M3 help--rangefinder ticks

[John LeBeau]

After buying a cheap ($400) M3 body on eBay, another $700 later I have a functional camera. I had to buy a take up spool (ouch), lens (50/3.5 Elmar), and a VC II light meter. I also spent about $120 on tools and repair manual so I could fix a stuck film counter, I'm not smart enough to know I can't repair my own camera. The top was dented over the counter, dropped I'm sure, hence the cheap price. The rangefinder seems to be O.K..

Now my question--I understand that the frame lines I see are for 35, 50 and 90mm lenses but how do I use the rangefinder ticks on the focusing window? Also, would the focusing window itself correspond to about a 135mm lens? I just loaded my first roll of film yesterday, an easier process than I thought it would be, so I don't have any idea as of yet how things wil turn out.

Thanks
John

 

[back alley]

framelines for an m3 are for 50/90/135

 

[John LeBeau]

I have a screw mount lens with a Leica M adapter that says 28-50. When I push the focal frame preselector lever, what does the frame that pops up show me?

 

[Skinny McGee]

the 50mm is always there the 90mm is the next size down and the 135 is the smallest.. I think on mine 90 is left and 135 is right.

try www.cameraquest.com you might find a manual

 

[Skinny McGee]

the other thing also is when you mount you screw lens with the adaptor the adaptor is made to make the correct frameline some up.....

 

[former member]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals/leicamanuals.html

The DOF ticks defy Description. You can download the M3 manual in pdf format for free at the above site.

 

[Stu W]

Brian, I've read that part of the manual over and over and I still can't figure it out. Stu

 

[former member]

I know how to dit it, it makes sense, it works, and it makes my head hurt trying to explain it.

But, what MacCauley said. Focus on an object; everything in front or in back of the main point of focus that does not split more than the thin tick marks are in focus at F5.6 and within the broad lines are in focus at F16.

 

[John LeBeau]

Thanks guys, this has been a tremendous help. The manual, strangely enough, explains everything quite well, and I think I now understand how the tick marks work. It was the purpose of the focal frame preselector lever that had me going. The idea that it shows you what you don't have available is a bit perplexing. The explanation of the tick marks by MacCaulay actually makes perfect sense to me.

 

[furcafe]

The frame selector lever simply allows you to see what a different focal length would give you, without having to change lenses.

It was the purpose of the focal frame preselector lever that had me going. The idea that it shows you what you don't have available is a bit perplexing.