M3 Owners...I just joined the club

joebt

joebt

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Apr 4, 2006
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I have been fighting the M-3 virus for a few years now, and after holding one over the weekend, I feel I can no longer resist its lure.

I just ordered an EX, double stroke preview from KeH. I have no intentions on putting it on a trophy shelf. I plan on putting it on active duty immediately. I already have an M6 TTL, but the viewfinder flare is becoming a tad bit annoying. I plan to place my 50mm Lux on the M3 and keep the 35mm king of bokeh, SOFA king, or as someone said on another forum, the 35mm Summicron Laude on my M6.

So, M3 shooters, help me out here. Can I expect this almost 50 year old camera to be able to keep pace with my M6 TTL? EX is supposed to be 80 to 89% of the original condition, so it should be good to go for a few years, I hope.
 
Keep pace? Heck, it'll set the pace! :D

I started with an M6 classic and now also shoot with an M3. Love them both but there's something special about the M3. And your idea of putting the 50 lux on the M3 and the 35 Cron on the M6 sounds perfect (or, at least, I think so since that's very close to what I use).

Welcome to the large viewfinder meterless club, I hope it's a beaut and I bet you can't wait to receive it!

-Randy
 
joebt said:
So, M3 shooters, help me out here. Can I expect this almost 50 year old camera to be able to keep pace with my M6 TTL? EX is supposed to be 80 to 89% of the original condition, so it should be good to go for a few years, I hope.
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Congrats on the new old camera. I expect your M3 will do you proud.

Here are links to some shots from the first two rolls I put through my DS M3 just after it arrived last November. I think they came out OK and I found the camera very easy to work with and get used to (aside from film loading, but I have that kicked into shape now).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfunnell/sets/72157594383849603/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfunnell/sets/72157594383720614/

The only issue I have (and its really a non-issue) is a tendency to try to double-wind my Canon P after using the M3. I'm probably weird, but I find the DS seems more natural.

...Mike
 
It has been all down hill since the M3, don't worry, the old dog will teach you some tricks.
 
Congrats ! The M3 the the Shelby Cobra of Rangefinders :) Easier to use than M6 in many situations ....

Roland.
 
rover and roland know. for my money, there is no better viewfinder for the 50mm, 90mm and 135mm FLs. hearty congratulations on the purchase!
 
I started off with an M3 but did find it difficult to get decent exposures using meters or the Sunny f16 rule (especially during the dull winter months...). I did get some extremely good results though which looked like no other photos I'd ever taken, which was encouraging. As it was actually rather a knackered M3 I sent it off to Leica UK for servicing.

In the meantime I came across an M6ttl at a very good price, due to a heavily marked body, which I bought and have been using whilst the M3 is away. Whilst I've enjoyed using it, and the internal meter has been useful, the best pictures from the M6 have not been as good as the best pictures I've taken using the M3.

I also recently picked up a IIIa and again although the general success rate is lower, when everything comes together I can produce better shots than I have so far achieved with the M6.

I'm using a VCII meter so whether this is due to beginners luck, or something about being too accepting of what the LEDs tell me to do I don't know, but the M6 results are much more akin to those from my AE-priority Nikon SLR or auto-dSLR than the two older Leicas - excellent in many ways but not giving me that Leica magic (at least not as quickly).

The M3 is now on its way back to me - I can't wait to take it out this weekend!
 
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At the price that a DS M3 has dropped to in the past couple of years, they have become a very affordable M body. My old eyes really appreciate the large finder and easy to see RF patch.
 
memphis said:
get a quick load kit as well ---- they're rugged and feel like a bentley, rolls royce, or mercedes in your hands
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sure, mine feels like a Jeep Wrangler...everything you need and nothing you don't ;)

Todd
 
Thanks for the nice warm welcome. I will let you all know how it works out as soon as I get a chance to take it into battle--hopefully on Saturday.

Best Wishes
 
Mate, the M3 will still be trucking when your great grandchildren give birth.
Just get it serviced every once and a while and it will be a great user.
Tim
 
Leica Geek said:
Has anyone bought lenses from Keh? I'm think about a Summicron marked BGN. What can I expect?
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You can expect ANYTHING. From a very good condition to a pretty ugly one. I'm sending their BGN lens back to them now - lots of marks (doesn't bother me) on barrel, light scratch on a front element( not too happy about it, but it may not affect photos) and AF motor is not working correctly - its a Canon EOS mount lens - only focuses from infinity down, but motor doesn't want to work from min focusing distance to inf. They will take it back - based on my phone call, but it's still a hussle to have to ship it back. So with BGN - you never know.
But I never had a problem with their EX or better rated items.
 
Good first choice

Good first choice

I was raised on the M2 in the 70's while serving in the USN. Kept them awhile, but later sold 'em in the late 70's for more Nikon SLR stuff. Kinda stuck with Nikon SLR's, then I went semi-retired from photography and Nikon DSLR's, and now back with Leica M3 and M6 classic.

Although semi-retired , I get to pick and choose what work I will do, I am seeing a trendy increase in the amount of film work that is being requested, especially weddings. In am semi-retired from pro work, but in my short lifetime(56 yrs.) and since digital has really evolved, I have done well over 1K weddings with Digital and fewer than 200 in film. I am now asked to attend more weddings with film, as the B&G have hired a PRO wedding photographer, but want some nostalgic B&W as well. I guess the people are re-learning.

My daughter is getting married this year. She asked me to do the photos. My answer was, NO, although I WILL shoot some photos, but will not be the hired guy to do the pics. I mean really, I finally get to give her away and participate in the wedding, when would I get a chance. AND, if it gets F**ked up, I won't be the one hated ever after.
 
I got two M3s, one a DS converted to SS and the other an SS. Neither is pretty; neither is something I'll part with.
 
My M3 is my only Leica ever, and my kids bought it for me at KEH and expected it to be really beat up. My daughter doesn't remember what condition she was quoted, but says they told her it was a user-quality camera. It's is in VERY nice condition! I think they are a bit conservative, but what do I know? I hope you love your M3 as much as I do mine! It goes EVERYWHERE with me.
Vic
 
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