M2 or M3 finder for people (longer lenses)

[gregarpp]

I still haven't figured out what camera I want to use...
I was reading on the M2 and M3 cameras.

The M3 is 50 90 135mm
The M2 is 35 50 90mm

Here are my thougths, I just want to make sure I am not missing anything. I have never seen or used a Leica M camera yet.

I use 50mm 85mm mostly on my 35mm SLR camera. (for people)
The rest is wideangle stuff.. not people - on monopod/tripod

I will of course have a 40mm/50mm in my RF kit. M3/M2 has framelines
The 75mm vc lens seems nice, but M2/M3 does not have framelines
Then there is the 90mm rokkor, which I already own. M3/M2 has framelines
Assuming I want to use these lenses for people, probably near wide open.
Is the M3 a better camera for this type of use? Better then the M2?
The M3 will show larger frame lines? My BessaR has rather small lines for the 75m m lens..

If I also want to use 28mm 35mm on the M3, I will need an external finder. But is the focus still going to be accurate?

It seems the M3 is a better choice for me...
Then again the CL and CLE are compact..

 

[FPjohn]

M3 then M6...

M3 then M6...

Hello:

The M3 IMHO is the choice if you want to photograph people with a 90mm or use a 135mm without a fov the size of a postage stamp. The M3 then the M6, .85 magnification VF version, have generous framelines using a 90mm lens, the 75mm framelines are a bit sparse on the M6 while the M3 would require a brightline finder . Focusing accuracy should not be a problem with either camera.

yours
Frank

 

[gregarpp]

The M3 will be able to focus a 28mm or 35mm lens then?
But I would need an external finder?

 

[Doug]

From what you've said, it sounds like the higher magnification models would be preferable. The 90 frames on my M2 are ok, usable, but if I were to use the lens a lot I might prefer an M3. Framelines for 75mm would be great on the M2 or M3, but don't exist. The CLE has a 0.6x viewfinder magnification, making the 90mm frames less useful... but of course offering 28mm and 40mm which I use all the time so it's a favorite. You CAN use 35mm on the M3 with an external viewfinder or buy the special 35 lens with the viewfinder-converting "goggles" attached. Some later M's have 28mm frames, but for the M2 M3 M4 you're into external viewfinders again.

 

[gregarpp]

There is no reason I need to be a Leica 28mm or 35mm finder for the M3?

I can get a 3rd party type? I see Cameraquest has a 28/35mm finder.

I supposed I can estimate the 75mm framelines based on the 90mm in the M3.
So I would need a 90mm screwmount adapter for the 75mm/2.5 lens. To bring up the 90mm lines.

 

[Doug]

Third-party finders work fine. There's also a nice CV finder for 75mm...

 

[Kyle]

If you want to use 75 you should look into the M4-P. Has all the framelines of the M6, but its cheaper because many Leicaphiles don't think its up to snuff with Leica standards, and it doesn't have a meter. Its a very nice camera and I'd still have mine, except I've always drooled over an M2, so I sold the M4-P to fund the M2. The 28/35/50/75/90 framelines are convenient.

Anyways, it sounds like you're looking at the M3/M2. From what you've said it makes absolutely no sense to buy the M3. You want to use 28/35, 50, 75 lenses. The M3 will only have framelines for the 50, you'll need finders for the 35 and 75 lenses. If you get the M2 you can use the 35 and 50 without finders, and use a finder for the 75 (or just use the 90 you have and not worry about finders). The focusing is accurate, but focusing in the camera and switching to the VF to frame is an extra step. The reason to get the M3 for its big .91 mag finder is to use its large built in framelines for the longer lenses, which is made pointless by going with the 75. Just my $0.02

 

[telenous]

Hi Greg,

I gather from what you say that you intend to use the 35-50-90 framelines. The M3 shows a greater area in its 50 and 90 framelines because of higher viewfinder magnification. I own both an M2 and (a very recently acquired) M3 and shooting with a 90mm lens is easier with the M3. I understand that no other Leica camera has quite that big magnification for the 90 framelines. I do not know if the external viewfinders for 35mm and 28mm lenses focus accurately (but I suspect they do). Having said that, if you really intend to start with all three basic lenses (35/50/90) I think the sensible choice is the M2. The framelines for the 90mm lenses are indeed narrower than in the M3 but that doesn't make them unusable. I hope that helps.

 

[former member]

Depends on which lens you plan on using the most. If you are going to use a 90mm and higher more often that the wide, go for the M3. The 90mm lines in the M3 are "bigger" and easier to use. The 90mm lines in the M2 are the same "size" (as seen by your eye) as the 135 lines in the M3.

If you are going to use a 35mm lens, you can get an external finder or find a "summaron with eyes" for use with the M3. The "eyes" go over the M3 finder/RF window and make it into a 35mm FOV.

If 40mm is wide-enough, you can get the 40/2 Summicron or 40/1.4 Nokton and use the entire finder for the FOV.

 

[gregarpp]

I will use 75mm 90mm most of the time... Then 50mm
I will use 28mm/35mm rarely

From what everyone has said the M3 makes sense.

 

[jonasv]

Cameraquest has a good deal on 75 lens and external 75 viewfinder

75/2.5 Color-Heliar popular compact portrait lens $295
75/2.5 Factory IIIf / M3 / M2 Special: Lens with 75 Viewfinder, save $78 ! $345

 

[gregarpp]

It seems the 75mm is so close to the 90mm...
If I have the 90mm framelines.. I think I can estimate the 75mm.

I am not sure if I am going to like the external finder for people, as focus needs to be critical