M3: DS or SS

[Kim Coxon]

I saw an M3 for sale here in the UK and it has been tempting me. It's been used and has relatively light user marks but no dents, the covering is intact and there is very little wear to the paint. The price is £400 (about $700) with 6 months warranty which is very good for a UK dealer sale and no risk of tax. I then found it was a DS and I had been thinking SS. They do have a SS but this is in not nearly so nice condition and is about a $100 more. To get a SS in the same cosmetic condition would mean about $200-$300 more.

I have looked through the threads and am relatively happy with the technical differences but what about usability? I am thinking of a second less expensive body to go alongside the M6. Is there much difference in using a DS winder ie If I am using the M6 and pick up the 3, am I likely to forget to wind twice or is it fairly obvious in feel? Does the cutout in the finder have much impact?

I have attached a not very good pic of the camera. I will be out for the next couple of hours as I have to go back to the hospital but will catch up on the replies (if any 😉 ) when I get back

Thanks
Kim

 

[back alley]

i am new to my ds m3 but i quite like it and find myself trying to ds the p and even the zi when i use them.

it is not slower in actual use for some reason tho i do not normally 'machine gun' when i shoot.

and it is soooo smooth i get a small thrill when i do it. (no comments brett!)

joe

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I have both and am happy using either. The DS bodies tend to be older than the SS bodies; they often have a ceramic pressure plat rather than metal. Both are very smooth to operate. I should ask whether you are right-eye'd or left-eyed. I think that the double-ratchet of the DS is slightly more aggravating if you are left-eyed as I am, because the camera is being held in front of your whole face. Based on my experience, you are not likely to forget to wind twice. It has never happened to me.

 

[wtl]

Kim,

The real question you have to ask yourself is if, on the street in a rush, you can always remember to wind twice before you trigger. For me that's a no - no, especially to switch back and forth between this and your M6.

I don't care that much talk about a DS is a better built camera than a SS. If I miss the shot, then the "good" camera does not do me any good.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[back alley]

it really is not slower and i can't explain why. it becomes habit in no time and i do switch back and forth betwen cameras.
joe

 

[wtl]

might not be slower for each individual camera operation but might slow down your process of picture taking with two system switching back and forth and remembering all the little differences.

 

[John]

I really like the double stroke feel, quite smooth. I sometimes ratchet it partially two times and in effect three stroke it. I like this way the best. You can also 3/4 cock it. It won't trip by mistake in your bag. Then just ratchet that last 1/2 inch and it is ready for a shot. My double stroke is like the one you are looking at, hardly marked at all, clean inside and out. 🙂 🙂

 

[jan normandale]

Kim, I was going to point you to Joe, but he has made his comment. So I'll make mine. I don't even think about the double/single stroke issue. I find instinctively I just wind correctly. I haven't missed a shot that really really mattered. I've also shot lots of times with a 'hurry up' on a SS and found the shot to be 'so so'. In my opinion more myth than practice.

Go back to the shop and ask to try it in the shop with a small roll .. for a roll of film it's a small price for a test ride. If they say no... I'd be surprised since they are offering you a warranty as you noted.

 

[Kyle]

I really liked the DS when I had it. It wasn't 'weird' at all and I had no problem remembering to wind twice, even when going back and forth between a Bessa R and another SS M3. I really do like the two short, quick strokes over the one long stroke. There's no real explanation why, but I do. I say go for it, I don't think you'll have problems.

Oh, I sometimes will DS my M2. Try it on your M6 and see how it feels to you.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

The beauty of a DS is its rhythm; wind,wind, shoot -- it's like a waltz.

 

[back alley]

The beauty of a DS is its rhythm; wind,wind, shoot -- it's like a waltz.

oooh, so poetic...

 

[former member]

I have both, and like both.

The eye relief in the M3 SS is slightly more than on the DS. If you have heavy glasses, it "might" make a difference.

If you can see the whole frame, go for it. The feel on the advance is obvious, and I never forget to wind it properly.

 

[FrankS]

I have a SS M3, never had a DS. I've read that the double stroke film advance lever does not back up as much as the SS lever, giving you the tactile cue to wind twice. (Funny what you read and remember, and what you read and forget.)

 

[dcsang]

I have a double stroke M3 and an M6.
I never forget to double the M3; the throw is shorter than the M6 and therefore it stops before a "full" M6 stroke (at least that's how mine feels) 🙂

Dave

 

[wilt]

Have a DS M3 and have no problems with the double stroke thing.

Really like the camera. Wonderful technology, form follows function.

 

[Traut]

The other thing is this camera has no preview lever. Which shutter speed arangement does it have? Probably 25/50/100/200.

 

[VinceC]

For what it's worth, I don't shoot Leicas, but I alwasy "DS" my cameras. They ratchet, and I much prefer two short, quick, smooth throws to one long throw.

 

[back alley]

my m3 ds has a preview lever.

 

[former member]

Most M3 DS' had preview levers. The one Kim shows is very early. If that is a "70" starting the SN, one of the first 10,000.

 

[jmilkins]

I don't have a Leica M3 SS or DS or otherwise, but I do like the feeling of manually winding on a camera - it's a new beginning full of promise each time....and you get it twice with an M3 DS!

Is probably obvious , but with the exception of sports / high speed nature work, I prefer the the more "organic" and "considered" feel of my R3a than my Dynax 9 on 5fps...