Just Joined M3 Club

[dryice66]

I have just joined the M3 Club - I must admit it was a steep learning curve as I get used to the handling of this heavy but exceptionally fine camera. Film loading is a nightmare so far, focussing is quite fun, and the idea of being totally reliant on your own judgement is both scary and thrilling - esp. after being digital with an E500 for so long.

Anyway, I picked it up with a duff lens (summicron 50mm) that I had exchanged a couple of days ago when rolls one and two were less than spectacular - focus seemed to be an issue even when the images aligned.

Swapped it for a lovely little Nokton 40mm / F1.4 as I like to shoot after dark.
Think I will need one of those VCII that everyone's talking about... any opinions on this?

Oh .... Anyone remember their first time???

 

[vrgard]

Congrats on the M3 and welcome to the forum. Re the VCII, since you asked, yeah it's a perfect complement to an M3. Really does look like it was made for it. As for the Nokton 40, there are some real believers in that lens around these parts.

Enjoy,
Randy

 

[Artorius]

Satan alert

Satan alert

Post 666, watch out, better post another quick less you be proclaimed Satan. lol
As to the 40 Nokton, it is my favorite lens with the M3.

Congrats on the M3 and welcome to the forum. Re the VCII, since you asked, yeah it's a perfect complement to an M3. Really does look like it was made for it. As for the Nokton 40, there are some real believers in that lens around these parts.

Enjoy,
Randy

 

[mfunnell]

M3s are great cameras, with a wonderful finder. I imagine the Nokton 40/1.4 would be a good fit if you allow for framing just outside the 50mm frame line. (I don't know from personal experience and despite the temptation, I've suffered too badly from the dreaded gear acquisition syndrome of late to really risk thinking about it.)

You'll get used to the film loading (though I doubt you'll ever learn to love it). I've had good use from my VCII meter, but find it works better for me when hand-held rather than mounted on the accessory shoe (if I use it like that I tend to forget to set shutter speed on the camera after fiddling with the meter :bang: ).

Welcome to the M3 club - I find it great and think you will too.

...Mike

 

[vrgard]

Post 666, watch out, better post another quick less you be proclaimed Satan. lol
As to the 40 Nokton, it is my favorite lens with the M3.

Funny that you commented on that, Art, since I too noticed the number after making that post. Okay, now that I've responded to you the curse has been lifted!

-Randy

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Congratulations on your newly acquired M3!

Now... I didn't get a nice Leica setup from the getgo. My M3 came and it was in sad cosmetic condition, but I still fitted it with a Summicron 50 and took it out for a walk. I had purchased a Leica MR meter, had it conditioned, cleaned and adjusted, and once I had the camera I put them to work. It was a cinch.

I've used it without meter... trying to guesstimate exposure. It was fun, but I was developing my film so I didn't pay for my mistakes.

Now... you say something strange: that film loading is a nightmare. How come? The M3 has an nice, easy system. It takes some time getting used to because it takes time to load the camera, but from that to being nightmarish? Do you have an take-up spool in the camera or it came equipped with the "easy load"? I like loading my M3 because there's no chance of a misload: you just grab your film, insert the leader in the clip of the take-up spool, place them in the camera and you're good to go.

Is that how your camera works? 'Cuz other Leicas, newer models, have the "quick load" system that really can be a pain until you master it.

 

[Artorius]

First, Randy you are now saved, and expected to buy another M product. lol

Second, with the 40 and M3, I use the outer most part of the viewfinder for framing. Works great.

M3s are great cameras, with a wonderful finder. I imagine the Nokton 40/1.4 would be a good fit if you allow for framing just outside the 50mm frame line. (I don't know from personal experience and despite the temptation, I've suffered too badly from the dreaded gear acquisition syndrome of late to really risk thinking about it.)

You'll get used to the film loading (though I doubt you'll ever learn to love it). I've had good use from my VCII meter, but find it works better for me when hand-held rather than mounted on the accessory shoe (if I use it like that I tend to forget to set shutter speed on the camera after fiddling with the meter :bang: ).

Welcome to the M3 club - I find it great and think you will too.

...Mike

 

[dryice66]

Congratulations on your newly acquired M3!

Now... you say something strange: that film loading is a nightmare. How come? The M3 has an nice, easy system. It takes some time getting used to because it takes time to load the camera, but from that to being nightmarish? Do you have an take-up spool in the camera or it came equipped with the "easy load"? I like loading my M3 because there's no chance of a misload: you just grab your film, insert the leader in the clip of the take-up spool, place them in the camera and you're good to go.

Is that how your camera works? 'Cuz other Leicas, newer models, have the "quick load" system that really can be a pain until you master it.

Guess you could say that's down to me mastering the "new" manual system! You're right, once you've loaded, it spools like a dream. I guess I have been spoiled by my old SLR where loading took seconds instead of a minute or two. But I think I will get used to it.

BTW, thanks for all the interesting comments - am looking forward to learning lots from everyone and sharing a few experiences along the way.