fulfil brian's dream

I looked at the title of this post, and before reading it thought "Every RFF member getting an M3".

I never have any strong opinions, and even if I did, I would never think of expressing them...
 
Brian Sweeney said:
I looked at the title of this post, and before reading it thought "Every RFF member getting an M3".

I never have any strong opinions, and even if I did, I would never think of expressing them...
Click to expand...

Hey, I got one so Brian would be happy! :D :D :D

Todd
 
My work here is SO rewarding!

I met another yound woman at a camera shop that also wanted a Leica. I told her that I let my 6-year old use the M3 this weekend. Every Father should want to get their Daughter a Leica.
 
I love the silky feel and great VF/RF of a good M3 DS (even better than my M6) but, and it's a big but, no 35 framelines is a killer for me. (can't stand the 35's with goggles either).
Seriously looking at an M2 at the moment tho. Does that count, Brian?
;)

tim
 
The M2 is a great choice, especially for 35mm focal length.

I have had my M2 for a short while, and the finder is great. The 35mm lines are visible with my glasses, and the 90mm lines are very usable. Only one set of lines visible at a time; although having more than one set visible in the SP never confused me.

The M3 and M2 seem to be going for cheap these days. I would rate mine in "EX" condition. I suppose the collectors snap up the near mint ones, making those "meter marks" worth about $500 off of a great user.

The M3 finder is fundamentally different, more than just finder magnification, from the other M-series cameras, and was "discontinued" because of its high cost. I have yet to see its RF patch "flare-out", but if the light is "just-wrong", I have seen the M2 "flare-out".
 
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Using a friend's M2 I have never seen the finder patch flare out; neither have I seen it with my M6TTL - in spite of the conventional wisdom.
I have had the M6's right hand side frameline on the 90mm frame flare out tho.....

tim
 
I'd really like to help but the Bessa R3A was priority number one on my shopping list because of AE. Maybe next year... I will have to collect some money first. The bug is really expensive :-D
 
The best advice I can give if you have a Bessa is DO NOT handle an M Leica.
The Bessa is a very very good camera. Be happy with it.......

:(

tim
 
An M2 would be my prefered choice as M-Mount camera. Same reasons as Brian...

I wonder if it's worth posting a WTB "User" M2 here or on photo.net?...

Also on the subject of M2 VF versus M6 VF...
...no!...why???...

Stu :)
 
I have an M2! Brian's dream is one step closer to fulfillment. :)
 
I would just like to have my contax back :(

An M-whatever would need lenses too... So little money, indeed.
 
On The M2 Finder Flare: After reading about this, I intentionally positioned the camera to make it flare, just to see what people were talking about. With the M3, the 2nd image was always visible even with trying to find a blind spot.

Pherdi, I wish your Caontax would come back. It is the smoothest Knob-Wind camera that I have ever used.

I have used Nikon SlR's for almost 30 years, and Nikon RF's for ten years. I bought my first Leica 2 years ago and a Canon 7 shortly after. As I told Richard Tillis at a camera show "I made the mistake of buying an M3 last year and now I am hooked! That viewfinder is incredible and the shutter is so quiet!" His answer was simple, "There's a reason why they are a legend, they're great cameras."

I added the M2 to use with the 35mm LTM lenses, and it was a great price. It is the "button rewind", which is not as bad as some people claim. Lay the camera in the palm of your left hand, keep the button pressedwith your thumb, and rewind with your right hand. If you can get the lever rewind version, like the M3, it is easier.
 
@Tim
I like my Bessas and would not leave them but I must admit that the M3 is a beauty. Maybe it is the thing noone really can explain. The bug?
Is there any strong reason against a Leica from your point of view?

BTW... I am already a bit Leica contaminated because of my R-E and R3.
 
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When I had my M6 .72 version, it flared all the time. Most times I was still able to use it but there were those instances that RF flare rendered the shot impossible to focus. I didn't think a whole lot about it and would reposition or move on.
Now that I have an M3 I can see why people complained about the RF patch flair, the M3 has none.
I thought the lack of 35mm frame line would be a bother as well but I think you can approximate full frame on the M3 and get pretty darn close (I haven't tried yet). The magnification of the finder works very well in focusing fast 50's like my 50mm summilux so it works for me.
My M3 was made in 1959 and has a few character marks on the top plate but they seem to add to it's charm. The previous owner was a very nice lady and had it CLA'ed in '04 so it works great!

Todd
 
you guys, better stop talking about M Leicas....

(must stop reading this forum...must stop reading this forum...must stop reading this forum...)
 
LilRed',
Come to the "M" side, the "M" can make you very powerful, use the "M".

Now go to your quiet place and repeat these mantra's 1000 times each:

"Leica invented 35mm, all others are crap"

An "M" camera will take me from amature to artist"

and my most relaxing mantra:

"Erwin Puts is not the Anti-Christ"

there now, feel better? :) :)

Todd
 
Natalie,

You just cannot go wrong with a classic M3 or M2 and the prices are currently low for cameras in EX condition. The collectors want mint models, and they will go for over $1,000. An M3 (or M2) will run about the price of a Canon 7Sz but is quieter and has a better finder. If cost is a big driver, The Canon 7 with its selenium cell is a great bargain at ~$200 (body) and the Canon P at ~$250.
 
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