M6 replacing M3

[robbert]

Hello everybody,

I am currently using a Leica M3 with a 28mm elmarit v4 lens (have also got a 50/2 cron). This has forced me to get an external viewfinder. So I have bought the incredible Zeiss 25/28 VF.

To meter the light I use a sekonic L-308s. Every time I get the camera out of the bag, I need to get the viewfinder out of it's protective little plastic bag I got for it, mount it on the camera, take out my lightmeter, meter a bit and I'm ready to go. I then have those readings for reference and alter the settings if needed without metering again. Every once in a while I meter just to be sure.

Sometimes I feel it's a bit of a hassle. Would it be worth it selling the M3 and the VF in exchange for a M6? Is there anyone who has done this for the same reasons and regretted it or is happy he/she did? I would then no longer need to take out the VF out of the bag and stick it on. Also, I would take average readings with the built in meter, so I don't need to carry a lightmeter (would be great if I was to be without my camera bag, although I could maybe get by using sunny 16).

Further information:

I don't wear glasses, I mainly use hyperfocal focusing, but everything in 1 finder would be handy especially indoors when focusing needs to be more precise @ f/2.8.

Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[furcafe]

Is the 28mm your primary lens? The M3 is only optimal for 50mm & longer.

If so, then it might make sense to switch to a new body, but I would recommend going to a lower magnification body than a standard 0.72x M6, e.g., a 0.58x M6 TTL or M7, Hexar RF, CV Bessa R4A/M, or maybe the Zeiss Ikon (0.74x, but has more eye relief than the Leica M VF).

 

[robbert]

Yes, the 28 has become my primary lens and I'm thinking of maybe selling my 50 with the M3. I have read about the 0.58, but they command higher prices than the regular 0.72 m6's. Are the 28mm frames in the 0.72 VF not entirely visible? or are they comparable to the 50mm frames in the M3?

I guess I would probably would have to check it at a store, but before I will go to a store I would like to hear of everybodies experiences.

Thanks

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Unless you have a special attachment for your M3, go for the M6. It sounds like it has the feature you want in one camera as opposed to carrying two additional pieces of equipment.

 

[furcafe]

The 28mm frames are visible in a 0.72 M6/M7, even to me & I wear glasses, but they're very close to the edge & don't have much room outside the lines (unlike the 50mm lines in an M3). In other words, they do work, but they're not optimal & IMHO, if you really, really like a particular focal length, you should get a body that's optimized for it.

Yes, the 28 has become my primary lens and I'm thinking of maybe selling my 50 with the M3. I have read about the 0.58, but they command higher prices than the regular 0.72 m6's. Are the 28mm frames in the 0.72 VF not entirely visible? or are they comparable to the 50mm frames in the M3?

I guess I would probably would have to check it at a store, but before I will go to a store I would like to hear of everybodies experiences.

Thanks

 

[hans voralberg]

The 28mm frame is quite close to the entire viewfinder of an 0.72 M6, but I find it perfectly useable if you don't need to see thing "outside the frame". BTW I have a spare M6, wanna trade?

 

[Roger Hicks]

For me the M6 would be the easy winner.

But then, much as I've admired the three or four M3s I've owned, I sold the last one 10-15 years ago because of the limitations of a 50-90-135 finder. The lack of a meter is just another strike against it. (I currently use MP, M4-P, M2 for film, M8 + M8.2 for digi.)

Cheers,

R.

 

[robbert]

Hello Hans,

Yes I am interested in a trade. I see if I can take some pictures of my M3 tomorrow (classmates carry digital cameras).

Have you got some pictures of the M6? What's the serial number? What's the status?

My M3 is a single stroke and its serial number is: 1033xxx

edit: Btw, is the M6 black? If I'm going to buy an M6 it will be a black one.

 

[robbert]

Used M8 prices have me doubting.
I'm the only student in my class doing everything analogue and it's a bit tough as I have to do quite a lot of planning on weekly assignments. Also I want to start working in color. Color rolls are getting more and more expensive, then I need to develop and scan, and then print. Being a student doesn't make this easy.

I still have an old Canon Ae-1 I can use for bw film and Fibre prints, the way I'm used to. And I think I will buy a used M8 and in the future when I have enough money an M6 will follow.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Have you considered digital slr equipment? You can buy them second hand and spend less time saving for an M6.

 

[robbert]

Yes I've taken that option into consideration, but I prefer working with a single system and rangefinder cameras suit my needs. I have decided on the M8.

 

[Sjixxxy]

I switched from an M3 to an M6 in February mainly for the viewfinder being able to handle 28mm. Haven't regretted it yet. The M6's built-in meter was a welcome feature, I've had much more solid negatives due to being able to easily verify my settings without having to dig out an external meter.

 

[1XATNOC]

I was thinking of maybe selling or swapping my M3 for an M6. Do you still have the M6 ad if so what is the condition and which viewfinder is it?

 

[robbert]

I am sorry, but I'm selling a M3 not a M6.

Btw I have finally decided after thinking it through, that I'm sticking with film and the M6 will be my camera of choice. I have sold my lightmeter today and have my Zeiss 25/28 VF for sale and once my M3 is sold I'm getting a M6.

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.

 

[jsrockit]

Have you considered digital slr equipment? You can buy them second hand and spend less time saving for an M6.

Blasphemy!

 

[robbert]

I know it's blasphemy but I sold everything last week and yesterday I bought a 5dmk2.

My interest in colour photography has risen and it got too expensive to do that in the analog way. Also for weekly assignments it was near impossible to get things done fast.

Furthermore I believe with this camera I photograph better in low-light than with film, especially in colour.

I love the aesthetic of film and I know the dynamic range of bw film is superior and I love printing in the darkroom.

I think that in a couple of years when funds open up again, I'll purchase a m6 for my b/w work. I still kept an AE-1 though, I've gotten from my father in law.

 

[maddoc]

In the end it is the photo that counts, not the camera that was used to take it ... 😉

If the Canon 5D fits your needs better, good choice. You can always either sell the Canon and buy an M6 or save the pennies and buy an M6 later, plenty available.

 

[Richard G]

The end. And I was going to say don't sell the Zeiss finder.....

 

[oscroft]

Furthermore I believe with this camera I photograph better in low-light than with film, especially in colour.

I use a 5DII too, and yes, in high-ISO low-light shooting it really is quite remarkable.

 

[robbert]

I still have the finder and the elmarit for sale, when I have sold those I'm buying the 24 or 35 L. I would love a 28 L. I think a 24 + 50 would make a good combo, but i think a single 35 would get me by just fine.