Is it true, still? M3 the greatest?

Whether the M3 is the greatest camera is not the question. The question is whether it is the greatest "gadget." In other words, a mechanical (or electronic) focal point of masculine gear lust and engineering appreciation. The fact that we are still talking about a 50+ year old gadget today proves without a doubt that the M3 is the greatest gadget of all time. Anybody talking about their Game Boy or Walkman? The fact that people will still discuss, without irony, whether an M2 or M6 is better or worse just proves the point still further.
 
I am currently infatuated by my new iTouch. But I doubt that in 50 years from now it would still be talked about.
 
The M3 VF/RF is more complex than the M2 and those that followed. They had the "Economy Model" optics in them. Flare coming in through the frameline illumination window can cause the RF patch to "Flare-Out" in the M2 and Leica M's that continued that design. The M3 optics are different, and the RF patch will not "flare" due to the Frameline illumination window. In that sense, "it is a better gadget" than the M2 as the design better supports the intended function.

The M3 has the best viewfinder of any 35mm camera ever made in the known coarse of history and detected by deep-space probes.
 
The M3 bottom plate can be used for a Spoon. It is removable and dual-purpose.

The M3 Spool is also removable and can be used for a wheel.

Anybody see the episode of the "Emperor's New School" where Kronk invents the Bucket Handle as the Bucket had already been invented? Buckets beat spoons and forks cause you can eat with your hands but hands do not make very good buckets. They do make decent "Small Leaky Buckets". And they make miserable cameras because of light leaks. You can get your fingers to simulate a Pinhole, but not very good at holding film.
 
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The M3 currently supports over Thirty 50mm lenses that have been on my Kitchen Table.

(But not on Cliff's Kitchen Table)
 
The M3 has the best viewfinder of any 35mm camera ever made in the known coarse of history and detected by deep-space probes.....Brian Sweeney.......

now that is funny.......thanks Brian
 
Man, I thought this thread will be brief.

How about Canon P? that's the *only* camera from Canon that I truly admire.

I think it's better than M3 (having used both).
If you disagree, don't pout and stomp, give me your reasons.
 
shadowfox said:
Man, I thought this thread will be brief.

How about Canon P? that's the *only* camera from Canon that I truly admire.

I think it's better than M3 (having used both).
If you disagree, don't pout and stomp, give me your reasons.
Click to expand...

For me, it comes down to the shutter, feel of the M3 in my hand, and rangefinder patch. I don't like the SLR feel of the P, the round RF patch, and the louder clunkier shutter.
 
The M3 has projected framelines rather than etched lines, and the RF patch of the M3 is well defined rather than fuzzy at the edges. The placement of the RF window of the Canon P is placed too closely to the lens, and Canon's own 85mm F2 lens and 135mm F4 lens Blocks the RF patch, causing the RF image to disappear in the viewfinder. It is even worse when using an RF coupled 200mm lens...
 
back alley said:
after reading this thread i find myself thinking about an m2...and liking my rd1 even more!
Click to expand...

I am sure you already know that you could use the R-D1 with both eyes open...the frameline just floats in mid-air; the same for the Nikon S3 that I used to own.

VF magnification at 1.0X is best.
 
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