MikeL
Go Fish
Hey Joe,
The M3 will ruin your ability/desire to use your 50mm on the M6.
As for KEH, I've heard they are pretty good at pulling out an item and telling you why it's rated as it is.
The M3 will ruin your ability/desire to use your 50mm on the M6.
As for KEH, I've heard they are pretty good at pulling out an item and telling you why it's rated as it is.
icemendicant
Established
Good choice...
Good choice...
Nice choice on the M3...
I've had mine for a few years and now it has a Summicron 50mm DR which pretty much lives there. Great pictures and a superb, smooth camera that really gives the modern Ms a run for their money. I recently got mine CLA'd thoroughly by Malcolm Taylor in the UK, and now it's hard to tell the difference between the M3 and my 2006 MPs - actually the M3 feels newer.
I have no doubt you wil love your M3 - happy shooting!
Best regards,
Dan
Good choice...
Nice choice on the M3...
I've had mine for a few years and now it has a Summicron 50mm DR which pretty much lives there. Great pictures and a superb, smooth camera that really gives the modern Ms a run for their money. I recently got mine CLA'd thoroughly by Malcolm Taylor in the UK, and now it's hard to tell the difference between the M3 and my 2006 MPs - actually the M3 feels newer.
I have no doubt you wil love your M3 - happy shooting!
Best regards,
Dan
KM-25
Well-known
I get mine next week, still trying to decide whether I am going to stick with the current Leatherette which has a few tiny chips missing or go nuts and put the "Granite Kid Skin" from Cameraleather on it:
http://www.cameraleather.com/colors/granite_kid.htm
One thing is for sure, it looks as though finding a decent of-the-era 50 for it that is not scratched will be harder and more expensive than I previously thought....there is nothing out there right now. I am looking for a clean 2.0 rigid, collapsable or even a nice 2.8 Elmar and I see nada. I am not really interested in the DR, I just don't like the cosmetics for the eyes.
Besides being my token M3 ( I think every Leica owner should have one ) this camera is going to be a working rig. It will be loaded at the ready with Kodachrome 25, be placed in a ziploc and put in the refrigerator if not the freezer for use.
This is my 11th camera body...I must be losing it
http://www.cameraleather.com/colors/granite_kid.htm
One thing is for sure, it looks as though finding a decent of-the-era 50 for it that is not scratched will be harder and more expensive than I previously thought....there is nothing out there right now. I am looking for a clean 2.0 rigid, collapsable or even a nice 2.8 Elmar and I see nada. I am not really interested in the DR, I just don't like the cosmetics for the eyes.
Besides being my token M3 ( I think every Leica owner should have one ) this camera is going to be a working rig. It will be loaded at the ready with Kodachrome 25, be placed in a ziploc and put in the refrigerator if not the freezer for use.
This is my 11th camera body...I must be losing it
plummerl
Well-known
I would tend to agree that your losing it.KM-25 said:..
..
Besides being my token M3 ( I think every Leica owner should have one ) this camera is going to be a working rig. It will be loaded at the ready with Kodachrome 25, be placed in a ziploc and put in the refrigerator if not the freezer for use.
This is my 11th camera body...I must be losing it
KM-25
Well-known
plummerl said:I would tend to agree that your losing it.
Yeah, but they are not all Leicas and they do earn me a living..
Austerby
Well-known
Just checked out your website - you're definitely losing anything! Carry on the good work.
Austerby
Well-known
Typo - meant to read "you're definitely NOT losing anything"...
nikon_junkie
Established
About KEH... I bought a bargain grade 300mm AIS f/2.8 and the glass was perfect, the body had its lumps. Would certainly buy again, especially with a 14 day return policy.
M3 and film loading... I use a second spool (actually two) pre-loaded. One wrap around the spool before it goes in, and I'm shooting rather quickly.
I did a wedding yesterday, and it would have been great for a Leica. Though I rattled off 1400 images, many were throw away dance floor shots and multiple takes of a particular moment for the one or two that stood out. By year end I hope to incorporate my M3 body into the fray, and maybe move more work into film by year end 2008.
