tennis-joe
Well-known
I purchased an M3 and was shooting it with flash on the first roll. I had forgotten to advance the film and pushed down on the shutter and the flash went off. Is this normal or is it a problem? After I advance the film and shot another with the flash, on development of the film, it came out okay. Should I be bothered with this?
I tried it on another M3 available and it does the same thing, flash goes off even if I don't advance the film. I guess this is just a part of the M3 construction?
Joe
I tried it on another M3 available and it does the same thing, flash goes off even if I don't advance the film. I guess this is just a part of the M3 construction?
Joe
usagisakana
Established
Both my M2 and M6 do it, if I recall correctly. Not a fault, just a side effect of how the flash circuit is activated. Won't affect your photos, don't worry about it.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
The flash shoots even if you didn't cock the shutter? Strange... I'm gonna try! 
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
The flash contact is not made by teh movement of the shutter blinds.
Austerby
Well-known
Excuse me, did you say you used a "flash" on an "M3" with your "first film" and you've admitted this on RFF?
Respect!
Respect!
Funny- the earlier Chrome Dial Nikon S2's did this, and Nikon changed how it worked with late-run S2's, the SP, S3, S4.
I never realized the M3 and M2 did this. I've never used them with a flash.
It is a good thing to check when you are thoroughly testing a camera. The Flash Contacts are somewhat complex on the M2 and M3, and can wear out.
I never realized the M3 and M2 did this. I've never used them with a flash.
It is a good thing to check when you are thoroughly testing a camera. The Flash Contacts are somewhat complex on the M2 and M3, and can wear out.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
I'm getting the M3 out now.
First thing that comes to mind: a great way of saving film when there's hordes of people jumping in front of the lens who want to be photographed and you don''t feel like spending film on them.
First thing that comes to mind: a great way of saving film when there's hordes of people jumping in front of the lens who want to be photographed and you don''t feel like spending film on them.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
tennis-joe
Well-known
Forgive me for testing many aspects of the wonderful M3 camera and discovering this item. I try to test all shutter speeds, flash contact, rangefinder, etc. before I evaluate the seller of Ebay items. The seller said this camera was nice and when it arrived, he was more than correct. The spool inside the camera looked like it had not even been used at all and the viewfinder was very clear. I consider myself very lucky to have made this purchase.
I mostly shoot 200 ASA film but sometimes I use the higher rated film. I have some shots of a wedding reception from a few weekends ago and if I had not used a flash they would not have come out. Earlier in the afternoon the outdoor wedding provided my shots without a flash but as it got late, I had to put a flash on the camera for the Reception.
Now that I have a Leica 35f1.4, I should get better pictures, for indoor shots, correct?
Joe
I mostly shoot 200 ASA film but sometimes I use the higher rated film. I have some shots of a wedding reception from a few weekends ago and if I had not used a flash they would not have come out. Earlier in the afternoon the outdoor wedding provided my shots without a flash but as it got late, I had to put a flash on the camera for the Reception.
Now that I have a Leica 35f1.4, I should get better pictures, for indoor shots, correct?
Joe
chris00nj
Young Luddite
Sometimes you need extra light. Even if you have the light, fill flash is sometimes important.
Austerby
Well-known
I agree entirely. I often use flash with my M3 myself, but on this forum there's keen support for available-light photography only, particularly with the faster lenses. Roger got my point.