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Magus
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M3 or M6 - help me decide
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maraboutflash
Contax II
Contax II
If your final idea is to go for an M3, think about a contax II.
The viewfinder is much smaller, but it is so easy to focus with the contax even if it is small. loading and unloading is 2 times quicker. Shutter is smoother. And with a lens 50mm 1.5 you cannot find better. And you will pay a third of the M3 price...
Contax II
If your final idea is to go for an M3, think about a contax II.
The viewfinder is much smaller, but it is so easy to focus with the contax even if it is small. loading and unloading is 2 times quicker. Shutter is smoother. And with a lens 50mm 1.5 you cannot find better. And you will pay a third of the M3 price...
Tuolumne
Veteran
Get one of the Leica 35mm lenses with "goggles" that were designed to give the M3 35mm sight. I have one and it is a very sharp lens that adds to the "coolness" of the M3.
/T
/T
oscroft
Veteran
I don't know - that's why I asked!
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
Wow! Such passion, my reason for always returning.
I'm beginning to think about a second M body, to allow me different film stock in each etc, and was going to put it to the floor as to which it should be...or at least what I should seriously consider. I will take on board the various opinions cast here though I believe a visit to a dealer to handle and play may serve me best...if I can wind up a hoighty Leica dealer at the same time then even better!
My two penneth. The M6 is my first foray into Leica cameras, I felt the need for a meter, I was unsure as to which lenses I would eventually be using most of the time and it seemed a great all-rounder. It is. I love it. I would also heartily recommend it to any photographer willing to spend the money. However I'm now very comfortable without a meter, know nothing of the other M models and my only concern would be framelines to match a 35 & 50mm...maybe one day a 75/90mm.
I look forward to having to make a decision on such a dilema.
I'm beginning to think about a second M body, to allow me different film stock in each etc, and was going to put it to the floor as to which it should be...or at least what I should seriously consider. I will take on board the various opinions cast here though I believe a visit to a dealer to handle and play may serve me best...if I can wind up a hoighty Leica dealer at the same time then even better!
My two penneth. The M6 is my first foray into Leica cameras, I felt the need for a meter, I was unsure as to which lenses I would eventually be using most of the time and it seemed a great all-rounder. It is. I love it. I would also heartily recommend it to any photographer willing to spend the money. However I'm now very comfortable without a meter, know nothing of the other M models and my only concern would be framelines to match a 35 & 50mm...maybe one day a 75/90mm.
I look forward to having to make a decision on such a dilema.
pmu
Well-known
john neal said:
If the options are only M3 or M6 and you need to have 35mm framelines then buy M6. Simple.
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Magus
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SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
I agree with Frank. All that bitterness about the M6 is not justified.
And, like Frank, I have an M3 to compare.
John... why don't you hold your horses for a while? Just make a savings plan for yourself. Put some money regularly in an account for gear, see it grow, observe the market and then, when you have the right amount (or just short of a small sum), leap for the M6. That way you don't have to sacrifice anything.
Take care!
And, like Frank, I have an M3 to compare.
John... why don't you hold your horses for a while? Just make a savings plan for yourself. Put some money regularly in an account for gear, see it grow, observe the market and then, when you have the right amount (or just short of a small sum), leap for the M6. That way you don't have to sacrifice anything.
Take care!
Paul T.
Veteran
I've owned an M3 and an M4. But friends who are far better photographers than I am have managed far better photos with their lowly M6 than I have on my supposedly superior M3. these are people who make a living with their photography, in a competitive sector, who admire Leica quality and compactness but aren't hung up on the legend. Yes, there are many times when I marvel at the build quality of the M3, but the M6 will be the more useful tool, that has the framelines you want, and that will not require you to carry around an additional meter.
With any instrument, there's a temptation to always go for the 'best' one, in order to get the best results. But that's not generally the case. Usually you're better off with a simple option, that you can get to know, and the M6 seems to fulfil those needs. Look at OurManInTangier's photos, and tell me how a more tactile camera, with smoother brass gears, could do any better!
Oh yes, and I'd sell the M3, too. It cuts down on the decisions, so you can concentrate on the essentials.
With any instrument, there's a temptation to always go for the 'best' one, in order to get the best results. But that's not generally the case. Usually you're better off with a simple option, that you can get to know, and the M6 seems to fulfil those needs. Look at OurManInTangier's photos, and tell me how a more tactile camera, with smoother brass gears, could do any better!
Oh yes, and I'd sell the M3, too. It cuts down on the decisions, so you can concentrate on the essentials.
Artorius
Caribbean Traveler
I have both
I have both
I have the M6 and the M3. Each has it's own look, and both are good cameras. The M3 is my preferred body of choice except I can't use wide angle without external viewfinders, or the goggled 35 Summaron. I use the M6 for my wide, and keep a 40mm on the M3. I find the meter in the M6 actually slows down my shooting, verses using a hand held one. I sometimes go out without the battery in the camera, and I seem to do better.
To me, the M3 feels better in my hands, like when kneading bread with cake flour (M3) rather than the all purpose stuff(M6).
If I had to do it all over I prob ally gone the M3 & M4 route. All that said, I am saving for an MP.
I have both
I have the M6 and the M3. Each has it's own look, and both are good cameras. The M3 is my preferred body of choice except I can't use wide angle without external viewfinders, or the goggled 35 Summaron. I use the M6 for my wide, and keep a 40mm on the M3. I find the meter in the M6 actually slows down my shooting, verses using a hand held one. I sometimes go out without the battery in the camera, and I seem to do better.
