whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
I would have to go with the ZM, if just for the rangefinder.
cassel
Well-known
I would love to try before I buy
. Just to confuse things further- what about a Leica m3 ? Good magnification for longer lenses.... No automation
. Just to confuse things further- what about a Leica m3 ? Good magnification for longer lenses.... No automationcassel
Well-known
Going to try a Leica M3 first- I think the greater magnification viewfinder will work well with my 50mm and fast 85mm lens. My back-up plan is the Hexar RF: even with the .60 finder- I think the automation and the price is attractive. I've heard some not so good opinions about the build quality of the Ikon and they are hard to find for under $1,000. Wish I could test ride all of them
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
For the lenses you use, the M3 can be the answer to your prayers. See how to lay your hands on one and be amazed at how it looks with a 50mm lens attached; it's like the whole viewfinder is your field of view. It's also nicer to use with long glass (I have an Elmar collapsible to use with my M3 body), but things change if you want to use anything wider than 50. I think there is only one wide-angle for the M3: the Summaron 35mm (can be f2.8 or 3.5) and has goggles (and needs to be used with them always). I recall there being a 'cron 35 too (with goggles).
Otherwise, if your 35mm lens doens't have goggles you'll need a separate VF to figure out the field of view.
So, keep that in mind... and silently lean towards the ZI. It's beautiful, BTW, and feels nice in the hand.
Otherwise, if your 35mm lens doens't have goggles you'll need a separate VF to figure out the field of view.
So, keep that in mind... and silently lean towards the ZI. It's beautiful, BTW, and feels nice in the hand.
aizan
Veteran
why the m3 instead of the m2? just don't use the 35mm lens enough?
cassel
Well-known
The .92 finder of the M3 is the appeal, plus I don't use the 35mm all that often- I have an external brightline finder when I do.
I think the 90mm frames of the M3 will be easier to see + long baseline length of the rangefinder= accurate composition and focus
The Bessa R3A is another possibility- bright 1:1 finder - but short rangefinder length BUT it has AE and is pretty cheap:bang:
The M3 seems like a solid investment as well as a good user....
cassel
Well-known
I went with option "C" 1958 M3 non-original black paint. I made this decision based on the fact that it's had a DAG CLA and has a nice finder- should work well for focusing the fast 50 and 85 lenses that are my favorites. I have not had any automated rangefinders so I don't think I will miss the AE of the ZI and the Hexar...but I wouldn't be surprised if I buy one in the future- can't afford all of them!
1958 M3 non-original black paint. I made this decision based on the fact that it's had a DAG CLA and has a nice finder- should work well for focusing the fast 50 and 85 lenses that are my favorites. I have not had any automated rangefinders so I don't think I will miss the AE of the ZI and the Hexar...but I wouldn't be surprised if I buy one in the future- can't afford all of them!