I Love my M3

dave lackey

dave lackey

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After using the FE2 and other similar cameras (not to mention my DSLRs that are no longer), I always find myself amazed at the M3 with the Summarit lens attached.

The feel. The weight. The precision movements. The aesthetics. The lack of a screen???? YES, the lack of a "live screen" is fantastic!

Spent a couple of miserable hours at the local Performing Arts Center last night where there were hundreds of LCD screens lit up in the dark. Even huge iPad screens. Everywhere I looked, screens, screens, screens!:eek:

I love my M3. The sensual feel, the kiss of a seductress upon pressing the shutter. The knowledge that this particular camera has been around for 51 years and all of those new upstarts will be landfill in a fraction of that time. Heh, heh....the M3 (and, yes, all M bodies) are in another world these days.

Sadly, I did not take a camera because the event was like a half dozen that preceded it... awful. I just didn't want to subject the M3 to such a thing. But, happily, I don't have any images to remember this event.

Ah, well, it is time to get my lazy bum back to work exercising the M3 and it's buddies. I have documentaries to complete. Portraits to make and a crazy dog to chase.:)

Sometimes ya just gotta say something nice about your camera if only to say, thank you, in a sense.:angel:

But, here's the catch...

Realizing ownership of a camera you love will take a lifetime of using it.
 
I'm glad you're so passionate about your M3 Dave ... we need something in our lives that makes us feel this way because life can suck a little bit at times as you are well aware!

I hope there's film to feed it in another twenty years from now and it's still giving you as much pleasure. :)
 
Keith said:
I hope there's film to feed it in another twenty years from now and it's still giving you as much pleasure. :)
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I thought about this the other day visiting vanbar imaging in Melbourne - they have a large film fridge, and about half of it is made up of kentmere/lucky/rollei style films - chinese and cheapies. It's actually a pretty comforting sight, because it makes you realize that even if the big companies like kodak and fuji get out of film, there will be 20 more small upstart companies that pop up and take their place. Some of them were like $4 a roll too!
 
Dave I'm currently working in an aquarium, and I see about 2000 digital cameras per day at least. Everything from people photographing with iPads and iPhones to canon/nikon beginner bodies up to 1d's and d4's...

I enjoy VERY much slinging my contax g1 on my shoulder and shooting a few frames on the way back from work after all that.
 
gavinlg said:
Dave I'm currently working in an aquarium, and I see about 2000 digital cameras per day at least. Everything from people photographing with iPads and iPhones to canon/nikon beginner bodies up to 1d's and d4's...

I enjoy VERY much slinging my contax g1 on my shoulder and shooting a few frames on the way back from work after all that.
Click to expand...


I'm surprised at how many people think Kodak aren't actually making film any more! I was shooting a gallery opening tonight and got into a conversation with a very interesting and photographically knowledgable guy who was intrigued with how difficult it must be to shoot in the light (or lack of) that I do. I was explaining to him about the Nikon's ability to give me decent results at 6400 ISO and we got into a conversation about film and how virtually impossible my job would have been with it!

When I told him I'm a regular black and white film shooter he asked what I use now that Kodak is no longer available! I am amazed at how many people already think Kodak is totally kaput as a film manufacturer.
 
As long as there is film I will shoot an M3 and my Nikon F (and my Nikon FE's). Period. After that they can then go into a Museum or something.
 
With an M3, why would I need film?:p I know...not being serious...:rolleyes:...but

For the camera that just bonds with me, here are the attributes, in no certain order, that I most appreciate, YMMV:

1. Aesthetics
2. Feel
3. Operation
4. Size
5. Weight
6. Materials
7. Shutter sound
8. Lenses
9. No meter
10. Makes terrific images

The actual enjoyment of making images is only one out of the top ten things I like about this camera!:) Of course, if it made bad images, I would not have an M3 but it kinda puts everything in perspective...it is just fun to use.
 
Keith said:
I'm surprised at how many people think Kodak aren't actually making film any more! I was shooting a gallery opening tonight and got into a conversation with a very interesting and photographically knowledgable guy who was intrigued with how difficult it must be to shoot in the light (or lack of) that I do. I was explaining to him about the Nikon's ability to give me decent results at 6400 ISO and we got into a conversation about film and how virtually impossible my job would have been with it!

