M3 or M6?

[tedwhite]

Hello. Clearly, I know nothing about Leica cameras. I've been using a Voigtlander Bessa R with the cv 35/2.5 and have decided to sooner or later get an M series Leica.

As it is beyond my financial ability to buy a new M7, a used M will have to do. My question is this: Other than the light meter in the M6, is there any significant difference(s) between the SS M3 and the M6? Certainly the M3 costs less, but then again it's older.

Ted

 

[markinlondon]

There's quite a difference in feel. Also the M3 has a .91x finder magnification while the M6 is .72x. Loading and rewinding are slower on the M3.

 

[colyn]

As stated by a previous poster the viewfinder mag. and film loading are different. The M3 has a selftimer while the M6 does not.

The M3 also has frame lines of 50, 90, and 135mm while the M6 lines depending on which mag viewfinder can range from 28-135mm.

 

[rogue_designer]

if you really enjoy the 35mm focal length, the M3 may not be right for you.. but an M2 would be perfect if you want the classic meterless.

As a more direct upgrade from the bessa tho, the M6 seems a better fit.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I'd go as far as to advice an M6TTL: easy-to-read meter, ability to use fill flash, three different magnifications and basically a bit newer in general terms.

However, if you want to go meterless and can sacrifice using a 35mm, then the M3 is for you.

BTW, given the viewfinder magnification in this camera, you will NOT miss a wide angle: my M3 led me to "rediscover" my Summicron 50! 🙂

Have fun shopping! 😀

 

[MadMan2k]

I use a 35mm on my M3, it's fine. Framelines aren't perfect anyway, so just guess how much you'll have in the frame and you'll probably do fine.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

in the same condition, and with the M6 .85 mag, there are no significant differences

The VF is better in the M3, but DAG can add a flare-proof VF to your M6 quite easily.

The key is condition. A mint conditioned M3 can be a gem.

 

[Rafael]

The others in this thread have all given you very good advice. Allow me to add my 2 cents. (1) If you think that you might want to get a second Leica body at some point, I would suggest that at least one of the two have an internal meter as it can be quite difficult to manage two cameras and a hand-held light meter at the same time. So if you think that, eventually, you will want to have both an M3 and an M6, then it doesn't matter which you get first. However, if you are sure that your next M body will be an M2, M4, M4-2, or M4-P (i.e. no internal meter), then I would opt for the M6 now instead of the M3. (2) If you plan to get a second body at some point, and you decide that you want an M6 now, be sure to get the M6 whose shutter speed dial turns in the same direction as that on the body you will most likely get next (i.e. if you think that you will get an M7 later, get the M6 TTL now. If you think that you are more likely to get any of the other Leica M bodies, get the M6 Classic now). Good luck with your search.

 

[ferider]

Like Marc said. They are both great cameras and work very well in a pair.
If you start with 35 or 28mm, start with the M6.

Roland.

 

[sharpf8]

M3 or M6?

I own both. Both are unique in their respective features. If you decide to have ONE camera only, M6 is a better choice, IMHO. Otherwise, get both.

 

[Solinar]

I would think that if you shoot a wide angle at all then the M6 is the best choice. Plus there is TTL metering.

I bought my M3 with a 50/2 Summicron and 85/2 Nikkor in mind. I use it in large auditorium size classroom. It's a quiet camera and I wanted the large 90mm frame size. The M viewfinder has spoiled me.

I did try out a M6TTL and found the viewfinder/rf to be impressive as well.

 

[drewbarb]

Everyone here has given you good advice. The lower magnification of the M6 makes it easier to use with wide lenses- indeed, a .72 finder with a 35mm lens is a real joy to use. In-camera meters are really nice, and the ones in Leica M6 and M7 cameras are really accurate, due to the smaller metering field.

But- if you shoot with a 50mm as your normal lens; if you value the highest build quality ever achieved in 35mm cameras; if you prefer to meter yourself with a hand-held meter; if you want the cleanest, simplest brightest viewfinder which never flares; if you want the best, most accurate framelines for 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm lenses; if you don't mind using auxiliary finder for wide angle lenses- get the M3.

If you are going to have two M's, one should be an M3, IMO. I like them so much, I sold my M6, and bought another M3. It's not optimal with the 35mm lens, but for longer lenses, the finder and framelines are better, and for shorter ones, aux. finders are easier to use, and focusing is very fast with either scale of pre-focus, and if you have to fine focus, the M3's higher magnification is more accurate.

The M3 isn't the perfect M for everyone, but for some of us, it is. Leitz got it right the first time around. Every M afficionado should at least check one out.

 

[venchka]

Average M3 + M6 and round up to M5.

The best light meter to ever come from Leitz
The best shutter to ever come from Leitz
Framelines for 35/50/90/135
Built the Wetzlar way, the same as the M3
If you are careful and/or lucky, you might get an M5 for less than the M3

I was never here.

 

[ERV]

Average M3 + M6 and round up to M5.

I was never here.

Venchka- I agree with your new math! (and I'm not here either.)

I always find it interesting that the M3 is held up as the epitome of Leica development and craftsmenship when it was the first is a long series of M's.
Yes, it's a nice, well made camera, though not for everyone, myself included. Although it may not be as finely crafted as an M3, the M6 is a real all around workhorse.
However the M5, now there's a camera...

 

[JCT]

I'm a serious newbie, but I just went through the exact same decision process. I kept bouncing back and forth (originally was the M4 vs M6). In my case I had been shooting a fair amount with my Rolleifex and was really enjoying the fully mechanical experience, so I was comfortable with the idea of the M3. I had also largely decided that I wanted to start with a 50mm.

In the end, as someone mentioned above-- my camera sort of fell into my hands, I was wandering through the big auction site one evening when I stumbled on a good user M3, single owner, SS with SN > 1,000,000, in great shape (just missing a little vulcanite here and there) --- that had 5 min to go and was priced in the 500's -- quickly conferred with my better half and got the green light-- paid $600 for it. I then became a bit obsessed with completing my first Leica set for $1000 -- just made it by purchasing a nice 50mm DR with eyes.

I'm thrilled with my gear -- I've started carrying it everywhere. I think it's a super setup that didn't tax my wallet too badly. And I feel like it did "pick" me.

But you'll notice I referred to it as my "first" Leica setup -- I'm already contemplating using next year's bonus on a nice MP -- maybe with a 35mm 1.4 ASPH? In black this time?? 😉 And I thought NAS was bad...

Good luck!

JT

 

[tedwhite]

I deeply appreciate all of your helpful comments.

Rafael's suggestion that if I'm going to eventually get two M's at least one should have a meter in order to save juggling two cameras and a handheld meter mirrored my experience two weeks ago.

I had picked up a BGN $27 Super Takumar 35/3.5 from KEH (though not fast, this lens has an excellent reputation) and was curious as to its optical quality and also whether its rendition of colors would be, perhaps, cooler than the colors rendered by my c/v 35/2.5 on my Voigtlander Bessa R.

With the Takumar mounted on my Spotmatic SP with its questionable meter cell, I decided to use the Bessa's meter readings for both cameras. So I carried them both one day, metered with the Bessa, set the spottie accordingly, and shot two rolls of Kodak HD ISO 400 through each.

Rafael's right. It made the entire procedure quite easy. The results? A bit off topic, but color rendition from each lens was identical, sharpness was identical,
and I think I got a hell of deal on a bargain lens for my Spotmatic!

Drewbarb; Your second paragraph was a lovely prose homage to the M3, and you've launched me on a quiet quest for one, not a collectible, but a good user.

And, later, perhaps an M5 or 6., if financial circumstances permit.

Ted