I hear the dark side calling!

[sherm]

BJ:

Help me out here... why are you looking at the M3? You already told us that your lazy and always looking to make it easier so why don't you buy an M6 with TTL metering? There aree plenty of black ones, even one here today body only for $1085.00

Unless you want it for it's cache it doesn't make a lot of sense. IMHO If you have to add an additional 75 finder AND meter you're going to be looking at more money. Also if you're really serious about this and $$$ is a consideration, I wouldn't buy it in Germany.. I know it's Ronmantic and it's Valentines day but you're going to suffer GAS in the future and with Leica every dollar, euro or Franc counts!!

By the way if you're thinking about having your M3 repainted you'll have to give it up for at least 4 months and it will cost you at least 500.00 US to get a job that is professionally done.

Almost forgot... have you thought about single stroke or double stroke with the M3? DS is a PITA

Your girlfriend might not Leica the fact that you don't have the $$$ for getting married because your suffering from Leica GAS in the future, and she'll conveniently forget that it was her idea in the first place for you to buy one.

Have fun!!!

Scott

 

[AGN]

Guys and girls,

Thanks for the replies. I think tonight I'll go to Foto Gregor just to handle the M3, see if I like it. Maybe I'll try an M4-P or something similar, just to see (although low price is really a consideration here).

Like Stephanie said, the 75mm focal length is "nifty", and I'll going to make sure I can get the mileage out of the lenses I have. Has anyone used a 75mm external finder? Comments?

And for those of you wondering: Yes, Josee has two sisters, but they're both married with children. Sorry! And no, I didn't propose on the spot... took me by surprise, she did! 😀

Using the CV 75 with the CV external finder. No problems. Good luck with your search.

 

[taffer]

Well, whatever you do, let me tell you two things

1) The call of the dark side is very strong
2) You have there a treasure of a girlfriend 😉

Oscar

 

[RML]

BJ, i should echo the remark about not buying in Germany, or in Europe, period. Prices on the other side of the pond are much better. Prices not only are higher here in Europe but they are also in euros, not dollars. A $1000 camera in the US goes for at least a 1000 euro here.

 

[richard_l]

.....Almost forgot... have you thought about single stroke or double stroke with the M3? DS is a PITA.....

How so? 😕

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm with Richard. Whether the DS or SS camera is a PITA is really a personal thing. Some like it and some don't. I'd try both first before making the decision.

 

[former member]

The eyepiece on the M3SS offers more eye-relief.

Buy the Leica.

Marry the Girlfriend that suggested you buy the Leica.

 

[BJ Bignell]

Well, last night I went to Foto Gregor and played with an M3 DS. It was in nice condition, but I wasn't that impressed. It could have been the fact that the rangefinder was busted on it, and they were asking 700€. It also could have been the fact that the salesguy was acting like he was very busy, and did his best to (subtly) encourage me to leave. 🙁

Tonight, I went to another store where they have a nice M3 SS with an Elmar 50 (for 1000€!) It had a bit of rotten vulcanite, but the rf worked perfectly, and I had more time to play with it, take it apart a bit, etc. I was much more impressed, and think that maybe I likes it! It is definitely more solid than the Bessa, and silky smooth too, but surprisingly light. I really expected the M3 to weigh more (looks like heavy metal, you know?). The 50 framelines are enormous, and the viewfinder patch is huge. I didn't find the DS to be that bad, although I can imagine it would take some getting used to.

Anyways, nothing decided yet. I've seen a few selling on the 'bay for as little as 400€, so if I'm patient it just might work out. I'll try the kameraboerse that Fritz mentioned, and just generally keep my eyes open for a deal.

Your girlfriend might not Leica the fact that you don't have the $$$ for getting married because your suffering from Leica GAS in the future, and she'll conveniently forget that it was her idea in the first place for you to buy one.

My girlfriend and I are both not keen on getting married. We one day might do it, but it's out of the question for us to spend money on a wedding. I agree with a friend who once said, "If it costs more than about 100 bucks, it's just way too much." So, there's no need to worry about having to save up for big diamonds or any of that, freeing up some future monies for photo and camera purchases! 😀

Thanks for the input everyone! I'll be sure to keep you posted if I finally make a decision.

Cheers,
BJ


P.S. Foto Gregor is a dangerous place. Do not go there if you have space on your credit card. 😉 If it hadn't been for that one sales guy, I'd have walked out with all sorts of large format gear, maybe an RF645, who knows what else????

 

[jaapv]

I bought my M3 in Holland,reputable dealer, mechanically/RF as new, chrome scratched, for 400 Euro last year. Germany is not known for realistic 2ndhand Leica prices.