To me, the M3 feels better in my hands, like when kneading bread with cake flour (M3) rather than the all purpose stuff(M6).
If I had to do it all over I prob ally gone the M3 & M4 route. All that said, I am saving for an MP.
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Magus
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Uncle Bill
Well-known
I have an M3 and I now use the clip on MR meter (thanks Frank it works like a charm). I have learned to use the full viewfinder and ignore the lines when I m using my CV 35 skopar lens. No big deal for me. However if it really bugs you, I would look at a M2, same feel and the 35 frameline.
Bill
Bill
pmu
Well-known
Ara Ghajanian said:
How about those Canadian M4-2's and M4-P's? They have those ugly "Leitz" logos on the top plate, M4-P has that ugly red dot and they are not even made in Germany! I would rather find a new hobby than use those cameras, LOL.
I have M4 and M6 and had M2. The only annoying thing with my M6 was that pivoting advance lever -- I fixed that with epoxy glue. My M4 has M2 style lever. In actual use I have not found a single difference that would affect my shooting in any way -- absolutely none. Haven't even seen that M6 flare even if I have shooted in all kinds of situations (for example this whole story or this image.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Magus, I resent that comment. I can read, and have read the thread. I also have read enough of what Paul T correctly calls "being hung up on the legend." If you can sustain a six-month crusade against a camera... sounds like you have too much time in your hands. We're talking about cameras only, not life-and-death issues.
Again, in cases like this one, I don't see why one has to go through the ordeal of selling one piece of equipment to get another. Saving money (and the resulting capital) helps keep all kinds of gear without sacrificing what one already has. Hence, dilemmas like this one are completely artificial.
Again, in cases like this one, I don't see why one has to go through the ordeal of selling one piece of equipment to get another. Saving money (and the resulting capital) helps keep all kinds of gear without sacrificing what one already has. Hence, dilemmas like this one are completely artificial.
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richard_l
Well-known
I feel the same way. The M6 is a great camera and may, except for the meter, prove to have as long a lifespan as its more classic brethren. Magus doesn't like the zinc top plate.FrankS said:
aizan
Veteran
get an m6. just not that m6 with bubbly chrome.
Paul T.
Veteran
I like the idea of a brass top plate. But it's not like guitars, which I prefer to have made from Ash which grew near a swamp and is therefore lighter and more resonant. Zinc top plates take just as good photos...
ywenz
Veteran
John neal: You already have an M3, I've never held an M3 but from what I understand the M6 is no better than the M3 in build quality. Knowing that, the only thing you're gaining with the M6 are light meter and frame lines. If you don't need a built-in light meter, then we're just talking about the frame lines. Keep in mind that RF frame lines aren't really that accurate to begin with..
john neal
fallor ergo sum
Wow! I have never started off a thread that has resulted in so much comment before - it is obvious that there are some very strong feelings about the M range of cameras here.
I have worked my way up from beater bodies, including a couple of M2s, a Canadian M4-P (the best I could say about that one was that it worked), single-stroke M3 and have finally landed at the DS M3 and a black paint MP that I seem to keep for best. So what have you helped me decide?
- I don't "need" the M6 body, I merely want it (so that's GAS)
- I had forgotten about the variable build quality of M6 bodies (OK, they are generally very good)
- I don't really want to buy any camera that has obvious build defects (doh!)
- I hate the standard M6 wind lever (but that could be fixed by a swap)
- I love the M3 and the MP is virtually a M3 with a meter.
- I probably have too many LTM bodies (they are small and pocketable, so get used more)
- I should sell up all my non-Leica stuff that simply does not get used, and start a savings fund for future purchases (watch out for ads)
- I should buy more Leica glass in M-mount (well, maybe )
- I should use both the M3 and MP more!
and, finally,
- The M3 stays on the team
Probably one of my future purchases should be a CLA for the M3 by CRR, with the possibility of some attention to the VF prism ( sadly, I can just see there is some separation around the edges). Add to that a 50mm Summilux and something in the 21 to 24mm range, and I'm probably done.
So, my thanks to all of you for your thoughts, I had no idea that this would get quite so heated - I guess that goes to show that we do love our toys with some passion
I have worked my way up from beater bodies, including a couple of M2s, a Canadian M4-P (the best I could say about that one was that it worked), single-stroke M3 and have finally landed at the DS M3 and a black paint MP that I seem to keep for best. So what have you helped me decide?
- I don't "need" the M6 body, I merely want it (so that's GAS)
- I had forgotten about the variable build quality of M6 bodies (OK, they are generally very good)
- I don't really want to buy any camera that has obvious build defects (doh!)
- I hate the standard M6 wind lever (but that could be fixed by a swap)
- I love the M3 and the MP is virtually a M3 with a meter.
- I probably have too many LTM bodies (they are small and pocketable, so get used more)
- I should sell up all my non-Leica stuff that simply does not get used, and start a savings fund for future purchases (watch out for ads)
- I should buy more Leica glass in M-mount (well, maybe
)- I should use both the M3 and MP more!
and, finally,
- The M3 stays on the team
Probably one of my future purchases should be a CLA for the M3 by CRR, with the possibility of some attention to the VF prism ( sadly, I can just see there is some separation around the edges). Add to that a 50mm Summilux and something in the 21 to 24mm range, and I'm probably done.
So, my thanks to all of you for your thoughts, I had no idea that this would get quite so heated - I guess that goes to show that we do love our toys with some passion
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Magus
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