Making of a Leica M3 Kit

dave lackey

dave lackey

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Here we are in Atlanta awaiting the big snowstorm forecast for tomorrow night. All the stores around are already swamped and out of bread, milk, etc.

Only in the South, I suppose, do people panic because they cannot live without bread and milk for a whole day!🙄

Crazy, although I did pickup an extra bag of Starbucks French Roast though...heh,heh.😉

So, while working on some order forms for a friend and sipping coffee, it hit me that the M3 I am currently using is getting lonely. Pulled out the 1956 manual and noticed that there are a number of lenses that were available then. I have only one so far. A Leica case with a custom leather strap. And...that's about it. No lens cap, filters, original boxes, nothing!

Can anyone add to the list the things I need to complete a mostly-"as new" kit circa 1961?
 
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90 Summicron would be a nice addition, though one of the Nikkors, 85 or 105 would also be a classic match too, with a twist.
 
I agree with Brian: the Elmar 90mm collapsible is perfect for the M3. Forget about the 'cron 90mm because it's too big, heavy and unwieldy. How about some good Tri-X film? Seems to be the favorite around here...
 
I agree with the 80 Elmar collapsible. It is a mechanical marvel and a pretty decent lens too. You would need a wide angle to go with the package, either a Summicron 35/2 or a Summaron 35f2.8. Both are close enough in age to fit the M3.
As for a 21, it should really be a LTM 21f4 to match the era. Another advantage is that with a Summaron/Summicron goggled 35, the 50f2 and the 90f4 collapsible and the LTM 21f4 - one filter size fits all, 39 mm.
Some bricks of TriX of course and some D76 to soup it in - and you are all set.
 
Dave---Mike at Wing's just got in some more Leica from an estate--you might check with him.
Looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the Rff'ers!
Paul
 
Collapsible 90mm Elmar at F4, on the M8:

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I have an MR meter, a 50 DR cron and a 35/2.8 Summaron for mine, and they do look the part. I cheated on the 90 (2.8 thin Tele-Elmarit) and 135 (goggled 2.8 Elmarit), they are black and look more appropriate on my M5... I did try the very appropriate Hektor 135/4.5 at first, but it gave a sickly greenish cast on colour film so I got rid of it. Might be just the thing for B/W though.
 
You might skip the MR meter, because they tend to mark up the camera's top plate as you take them on and off. How about a Weston exposure meter instead? About a Master III, I think, offhand.
 
Dave,

that collapsible Elmar 90/4.0 has M3 spelled all over it. I had one (now, why did I ever sell that?) and it fits the M3 in all aspects. Size, weight, build, handling...

And, a fellow Dutchman is selling a Summicron 50/2.0 for not-too-much today in the Classifieds (put me out of my misery, get it...😉) that would also go nicely with that M3 and 90...

I like creating sets! 😀
 
No lens cap!

No lens cap!

No lens cap (Gasp!) and what about a lens hood? Anyway, the original advertising brochure should give you some ideas and will take some finding.

I always like to make up a kit as if I'd bought the thing new. Getting the year right can be difficult though.

Regards, David
 
Dave L--the Varsity sounds great!
And as for the "storm"--I think that they are still nervous about underforecasting "snow jam" 30 years ago...🙂 🙂
Paul
 
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