My M3 Experience

dcsang

dcsang

Canadian & Not A Dentist
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As you may or may not be aware, I have recently come into possession of Doug's (dreilly) M3 that I purchased here a couple weeks ago (yes.. I'm still waiting on an M6.. let us not speak of that right now :bang: ).

This past weekend (from Friday onwards) I've been "playing" with it.

I already have a collapsible 50mm summicron that seems to do quite nicely on the cam and I also put the CV lenses onto it as well. Here's an entirely unscientfic report about it :D

Ok, maybe it's just me... wait.. no.. it's not just me.. the thing feels very good in my hands.

Hmm.. looking back at that sentence makes me want to say "ewwww" so let me restate that; the M3 is a solid piece of equipment that made me feel like I was holding something that could not be broken. Sure I handled it like it cost a lot of money.. because it did.. but I also handled it like I wasn't afraid that if I bumped it or dropped it that it could not be fixed or that I would have to throw it away.

I've got the CV R3A and while that is a joy to use as well, I am very careful with it because it just doesn't feel like I can be "rough" with it. A few bumps and the R3A could well be on its way to the "fix-it-shop".

Everything else seems to be placed where it makes the most "sense" the preview lever, the self timer, the rewind lever, the way the rewind knob is knurled etc. - the only thing I'd like more is all the electronic stuff that I could see in the viewfinder.. shutter speed, aperture, incoming enemies, range to target etc. etc. :D But that's not what this is about because then the camera wouldn't be an M3 :)

Loading the filim for the first time was "interesting" but not difficult. I've run 3 rolls through it and now I'm a seasoned pro.. or I at least feel like one :D

The shutter speeds seem to be accurate imho. According to documentation, the last time this thing was serviced was 1987 - almost 20 years ago - and everything , from the fastest to the slowest speeds seem to be bang on. It doesn't seem to be as 'quiet' as I though it would be but it's certainly quieter.. but not by much.. than the R3A. I've been able to go as low as 1/10 handheld.. in extremely low light and come away with a decent useable shot.

The framelines are bright.
The rangefinder patch is spot on.

I've become quite happy using it and don't mind carrying around a meter with me and it's actually prompted me to start judging the light and exposure by using my head rather than the meter :) Sometimes I'm on.. sometimes I'm a smidge off (1 stop).

So far.. I'm pleased with it and now understand why people look out for these cameras when they're in good shape and at a good price. Even a beater, if serviced up to specs, would be a great addition someones arsenal.

I'm also uploading some pics here shot with the M3 and, mostly, the 50mm Cron
  1. The first photo is of a buddy of mine; we were in a bar, and while there was light.. it was rather dim. Tri-X, 1/10, f2.
  2. This photo was shot today using the CV 21mm wide open. Tmax 3200 @ 1600, 1/1000, f4 (I may be wrong about shutter speed here)
  3. Yours truly using the 50mm Cron. Tmax 3200 @ 1600, 1/30, f5.6
  4. Again, today using the CV 21mm. Tmax 3200 @ 1600, 1 second, f4

Needless to say.. I'm pretty pleased with the M3.

Cheers
Dave
 
Oh.. and Brett.. I posted those two 21mm shots for you to see.
Corners may be a wee bit soft but nothing too bad considering it's wide open at f4
 
thanks, Dave.. yep, I'm still kicking around picking up a wide angle.. very good tonality and detail in those shots
 
Dave,
Glad you're having fun with my "old" M3--So okay, jokes over, send the camera back now!

:)
 
I've got an off-color joke about getting 'used goods' from another guy stuck in my head right now.. LOL
 
I kicked around with my M3 yesterday. It is just a nice camera to use. Perfect with a 50mm, and a great match with a wide angle lens too. Yesterday I had a 28 with me. Focusing is quick, the viewfinder is bright and it just feels right in my hands.

A "loud" shutter is probably not a good reason to send it off for a CLA, but my M3 was serviced 4 years ago and the shutter is quieter than my M6. Even so, you are right, the shutter is quiet, not silent.

Enjoy!!!
 
Congratulations on the M3. I took mine out yesterday, with the CL and Canon IIf. The M3 has the best viewfinder and quietest shutter of anything that I've got. The M3SS is slightly quieter than the M3DS. Both of mine are CLA'd within the last two years. They are just incredible cameras.

Doug, we have got to get you a camera.
 
Thanks guys..
I'm enjoying the experience that the camera has given me.

I'm now going to have to add another experience because today, the household was blessed with the arrival of a beautiful gentle M6 Classic :)

I'm busting out cigars and champagne the next time the Toronto group meets ;)

Cheers
Dave
 
Great to know the M6 finally arrived. I'll be looking for one of those classic dreilly comparison tests where you throw out the lesser of the two cameras!
 
So, things are looking up in your neck of the woods! :) From meterless to metered in just a couple of days! :D

Congratulations! I understand very well your feelings about both... cameras! :eek:
 
Dave: Cigars? I'm up for that meeting! ;-) I have a Tower 51 on the way, so maybe I'll schlep it along with the 35SP.

Trius
 
The M3 is a great camera. I have a SS that still looks like new, as I use the camera very carefully. When things get "rough" on trips, I use a Canon P.
 
I'm gushing.. gushing I tell ya :)
The seller was very conservative in his description as I think this cam was barely used (from the looks of things)..

Dave
 
The M6 is to rangefinders as the Nikon FM is to SLRs: tough, reliable, easy to use, non-intimidating, a real workhorse of a camera. In fact, the more you use it, the better it works. Consider putting a ding in the top plate so you won't worry about accidentally getting your first ding. :eek: I felt much more comfortable with my M6 after it sustained a 2 foot fall from a stool to a hardwood floor.

Richard
 
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