Eisenstaedt's M3 and 35mm lens

[macmx]

Reading a bit online, it seems that Eisenstaedt's M3-E was a precursor to the MP, however, he mostly shot on a 35mm lens, but seemingly without goggles. Does anyone know if the viewfinder was standard M3 magnification or more like an M2?

 

[x-ray]

I would imagine it’s a standard M3 finder otherwise he could have just used an M2 which is Leicavit compatible without modification.

I also suspect he used a 35mm finder in the shoe. Ive seen photos of a couple of his cameras with a finder on top. Just because it’s not shown here doesn’t mean he didn’t use one.

It is possible to approximate the 35mm frame using the entire area of the M3 VF. As you know Leica frame lines are approximate at best. But the downside of using the entire frame is the lack of parallax correction which is valuable at close distances. The same could be said about the add on finders even though they have parallax correction lines etched in them for close distance. They are only approximate.

 

[rfaspen]

Ah. That focus tab...or whatever we might call it!

 

[shawn]

I would imagine it’s a standard M3 finder otherwise he could have just used an M2 which is Leicavit compatible without modification.

Maybe, but that top is a combination of a M3 look on the front but with a M2 type frame counter.

 

[x-ray]

Maybe, but that top is a combination of a M3 look on the front but with a M2 type frame counter.

The auto reset counter of the M3 doesn’t work with a Leicavit and the M2 shaft that the take up spool fit on was longer with a coupling that worked with the Leicavit and later the motor.

I doubt he had his camera modified just because he liked the M3 look. Again if it’s an M2 VF there would be no reason to have an M3 top on it. Just go with an M2 and save the time and money for the modification.

The MP had the M3 VF with the M2 shutter / counter and coupling system. That’s basically what this is.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

That locking focus tab was one of my favorite features on my old f/3.4 Super Angulon. It's the reason I wanted a V1 35mm Summicron, optics be damned, the haptics of that tab were simply perfect for me.
Phil

 

[raydm6]

Never knew this camera existed. Pretty wild. Thanks for sharing @macmx.

Yes @rfaspen, that combination screw-mount/Summarom-M type locking focusing tab is pretty wild also. At least that what it appears to be.

Here is a closer look from this article:

A brief encounter with Alfred Eisenstaedt and a very special Leica

Leica - A brief encounter with Alfred Eisenstaedt and a very special Leica

www.macfilos.com

 

[ddutchison2]

I Imagine that it's quite possible that Eisenstaedt just picked up any camera at-hand for the portrait and not one configured for his actual working use. He often used his developing tray as an ash-tray and and happily let people (who cared) believe that this was part of his printing technique - he seemed to enjoy confounding the experts.

​

 

[x-ray]

One reason I’m pretty sure the RF/VF is an M3 type is the center window. M2’s used a fresnel type of window and the M3 used a frosted glass for the frame illumination. The M3 RF/VF were unique to the M3 and all other models, M2, M4, etc, used the M2 style.

 

[Rob-F]

One reason I’m pretty sure the RF/VF is an M3 type is the center window. M2’s used a fresnel type of window and the M3 used a frosted glass for the frame illumination. The M3 RF/VF were unique to the M3 and all other models, M2, M4, etc, used the M2 style.

Yes I believe that nails it. Almost no doubt it's a prototype of the MP. With "E 1" for Eisenstaedt model one.

 

[Ororaro]

Looks like an mp precursor to me. And that 35 cron v1, the best 35mm lens ever. I asked my wife to stitch mine into my chest when I get burried.

 

[Glenn2]

Yes, and it’s a Canadian lens. Rather than the cron I went with the Lux, it’s also a Canuck and still in my possession.

Glenn