In a few weeks I'm covering "Monday after the Masters" tourney for my newspaper. Getting a keeper in digital for the paper, then going strictly Leica. Need to set the DSLR down pick up the M3 and slow down, focus, observe, shoot...
M3 and film loading... I use a second spool (actually two) pre-loaded. One wrap around the spool before it goes in, and I'm shooting rather quickly.
I did a wedding yesterday, and it would have been great for a Leica. Though I rattled off 1400 images, many were throw away dance floor shots and multiple takes of a particular moment for the one or two that stood out. By year end I hope to incorporate my M3 body into the fray, and maybe move more work into film by year end 2008.
In a few weeks I'm covering "Monday after the Masters" tourney for my newspaper. Getting a keeper in digital for the paper, then going strictly Leica. Need to set the DSLR down pick up the M3 and slow down, focus, observe, shoot...
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joebt
Established
I just got my M3 today, and all I can say is OHH...MY...GOD!! According to the serial number this Leica is 50 years old, and it looks brand new. I put my 50 lux on it, looked through the viewfinder, and it's pure At-one-ment!
It took me a few minute to figure out how to load it, but I figurd it out--this is not going to be a problem.
This thing is built rock solid too. Where can I get the caps to cover the flash synch openings?
Why in the hell did i wait so long to buy one?
It took me a few minute to figure out how to load it, but I figurd it out--this is not going to be a problem.
This thing is built rock solid too. Where can I get the caps to cover the flash synch openings?
Why in the hell did i wait so long to buy one?
ForeverUnknown
Let's Go Ducks!
Sounds like you're in love. Enjoy it!
For caps, you can buy them on ebay (this auction for example) and DAG sells them for $5.
For caps, you can buy them on ebay (this auction for example) and DAG sells them for $5.
thomasw_
Well-known
joebt said:
I understand your joy.
KM-25
Well-known
I got my 1956 DS M3 today...I'm having a hard time getting any work done..
All in all, unless KEH's EX & EX+ are devoid of any bright marks, this ebay M3 was a score. There are no scratches or dings and are only a few tiny bright marks on the camera with an expected but not copious amount of wear on the bottom plate.
At the present, most of the operation is perfect, all speeds check out so far. I even checked the sync with a pocket wizard as it came with the plug, all good. Coming from a pair of M6's, I now see what all the rave is about. The 50 asph is right at home with the finder. There is about a 2% haze of a dappled / spotted variety on all three of the front windows, but hardly a problem as I can whip it into focus in near-total darkness. The L seal is intact. Besides a test roll, is there any way I can reliably test the RF accuracy?
I spent at least an hour going cleaning the whole camera, removed the back plate and flossed all the gaps. That really helped the "fondle-factor" as it is now spotless, looks to be what I would expect from a KEH EX.
To my surprise, the loading was really easy, I guess that patience comes from sneaking in the garage as a kid and playing with my dad's old folding 120 and 35's. I might even like the rewind better than the M6,'s it really does feel much stronger and is about 80-90% as fast, less obvious too when working low profile. The only thing that is a bit of a nuisance is the self timer location, it sits right where my middle finger rests on any camera, not a big deal though. This thing is really smooth, shutter, advance, it's all an after thought in near silence.
I'm happy, in shooting for over 30 years, this is my very first camera purchased as an antique / collectable. I think everyone should own one of these. Now to find a decent lens...as I already have a working 50, I am not under any pressure to jump on any vintage version, but I will keep an eye out. A nice and clean 50 collapsable or a unusually good deal on a good rigid will help me spend faster, so we'll see how that pans out.
I have ordered the Granite Kid Skin leatherette replacement kit from Cameraleather.com, but I am not sure that I will put it on now as I really like the character of a couple of tiny missing pieces on it. If I do, I will try to score another back plate and the four front screws and strip them to silver to really set it off:
http://www.cameraleather.com/colors/granite_kid.htm
The M3 is a stunning camera, it even smells old, really cool.
..............Maybe that is why I go it, I turn 40 in a few weeks, up until today, I am a good bit older than every piece of gear I own, LOL!!
