Next Leica: IIIf or M2 or M3?

[mobius981]

Suggestions welcome. New here, but not new to Leicas. I have a IIIc purchased back in the early 90s with three sufficient lenses: Elmar 5cm, Elmar 9cm and Hektor 13.5cm. Plus assorted gadgets including a selenium battery Leica meter with booster that still works! Love the gadgets!

I would like a slightly newer model that will still use the lenses I have, so that going forward, if I purchase additional lenses they can be screwmount but use the bayonet adaptor if necessary.

I am fairly familiar with the screwmount model Leicas, not so much with the Ms. I know this is the LTM forum page, but I figured you all would get what I am asking!!

Please weigh in and let me know your opinion for next camera body...most of this of course will be for black and white, with possible upcoming darkroom work...looking at closeup work as well...Thanks in advance!!!

 

[aoresteen]

Do you mean Hektor 13.5cm lens? 31.5cm is 315mm which is a LOOOONG lens?

Your choice of bodies depends on your style of photography. If you are going to use wide angle lenses such as a 35mm or a 28mm then you should consider the M2 but I would recommend the M4-P over the M2 as it also shows the 28mm frame lines.

If you are going to stay with 50mm, 90mm, & 135mm lenses then get the M3. I would skip the IIIf and get the IIIg if you want to stick with a screw mount Leica body.

I use my IIIf most with a 21mm lens one it.

One accessory that I just love is the Leicavit. I have 2 - one each on my If and IIIf. Makes the screw mount cameras a much more usable machine.

 

[Robert Lai]

Your IIIc will accommodate any screw mount lens. Getting another screw mount camera is only useful if you wish to use flash. For that, I would also recommend the IIIg. Flash is far easier to use on the IIIg than messing with the synchronizer on the IIIf. Also the viewfinder of the IIIg is a thing of beauty.

However, even I have cut back on my Barnack cameras to just a IIIg, Bessa R, and Canon 7s. The IIIg with the Leicavit (SYOOM) makes it a very fast handling camera. I used to have many more, but I've cut back to these.

Going to the future, you may want to get into the Leica M system. You can still use your current lenses with an adapter, and there are the fabulous (and horribly expensive) M mount lenses. The M3 has the best viewfinder if you like to use 135mm. Next would be any of the 0.85X finder cameras (M6TTL, M7, MP, M-A). To keep costs from getting out of hand, consider a very nice condition M6 or M6TTL.

 

[xayraa33]

Get a Canon 7.

High class reflected lens lines in the finder for many focal length of lenses, but no cold shoe.
Very affordable.
Widely Available.

 

[ktmrider]

M2-Leica got something right about that model and the viewfinder is the basis for every subsequent model in film M's.

Having said that I will agree the M3 is better for 50mm and longer lenses so it just depends on what you use. The full frame on the M2 is basically the 28mm field of view and all your screw mount lenses would work with a LTM to M adopter except the 135.

 

[mobius981]

Yes, yes, Hektor 13.5 cm (edited to correct, lol). Thanks to everyone for the already considered responses...lots to think about especially the wide angle lenses (I would like a Telyt 200 as well as at least a 35mm). I am kind of a purist, kind of nostalgic that way in terms of the heart-rending poetry of old-style photography...so I want to stick with old Leica work and I have learned to enjoy the tedium/mindfulness, as a form of meditation.

For travel, something I would care less about in terms of damage or loss, I just got a Panny Lumix DS50. That should do it for the digital age. And for really heavy, I have an OM-1 with a variable lens and flash. Just so you all know!

Please continue to comment...very helpful info about the Ms!

 

[Mudman]

Given your current lenses I'd lean towards the M3, unless you're planning on using a 35mm at any point in the future. Even then, I've used one successfully with guessing the framing outside of the 50mm lines. I don't know how much of a difference you'd see with a iiiF versus the C.

 

[burancap]

Everybody should own an M3 at least once in their life. Considering your existing lenses, no question!

 

[Robert Lai]

The M3 has 0.91X viewfinder magnification. This means that it has the longest effective baselength, and the most accurate rangefinder.

The M2 all the way to the M-A as issued use a 0.72X viewfinder. There are detail differences. With the M2 you get one frameline each, for 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm. With the subsequent finders, they double up some lines e.g. 35mm + 135mm show up together.

Some of the M6TTL and later cameras did come with alternative finder magnifications of 0.58x (for wide angle lens fans), and 0.85x (to approach the accuracy of the M3's finder).

It should be noted that the Barnacks that have the 1.5X magnifying rangefinder eyepiece also give you the same focusing accuracy in theory as the 0.85X magnification M finders.

You can find details on Stephen's web site:
https://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm

 

[FrankS]

If you've already got a ltm Leica, then by all means, get an M mount. I'd suggest an M2, or if a meter is required, an M6.

 

[ironhorse]

If you are primarily a 50mm shooter, the viewfinder of an M3 is an absolute joy. Perfect for my 50mm/ 85mm kit. If you like wider, an M2 or m4 would be your best choice. Look for the camera in the best condition in your price range. I have always been confident buying from the members of this forum.

 

[mobius981]

Hi folks! Yikes! I pulled the trigger on a M3. All your input and advice was very welcome, I narrowed it down to a recently serviced M3 SS.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161961627010?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I hope the link shows, let me know if it does not.

I know I am taking a chance on the auction, but I have a seven day review...if anyone wants to help me out on what to look for once I have it in my hands please do.

This, especially after reading above commentary, was on my bucket list. I hope we will be very very happy together!:angel:
Only time (and condition) will tell.

 

[Rob-F]

Well congrats! I think you made the right choice. The M3 is the perfect Leica for the 50/90/135mm lens set.

 

[mobius981]

Well, I am kind of a brat and ordered a Summicron 35 f3.5 screw mount as well, but I will figure it out, that is the great thing about Leica, there are always fixes! I know the M2 might have been better, but I am always working on maxing out my choices...😀

 

[Rob-F]

If it's a 35mm f/3.5, it is not a Summicron. The latter is always f/2. I think it must be a Summaron. Good lens! Just get a 35mm accessory finder.

 

[mobius981]

Sorry, my error, just so much Leica stuff in my head right now. You are quite correct...Summaron! Wonder if the VIOOH I have will work? It says it will...

Where is your avatar anyway? Makes me think I should find mine!

 

[FrankS]

Nice M3 with high serial number.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Very good decision! With lenses like these, M3 is the only one which makes sense.
Don't wait for darkroom, prints from long lenses are even more special. No unnecessary details in bokeh as in scans.

 

[mfogiel]

If you want to shoot wider lenses, you need an M mount body - I would not waste time with non Leica cameras at this point. If you don't then the logical choice would be the M3.
You will get up to 35mm coverage with the M2 or M4(recommended), and up to 28mm coverage with later models, like M4P. Then there are the metered bodies of various kinds, but all more expensive.
For close up photography your best Leica will be a Nikon F2 with the 55/3.5 Nikkor: cheaper, better at the task and equally indestructible.

 

[Fixcinater]

You should enjoy the different experience an M3 will give you after the Barnack.

I've been mainly using Canons for my 35mm RF work, recently got a IIIF on loan from a friend. I vastly prefer my M3 and Canons, but maybe it could work well once accustomed to the dual windows, etc.