Do we really need a Preview Lever on an M body?

Doug said:
You won't get that nice smooth look unless you take off the rewind lever too...😛
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How about dispensing of all levers. Make it a leicavit only option for use with robot cassettes (the ones where you wind the film into another cassette).
 
Actually, Nikon has an option (and I think Canon too) where the film gets wound onto the take-up spool first and advances into the canister. That would be good.
 
The M3, just like the M2, have this frameline selector/lever (aka "preview" selector/lever). It is my educated guess that the OP read "preview" selector in the above-typed context.

If indeed his M3 has no "preview" selector, which evidently the M2 has, then it must be a rare collector's item.

If I'm wrong in my assumptions, then so be it (since they're based on what's typed above). In any case, the whole thing just doesn't make complete sense.
 
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Far from nit-picking, I think it's brilliant that the OP has questioned, where no-one else has, this thoroughly dispensable near constant of the 57 year M line - some early M3s had no frame line selector lever.
 
Roger Hicks said:
No, no, no, a thousand times no. To save a modest amount on adapters, you're willing to have the wrong frame? You can forget to change frames; the frame selector can get knocked.

Also, how will it "It would also allow them to invent new focal lengths without having the M mount support it, like wides etc"? There have been M-mount (or screw, M-adaptable) lenses in 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 35, 40, 50, 60, 73, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 105, 127, 135, and (I think) 150, 180, 200.

Cheers,

R
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My mistake, I thought the M mount could only automatically engage a few focal lengths, and there was no auto-frameline for say a 21mm lens.
 
Richard G said:
I think it's brilliant that the OP has questioned, where no-one else has, this thoroughly dispensable near constant of the 57 year M line - some early M3s had no frame line selector lever.
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Well, the M3 only had 3 framelines and the 50mm lines were certainly the focus. Remember, the M3 was made right after the barnacks which had only 50mm framelines.

It's only dispensable to some, so Leica obviously knows some people use it. I think it is great. Why not use it instead of just guess which lens length might be best?
 
Richard G said:
Far from nit-picking, I think it's brilliant that the OP has questioned, where no-one else has, this thoroughly dispensable near constant of the 57 year M line - some early M3s had no frame line selector lever.
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Well, I'll be a sonofagun. Some M3s actually didn't have this lever? Now I'm curious: did the "original" M3 have it, and then they hesitated along the way, or maybe they tried to offer some "cost-effective" models (like they did with the M2 and its handful of variations)...

My M2 doesn't have the self-timer, and believe me, it makes it look less cluttered. I wonder if that also/instead may have been part of it?
 
I removed it on both of my M3s, self-timer too. Don't miss it.

1181335235_sEiJ9-M.jpg
 
So, what is a discussion forum, with out...... discussion?? My original post was a curiosity to see what other people thought about this part. I had no idea people would think me an idiot for asking others opinions (on a discussion forum).

My M3 does NOT have the lever in question. It is not a rare bird, just an early model before Leica decided they should add it.

test_shot_2_by_dudewithad700-d38mgi1.jpg
 
I actually prefer the M2 without the self-timer. The frameline selector lever is so small it's not too big of a deal. Although I like Ferider's version.



Yes, that's my M2. I don't think I have another shot of it posted online.

And no, that's not me.
 
An overlooked reason to further bash the M5: Two levers. Self-timer. Frame selector/battery check.
No wonder it is so big, heavy, clumsy and horrible.
No good very bad camera it is.
 
I would trade mine for a self timer, but really, could do without either. Don't change lenses when out and about and only carry one camera at a time.
 
I think that having the capability of taking a lightmeter reading before winding is more useful. Also I prefer manual switching of frames a la canon 7.
 
All I know is that I sometimes think about getting a 25mm lens for my M8, but once I hit the preview lever and look at the framelines, I snap out of it. Saves me trouble of buying one to test it... 😉
 
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