When I told him I'm a regular black and white film shooter he asked what I use now that Kodak is no longer available! I am amazed at how many people already think Kodak is totally kaput as a film manufacturer.
Click to expand...

Same thing here, my friend who works for Yamaha and is constantly working on product photography with a hired pro thought Kodak was done for too!

And a few other conversations like that lead me to believe that Kodak needs to get the word out through advertising!:rolleyes:
 
dave lackey said:
With an M3, why would I need film?:p I know...not being serious...:rolleyes:...but

For the camera that just bonds with me, here are the attributes, in no certain order, that I most appreciate, YMMV:

1. Aesthetics
2. Feel
3. Operation
4. Size
5. Weight
6. Materials
7. Shutter sound
8. Lenses
9. No meter
10. Makes terrific images

The actual enjoyment of making images is only one out of the top ten things I like about this camera!:) Of course, if it made bad images, I would not have an M3 but it kinda puts everything in perspective...it is just fun to use.
Click to expand...
Putting this on my refrigerator to help in GAS avoidance.:D
 
kshapero said:
Putting this on my refrigerator to help in GAS avoidance.:D
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Great! I am too!

Also, the realization that actual ownership of a camera takes a lifetime to achieve is quite deep. IMO, the more you use the camera you love, of course, a bond develops and the stronger the bond, the more your images will be linked to you and the camera. Over time, a long time, one's body of work is a result of that bond and there is a photographic legacy that can not be produced in any other way.:angel:
 
Dave, I share your feelings for the M3.

I have to say though that at the moment I am shooting the IIIf I recently acquired even more! That's partly because I am getting used to the Summitar I bought with it, but also because I am rapidly developing a bond with the little thing - I have a hard time putting it down.

Since I think you also have a IIIf, I wondered how your experience compared?

Randy
 
zauhar said:
Dave, I share your feelings for the M3.

I have to say though that at the moment I am shooting the IIIf I recently acquired even more! That's partly because I am getting used to the Summitar I bought with it, but also because I am rapidly developing a bond with the little thing - I have a hard time putting it down.

Since I think you also have a IIIf, I wondered how your experience compared?

Randy
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Ah, yes...the IIIF!:)

That little camera is a revelation of sorts for me. The first two weeks, I never put it down and my wife would raise an eyebrow as I held it/aimed it/dry-fired it while watching an episode of House, M.D.:D

The bond is there, and it is slowly coming 'round but would be much faster if I had another Summarit on it, or even a very small compact lens like a collapsible. Can't seem to take the Summarit off the M3!

I must confess that I haven't shot either camera much lately. Just looking at them is enough for now.:angel: The above attributes pertain to the IIIF as well.

This month looks good for me to get back to black and white film and am still floundering without any direction at the moment. Do I need a new bag or something?
 
Could it be, Dave, that conspicuously carrying a camera to such events as you have described in this, and other, posts, yet conspicuously also never raising it to your eye, become sort of form of protest against such rubbish events? Perhaps it could be an RFF thing, being the "conspicuous un-photographer"?
 
i wonder if it's the m3 or us?

i really like my dslr kit...it's a frickin' amazing piece of technology and i'm starting to make a few decent images with it...

but it does not compare, to me, with my little rd1.

i think if you're a rangefinder guy then you're a rangefinder guy and that is it!
 
Keith said:
I'm surprised at how many people think Kodak aren't actually making film any more! I was shooting a gallery opening tonight and got into a conversation with a very interesting and photographically knowledgable guy who was intrigued with how difficult it must be to shoot in the light (or lack of) that I do. I was explaining to him about the Nikon's ability to give me decent results at 6400 ISO and we got into a conversation about film and how virtually impossible my job would have been with it!

When I told him I'm a regular black and white film shooter he asked what I use now that Kodak is no longer available! I am amazed at how many people already think Kodak is totally kaput as a film manufacturer.
Click to expand...

All folks that have watched the news that one particular day when it aired that Kodak filed for Section 8 or whatever it was called.
Most news agencies and news shows simplified the news to "Kodak is no more" to keep it simple for the masses. I saw it air in NL as well and I get the same responses from people.:( In NL they even showed Kodachrome films in the news item :bang:
 
Actually I'm without an M3 for the first time in several years now. Rick has mine, he will treat her nicely I'm sure.

But, I have the same feelings for my M2 that Nobbylon painted black (only remaining M Leica), so can I please play? :angel:
 
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