Trying to get caught up here. I really! appreciate all of the advice and commentary that all of you have given me. I thought this was going to be a simple process, but I'm seeing now many more possibilities than I previously considered.
loquax ludens, I am not sure where you live, but buying a M3 from SK, DAG or Tony Rose or camera's West...any reputable dealer, it will be backed with a return guarantee. If your M3 has has been serviced by Sherry or Kindermann or DAG, you can be sure it will last for a long time. Either way, it will come to you in the condition they described it: so buy an excellent condition M3 and don't look back...except to pick out a great lens 🙂 With the M3 and a good hand held meter (eg a sekonic L308S), you will won't be lacking anything; this is truly a case of less is more!
Dallas Texas. By SK, I presume you mean SK Grimes? I've done business with SK in the past, before and after Mr. Grimes passed away. They did some excellent LF lens work for me. Aside from Youxin, DAG, and Sherry, I'm not familiar with the others you mentioned but I appreciate the recommendations. Now I have some more leads to run down. Thank you.
I do use a Sekonic L508 with my LF kit, but it's kind of bulky. I haven't looked at the 308.
Why limit yourself? Or pay more? My DS M3 is a great camera. Nothing like collector grade but a good user, not dinged up, and quite an attractive camera (as M3s seem to be 😀 ) both to use and to look at. Oh, and I think I prefer the DS action. I don't use it for lenses shorter than 50mm, though. (I have other cameras for that.)
If that would limit you then an M3 probably isn't ideal. Buy something else first, then buy an M3. Everybody should have an M3 🙂 .
Long lenses are not a problem. That's my preference in fact. That's one reason why the .91x viewfinder on the M3 appeals to me.
Having never handled an M3, DS or SS, I can't claim to have a preference. Good user for less money is an appealing idea too. The main thing I worry about on an older M3 is a deteriorating viewfinder or invisible RF patch, but it sounds like buying from a reputable source will go far toward reducing that concern.
Why MP, not M6?
I've found an 0.85x viewfinder M6 as good as the M3 and, I presume, the MP. I no longer want an MP. Plus I have a meter to boot, if I want to use it.
Denton
The MP is a think of beauty in my eyes. That and the simplicity of the camera and the quality appeal to me. That said, I don't plan to baby any camera I buy. It'll be a user.
Now that I know the M3 was also built to high standards, it's in the running too. I have no doubt, Denton, that I would enjoy any M in good condition. I just think I'd like to stick with MP or M3 for starters. My first M probably won't be my last. You gotta start somewhere right?
Unless you have a burning desire to buy new, or have the cash burning a hole in your pocket, I see no reason to shell out $5000 to buy a new MP. If you're patient you can get a clean used MP for less than half that, or save yourself another $1,500 on that and buy a used M6. It does the exact same job. Just my 2cents 😀
I wish I had cash burning a hole in my pocket! Truly, it's not likely I'd buy a new MP, but used with a .85x viewfinder seems to be a bit scarcer than the .72.
