I Love my M3

I just sold my Nikon D90 DSLR kit after using it only for shooting macros for Ebay for the past year and a half. (I had to use my G-10 to shoot photos of it of the Ebay listing) I get the whole thing for folks, like Keith, who need it for certain types of work, but that's not me. I suppose that I am becoming a "method" photographer, shooting only things that I can shoot with a RF. If I know that I am going on an outing where everyone is going to be shooting nature or landscapes, I'll go, but take an old or odd camera to fun around with. There are so many that are shooting good landscapes and nature photos that I feel no need to shoot them myself. To go back to Dave's original post, I love taking my M3 out and caring it daily because it is just comforting and nice. It gives me some faith in a world where people could design and produce such a lovely and long lasting thing.
 
Dave, I feel pretty much the same about my M2, particularly w/ a Canon 50/1.5 or a Summitar attached. Something very elemental and right about shooting with those tools.
 
back alley said:
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!
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Agreed! :):):)
 
buzzardkid said:
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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Gee, Johan, looks like you have been leading the way for awhile with that beautiful black M2!;)
 
Back when I had a job, I used the D90 and then a D300 for work projects. Loved them and enjoyed them along with my own DSLRs, the D2H and D2X.

But then, I was doing a lot of sports photography, motorsports, etc. and I really needed those awesome tools. That was about the time I was introduced to RFF and my first rangefinder, the S3 2000, by Jon. It has been all rangefinder for me since then with a few excursions for specialty gear and the occasional Nikon SLR of course.:)
 
Pastor Chris said:
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"?
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Actually, I believe you have uncovered my inner-most secret about not carrying a camera! I admit to not carrying one when I am too tired or bored with a particular event, place, people, or occasion. Some memories are better left alone and not recorded on film...or digital.:eek:

So, yes, I will carry a camera in my pocket, fanny pack or on my shoulder sometimes and never use it. In fact, I just realized I did that all day today! And I do have those feelings of protest, I really do... as a former city planner and professor of such, I have a lot of disdain for many things in the urban environments and will not waste my energy on certain things.

I swear I was never a radical protestor in my younger years and yet I fully admit that I have been a bit on the, uh, rebellious side since youth and fully admired protests, the hippie movement and psychedelic music.:eek: Got some photos around here that need scanning that indicate such with the hair styles and sideburns of the sixties and seventies.:rolleyes: Mis-spent youth and it is not done yet.
 
Ha ha! Dave the rebel hippie! As a pastor, I am not bashful about speaking with a prophetic voice; speaking "truth to power", nor am I bashful about my witness to my faith. In general, my 14 year old son is appreciative of these voices, but every once in awhile I start to sound like a conspiracy-theorist and he has a look and a particular way of saying, "daaad". I know that in those moment he sees me with long hair, tiedye, and the sideburns. I generally back off for his benefit and continues ability to live in our small town. It ain't easy being a preacher's kid.
 
Dave, show us Savannah from the point of view of a Leica M3 owner!

And Dave, may I use your quote and stick it in my FB page, it's got to cause a wide audience to comment!
 
Yes, the M3 is an amazing experience in photography. I cannot envision selling my M3 ever. There are occasions in which I prefer other cameras though.

I am glad that you are having a blast, David.
 
Pastor Chris said:
Ha ha! Dave the rebel hippie! As a pastor, I am not bashful about speaking with a prophetic voice; speaking "truth to power", nor am I bashful about my witness to my faith. In general, my 14 year old son is appreciative of these voices, but every once in awhile I start to sound like a conspiracy-theorist and he has a look and a particular way of saying, "daaad". I know that in those moment he sees me with long hair, tiedye, and the sideburns. I generally back off for his benefit and continues ability to live in our small town. It ain't easy being a preacher's kid.
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Hey, Chris...from what I have seen, it ain't easy being a preacher either!

Tell ya what, next time you pass through Atlanta (ATL for short), we need to have a glass of ice-cold tea with mint and lemon to compare notes!!!:D
 
RBruceCR said:
Dave, show us Savannah from the point of view of a Leica M3 owner!
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You know what? I haven't shot Savannah with the M3...ever... and I have been thinking of doing a personal documentary just for fun. And you have just given me some ideas!!!:angel:

Here is a taste of Savannah from my pre-M3 days:

Plantation Entrance with Live Oaks/Spanish Moss:
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Tybee Lighthouse:

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I see the world very different! I carry a camera all the time! If i was at an event i was not happy with..I'd still take some pix! I cannot but think of that missed shot with all the screens lit up, in the first part of thread.
My M3 is in many ways on its last legs. I have used it since 1967, when it was new.If you worry about the safety of an expensive and or fragile camera, then maybe you should use something else!
My M3 needs new vulcanite, has dings and dents, deep scratches.
Hey I am 68 and not as good as in '67. Use it and don't abuse it.
 
leicapixie said:
My M3 is in many ways on its last legs. I have used it since 1967, when it was new.If you worry about the safety of an expensive and or fragile camera, then maybe you should use something else!
My M3 needs new vulcanite, has dings and dents, deep scratches.
Hey I am 68 and not as good as in '67. Use it and don't abuse it.
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Very intersting to hear from someone who bought their M3 new! Is it really on its last legs mechanically? I am curious to know what finally sounds the death knell for one of these. It seems as though, with good maintenance, that can go on almost indefinitely, but not without replacing but occasionally. What is the service history of yours? Thanks for your story.
 
My new M3 arrived in non-working condition! While the warranty had 3(three) signatures of testing, the rangefinder was not working due to absence of parts!
I was not given a replacement. This M3 had it's final assembly in South Africa.
It was used for fashion, press and later photojournalism. Many world trips! Most repaired of my Leica-M's.
Last legs! Well the age of camera and risk of a bump ending the viewfinder, all too real.My M2 model actually older but hardly used(in comparison) has certain parts NO longer available.. TG still working.
I guess about 8,000 rolls through it.
I've thought of selling but with so much history for us both, not possible.
After all these years(1967) I still excited to load film, see pix and shoot with it!
 
You have just confirmed, leicapixie, that ownership (and the bond) takes a lifetime to realize.

I feel the same way about my M3.

And getting there with the IIIF and the Leica R4.:angel:
 
Yes it is good to have lots of cameras, but my M3 requires my attention on a daily basis. First it is beautiful but also for me the lack of meter creates almost a mystical feel of feeling the exposure and holding a jewel at the same time. Yes I am sloppy in love.
 
Nicely put Akiva. I especially like your reference to the experience of choosing the exposure without anything but your eye and experience. Very intimate.
 
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