Bug up my butt for a second M body... M3?

[Ken Ford]

I love my M6. But...

I have this urge to get a second M body to dedicate to my 40 Cron and 90 Elmar-C. I've never been happy using a 90 with a .72 VF, and the 40 really doesn't work well for me with the existing framelines. I tried a CL earlier this year, but it just wasn't for me.

I'm wondering if a nice user M3 would work for me instead. I've read the entire VF field works well for 40MM, and that the 90MM framelines are more usable because of the higher mag finder. It would make a nice two lens outfit as a change of pace from my M6 three lens rig (28-35-75).

I've always wanted a nice M2, but an M3 seems like it would be a better second body given the lenses I want to use with it.

Comments? Anybody with a 40 and an M3 care to comment?

 

[FrankS]

Everyone needs an M3.

I have an M3 and a 40 Rokkor, but use the M3 with various 50mm lenses. A good trick is to cover the frameline illumination window either with tape or you finger while viewing, so you can use the whole viewfinder without the framelines visible, with the 40.

 

[Rafael]

M3 sounds like a very good option for you. I am looking for one to complement my M4 (also .72 VF) .

 

[slewis]

You might consider an M2 or M4-2 that would give you frame lines for 35 and thus a little more flexibility over an M3.

 

[JoeFriday]

my M3 works great with my 40/50/90 and goggled 135

I have a hard time using my CL with the 90/2, but it works extremely well on the M3

 

[rover]

Everyone needs an M3.

Thank you Frank, couldn't have said it better.😉

 

[back alley]

Thank you Frank, couldn't have said it better.😉

there used to someone else here who said that same thing...who was that?

😉

 

[ampguy]

or even better

or even better

M4P or Hexar RF for optimal 28/35/50, and the latter for pro grade metering.

You might consider an M2 or M4-2 that would give you frame lines for 35 and thus a little more flexibility over an M3.

 

[rover]

there used to someone else here who said that same thing...who was that?

😉

Yes Joe, Frank and I only honor Brian with this statement.

 

[Artorius]

Just a question

Just a question

my M3 works great with my 40/50/90 and goggled 135

I have a hard time using my CL with the 90/2, but it works extremely well on the M3

Why a goggeled 135 for the M3? It has the frameline for it.

 

[Justin Low]

I wear spectacles and find it hard to see the field outside the 50mm lines. It's great for 50 and 90mm lenses though. The larger (compared to .72x) rangefinder patch makes lowlight focusing somewhat easier.

 

[JoeFriday]

The 135/2.8 is fast. Plus really nice with the 90mm framelines on the M3.
Gives you almost a 1:1.3 view !

Roland.

exactly.. it makes focusing wide open really easy.. and with the 2" DOF at the near end of the focusing spectrum, that really counts

 

[Ken Ford]

You might consider an M2 or M4-2 that would give you frame lines for 35 and thus a little more flexibility over an M3.

Huh? I already have an M6!

 

[Ken Ford]

M4P or Hexar RF for optimal 28/35/50, and the latter for pro grade metering.

Hexar? That's no Leica! 😀

 

[Ken Ford]

Thanks for all the comments, folks. Does anyone have a link to what an M3 VF view looks like? I can't find anything.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Look through your M6 viewfinder, Ken, and imagine there's NO magnification change. That's an M3 to you! 🙂

BTW, it's a nice experience. Brian was right: everybody needs an M3! 😉

 

[venchka]

...

BTW, it's a nice experience. Brian was right: everybody needs an M3! 😉

And an M5 when accurate ttl metering is important.

😱

Running for cover. 😎

 

[Ken Ford]

Francisco, any chance we could meet up so I could see your M3 side-by-side with my M6?