better performing all-round.

Peter, yes the M4-2/M4-P viewfinders are prone to flare..... they also have a different feel and arguably different build quality. You can't really lump the original M4 in with them. The M4 /M2/M3 are in a different class & by comparison the M4-2/M4-P are the red-headed step children. 'll buy that the M3 was superbly built but being by choice a 35mm user, the M3 never stayed on my shelf long...... the M2 on the other hand 🙂

 

[chuckroast]

Stick with the M3 - there has been no better M camera! Period! I had an M3 and an M4P. The M3 was better built, had a better viewfinder and was an all-round better camera. Of course, I am not fussed by the need to use an accessory finder with wider lenses on an M3 (and if it fusses you then get an M2 for its ability to use 35mm lenses) but seriously it really is a better camera built, better performing all-round.

Everything up to the M5 was hand fitted the best possible parts. From the M4-2 forward. every film M has used more mass manufactured parts and reduced weight components like zinc uppers rather than brass. I think the more recent M-A and MP may be an exception to this.

This is not to say that the M4-2, MP, M6, et al are bad cameras. They are not. There just not the tanks the M2, M3, M4, and M5 were. That said, if I were to get a 28mm lens, and M4-P would call me loudly.

I much prefer the 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH as my every day shooter. I thus chose the M2 over the M3. Again, if a quality M3 were to show up begging to be bought at a give away price, I wouldn't turn it down. I simply don't like the idea of having to plug in goggles to use that camera with my "normal" lens.

But we are discussing nits here. Every one of the items described here are superbly executed instrument, far better made than so much of the ethos of disposal digi-plastic cams and phones. I just took my M5 for a walk yesterday and it was sheer delight.

 

[chuckroast]

Peter, yes the M4-2/M4-P viewfinders are prone to flare..... they also have a different feel and arguably different build quality. You can't really lump the original M4 in with them. The M4 /M2/M3 are in a different class & by comparison the M4-2/M4-P are the red-headed step children. 'll buy that the M3 was superbly built but being by choice a 35mm user, the M3 never stayed on my shelf long...... the M2 on the other hand 🙂

Don't forget the M5 which had every bid the build quality of the earlier cameras. Yes, it's a tad bigger, but it sure is a great camera to shoot. I say this also owning a IIIf, M2, and M4.

 

[38Deardorff]

Don't forget the M5 which had every bid the build quality of the earlier cameras. Yes, it's a tad bigger, but it sure is a great camera to shoot. I say this also owning a IIIf, M2, and M4.

I agree re build quality, not forgotten...... (I just left out the M5 exactly since it's such a different camera....shape, size, meter.) but the OP's question was M3? or M4?....since he has an M3 & is considering exchanging against a specific M4

 

[raid]

For many years I used an M3 side by side with an M6 0.85. For me this is the perfect combo of Leica film cameras. I sometime use a 21mm lens with a Standard Leica and with such three beauties I often leave behind the IIIf. Quite often I use the M3 with the 50mm Summicron or the 75/1.4 Summilux, while the M6 gets the 35mm Summicron or Summilux.

 

[skahde]

I owned M4-P, M6 and now have a M4 from 1969 and a M3 from 1964. The only thing I can say is: I like them all and you cant go wrong with any of them if they have the framelins you need. And even then, using an accessory-finder with a wideangle of 28 mm FL or shorter is not the end of the world. Condition is becoming more and more of an issue, which throws a dark shaddow on the differences between the older models, making the differences less relevant in comparison.

 

[Mute-on]

Ok. I'm hanging onto my M3 for now. Thanks for the thoughtful and informative replies.

Excellent choice.

 

[Mcary]

Ok. I'm hanging onto my M3 for now. Thanks for the thoughtful and informative replies.

If you want you should be able to replace the take up spool on your M3 with a quickload kit, you'll still need to remove the spool between rolls to reset the film counter but once the new spool is in load film is pretty much the same as with a newer M film camera.

 

[raid]

Condition of Leica gear is important. My M3 came to me over 35 years ago from its original buyer and with the receipt from Germany. He bought two M3 cameras from the factory while he was in Germany, and "my M3" was his back-up M3 that he exercised without film twice a year or so, I recall. The matching Rigid Summicron was also in LN condition when I got it. There were several accessories all wrapped in old paper. It was like a treasure find. I never let go of my M3 outfit. It is single-stroke with SN 990,xxx. There is a Brightline 35mm finder in its box. Why would anyone sell a Leica M3!

 

[chuckroast]

Condition of Leica gear is important. My M3 came to me over 35 years ago from its original buyer and with the receipt from Germany. He bought two M3 cameras from the factory while he was in Germany, and "my M3" was his back-up M3 that he exercised without film twice a year or so, I recall. The matching Rigid Summicron was also in LN condition when I got it. There were several accessories all wrapped in old paper. It was like a treasure find. I never let go of my M3 outfit. It is single-stroke with SN 990,xxx. There is a Brightline 35mm finder in its box. Why would anyone sell a Leica M3!

To buy an M2, M4, or M5 😉

 

[raid]

I sold my M5 and M4-MOT many years ago. I was not ready then for owning a Leica M system.