Leica M3 question.

I agree Leicageek. If you had wanted the .91 M3 viewfinder, then sell this one and get an authentic M3. Try keh.com if you haven't yet already; they have good quality control.

For a guy who loves to shoot mostly at 50mm and sometimes at 135mm, the M3 is a delight to use. I reserve shooting 35mm to my M5.
 
thomasw_ said:
I agree Leicageek. If you had wanted the .91 M3 viewfinder, then sell this one and get an authentic M3. Try keh.com if you haven't yet already; they have good quality control.

For a guy who loves to shoot mostly at 50mm and sometimes at 135mm, the M3 is a delight to use. I reserve shooting 35mm to my M5.
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Yeah I know what you mean. I have cameras that can shoot wide already. I just got an original M3 the other day. It's really nice, but the rangefinder patch isn't as bright as my other M's. Is that normal with M3's? Also, isn't the M5 a great fricken camera? I love that camera. I don't really need it, but I can't see myself ever selling it. It's so nice. I put an M grip on it and it looks so great. It focuses really nice.

Sorry ranting again.
 
Leica Geek said:
Yeah I know what you mean. I have cameras that can shoot wide already. I just got an original M3 the other day. It's really nice, but the rangefinder patch isn't as bright as my other M's. Is that normal with M3's? Also, isn't the M5 a great fricken camera? I love that camera. I don't really need it, but I can't see myself ever selling it. It's so nice. I put an M grip on it and it looks so great. It focuses really nice.

Sorry ranting again.
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An M3 I had bought overseas had a not-so-bright rangefinder patch. However, after a trip to a Leica doctor for a CLA, it is now acceptably brighter. On the other hand, when I bought my M2 a year ago, its rangefinder patch was already bright. I think, it's common for M3's to have a not-so-bright rangefinder patch--considering their age. Mine also had a tiny fungus, hopefully, it'll stop growing. 🙂 Hoping, that CLA has stopped its growth.

Don't worry, be happy... 🙂
 
It's not as bright as my M5 or M6, but it's still pretty acceptable. Also, it's a little more finicky and it's like you have to have your eye in the right place for the patch to really light up.
 
ferider said:
It could be an M2R finder ... Even though the magnification of the M2 is less than .85, the 35mm framelines are more "frame filling" than on the M6 for example.
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They say it's because actual frames were reduced at times of M4P (to squeeze in 28mm), covering about 80%. M4-2 and earlier have frames closer to the actual size.
 
I put a magnifier on my M5 and it seems that because of the manification the contrast of the patch seems less bright. I think is an optical illusion and so maybe that's why my M3 seemed dim to me at first. I think I'll send it in for a cleaning soon. I think the M3 has never been CLA'd. The seal has an L on it. I suppose it could have been, but by Leica.
 
Leica Geek said:
Yeah I know what you mean. I have cameras that can shoot wide already. I just got an original M3 the other day. It's really nice, but the rangefinder patch isn't as bright as my other M's. Is that normal with M3's? Also, isn't the M5 a great fricken camera? I love that camera. I don't really need it, but I can't see myself ever selling it. It's so nice. I put an M grip on it and it looks so great. It focuses really nice.

Sorry ranting again.
Click to expand...

no, that isn't my experience, as my m3 patch is very bright and distinct; and yes, the m5 is one great frick'n camera indeed. my m3 and m5 are by far my favourite Ms. my m5 vf is not as bright as ir used to be, and it needs a minor vf cleaning....dag will do that for 150USD.

I hope you can find a M3 that has the true vf; it is my favourite🙂

good cheer to you, leica geek
 
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