All in all, unless KEH's EX & EX+ are devoid of any bright marks, this ebay M3 was a score. There are no scratches or dings and are only a few tiny bright marks on the camera with an expected but not copious amount of wear on the bottom plate.
At the present, most of the operation is perfect, all speeds check out so far. I even checked the sync with a pocket wizard as it came with the plug, all good. Coming from a pair of M6's, I now see what all the rave is about. The 50 asph is right at home with the finder. There is about a 2% haze of a dappled / spotted variety on all three of the front windows, but hardly a problem as I can whip it into focus in near-total darkness. The L seal is intact. Besides a test roll, is there any way I can reliably test the RF accuracy?
I spent at least an hour going cleaning the whole camera, removed the back plate and flossed all the gaps. That really helped the "fondle-factor" as it is now spotless, looks to be what I would expect from a KEH EX.
To my surprise, the loading was really easy, I guess that patience comes from sneaking in the garage as a kid and playing with my dad's old folding 120 and 35's. I might even like the rewind better than the M6,'s it really does feel much stronger and is about 80-90% as fast, less obvious too when working low profile. The only thing that is a bit of a nuisance is the self timer location, it sits right where my middle finger rests on any camera, not a big deal though. This thing is really smooth, shutter, advance, it's all an after thought in near silence.
I'm happy, in shooting for over 30 years, this is my very first camera purchased as an antique / collectable. I think everyone should own one of these. Now to find a decent lens...as I already have a working 50, I am not under any pressure to jump on any vintage version, but I will keep an eye out. A nice and clean 50 collapsable or a unusually good deal on a good rigid will help me spend faster, so we'll see how that pans out.
I have ordered the Granite Kid Skin leatherette replacement kit from Cameraleather.com, but I am not sure that I will put it on now as I really like the character of a couple of tiny missing pieces on it. If I do, I will try to score another back plate and the four front screws and strip them to silver to really set it off:
http://www.cameraleather.com/colors/granite_kid.htm
The M3 is a stunning camera, it even smells old, really cool.
..............Maybe that is why I go it, I turn 40 in a few weeks, up until today, I am a good bit older than every piece of gear I own, LOL!!
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Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
KM-25 said:
Congrats on the new camera! I'm still in the lovefest stage of my new M3 myself, so I can relate.
MISH
Well-known
I am still in the honeymoon faze 17 years later... my advice get a 35 cron with the bug eyes. maybe not for everyone but i think it makes a stunning camera extra stunning (and what a joy to use)
what do you think of the double stroke feature by now
IMHO Leica should have never dropped that idea
(yes i know you can rachett the newer ones but it does not feel the same to me as having a positive stop)
"once you go DS you never go back"
enjoy your camera, shoot much film
what do you think of the double stroke feature by now
IMHO Leica should have never dropped that idea
(yes i know you can rachett the newer ones but it does not feel the same to me as having a positive stop)
"once you go DS you never go back"
enjoy your camera, shoot much film
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shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
KoNickon said:
If you don't mind me asking how much does this "surgery" cost? ballpark figure is ok.
You guys are BAD BAD influence. After several successful rolls without meter (Olympus OM-1), I am running out of excuses for *not* getting an M3.... (sigh!)
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
Why? Maybe I'm weird, but I like the DS. Mind you, if I had two I'd want them to be the same.shadowfox said:
...Mike
joebt
Established
Honestly, I like the Double Stroke, and I got the hang of loading it quickly too. Basically, I love the M3 & 50 Lux combo! I find this combo to be perfect for my style of photography. I'm finally shot a roll this weekend. I need to findout how to post images here so I can share a few with you all.
jarski
Veteran
double stroke felt just perfect for me too from day one (not long ago), for my newbie style of composing and shooting, it does not feel any ways too slow..joebt said:
I have recently bought also same combo, but now I wish I had started with cheaper lens so I wouldnt have to worry so much because of it.. Voigtlander would be my choice for the starter & street lens.
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vrgard
Well-known
Another vote for the double-stroke. Feels just right to me.
-Randy
-Randy