paradoxbox
Well-known
Tonight I was hanging around in Shinjuku with my Kiev 4 (Contax copy) - My particular Kiev is wonderfully well built and accurate.
Anyway as I wandered the streets photographing people and places, I ended up near Map Camera and decided to take a look at what they had inside. I got around to shooting a Leica M2 and M3 they had on display. It was the first time I have tried a film Leica - I have shot an M8 and it was OK, but not as good as the M3 in my opinion.
The M3 really pulled me in. The shutter sound was really quiet - not as quiet as my Kiev but almost the same, and the viewfinder was beautiful, on par with my Epson R-D1. I foresee an M3 in my near future... I think I'll try to find a slightly beat up "user" camera rather than a mint one though. It was very nice to shoot with that M3.
Anyway as I wandered the streets photographing people and places, I ended up near Map Camera and decided to take a look at what they had inside. I got around to shooting a Leica M2 and M3 they had on display. It was the first time I have tried a film Leica - I have shot an M8 and it was OK, but not as good as the M3 in my opinion.
The M3 really pulled me in. The shutter sound was really quiet - not as quiet as my Kiev but almost the same, and the viewfinder was beautiful, on par with my Epson R-D1. I foresee an M3 in my near future... I think I'll try to find a slightly beat up "user" camera rather than a mint one though. It was very nice to shoot with that M3.
stratcat
Well-known
I feel your 'enlightening'. I spent the past year shooting with my FED 3 and Kiev 4 and several 70's fixed lens rangefinders.
Then in december I met with a guy who was selling his M3. When I first held the M3 to my eye, operated the film advance lever and clicked the shutter release button, I understood...
I still enjoy a lot shooting my Kiev 4 and Japanese rangefinders and they have provided me with some pictures I really like, but my M3 is just in a whole different league.
The shutter in my M3 is slightly more discreet than my Kiev's 'fast' speeds which not only 'clunk' loduer but also kick like a mule!
I hope you can get your M3 soon enough. Now I wonder if I should get an M2 for those 35mm shots....
Then in december I met with a guy who was selling his M3. When I first held the M3 to my eye, operated the film advance lever and clicked the shutter release button, I understood...
I still enjoy a lot shooting my Kiev 4 and Japanese rangefinders and they have provided me with some pictures I really like, but my M3 is just in a whole different league.
The shutter in my M3 is slightly more discreet than my Kiev's 'fast' speeds which not only 'clunk' loduer but also kick like a mule!
I hope you can get your M3 soon enough. Now I wonder if I should get an M2 for those 35mm shots....
sleepyhead
Well-known
I've been a long time user of 2 beat-up black M4-Ps (you know, with gaffer tape and black-sharpied lettering...). But about a year ago a fairly inexpensive "beater" chrome double-stroke M3 came up in a local classified ads listing, and I picked it up on an impulse (even as I was striving to "simplify my kit"...).
Now I think the M3 is my favorite camera - a timeless, beautifully-designed, functional tool that I'll never part with. The M4-Ps are "just tools" to me; if I ever decide I don't need them (like when I save up enough for an M9), they will get sold.
I should disclose though, that my adoration of the Leica M3 has also coincided with a phase in my photography in which I've gravitated away from the 35mm focal length and towards the 50mm.
M3 + Summitar = Classic Simplified Kit
So, yes, get an M3. Enjoy it. If you don't bond with it, sell it on to someone who will adore it.
Now I think the M3 is my favorite camera - a timeless, beautifully-designed, functional tool that I'll never part with. The M4-Ps are "just tools" to me; if I ever decide I don't need them (like when I save up enough for an M9
), they will get sold. I should disclose though, that my adoration of the Leica M3 has also coincided with a phase in my photography in which I've gravitated away from the 35mm focal length and towards the 50mm.
M3 + Summitar = Classic Simplified Kit
So, yes, get an M3. Enjoy it. If you don't bond with it, sell it on to someone who will adore it.
thegman
Veteran
Indeed, first time I used an M3, it was a bit of a revelation. It's camera that does practically nothing by comparison to a "modern" camera, but that's what makes it great. It really makes you realise that you don't need any of the features of a newer camera.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
My M3 (Chrome, 730xxx double stroke) will be on sale later this week to cover for another purchase.
My decision is made and that's how it's gonna be, but threads like this still make me go all soft inside...
My decision is made and that's how it's gonna be, but threads like this still make me go all soft inside...
sleepyhead
Well-known
My M3 (Chrome, 730xxx double stroke) will be on sale later this week to cover for another purchase.
My decision is made and that's how it's gonna be, but threads like this still make me go all soft inside...
Johan, there will always be other ones out there in the future.
jarski
Veteran
it was my first M, that I always remember best. since then came M2, M5, M7 and M8, all gone now. handling these -50's and -60's gems can be unforgettable experience, not possible with modern cameras (havent tried XPro though )
)
Austerby
Well-known
My M3 was my first M and it's still the camera I use the most. I also have an M2 and M8 and have also owned an M6ttl, an M7 and an MP - all since sold (or likely to be soon) whilst the M3 remains. I think the need to work within its strengths and not be distracted by perceived limitations makes getting good results from it all the more satisfying.
hipsterdufus
Photographer?
Just buy it. I shot with a model over the weekend using my M3. There's nothing in the world like it. Particularly for shooting portraits. Great focusing accuracy, no shutter blackout, and it feels like a million bucks. I can't imagine getting rid of mine.
paradoxbox
Well-known
I tried to pull the trigger on an M3 I saw on auction tonight. I am an auction stalker, I tend to find auctions that are ending at strange times of the night on weeknights, at undervalued prices, when all the other bidders tend to be asleep.
Unfortunately, this guy set the reserve price of his auction a little too high for me so I bailed out after stepping up the bid price a few hundred dollars. The asking price was not outrageous but just a little too high for what I wanted to pay.
I shall await another...!
Unfortunately, this guy set the reserve price of his auction a little too high for me so I bailed out after stepping up the bid price a few hundred dollars. The asking price was not outrageous but just a little too high for what I wanted to pay.
I shall await another...!
Ronny
Well-known
brainwood
Registered Film User
Thats a very nice set up you have there Ronny - enjoy it
akiralx
Established
Shiney chrome and grey:
paradoxbox
Well-known
Well, I did it! I bought an M3.
My wallet simultaneously exploded.
I ended up buying a single stroke with an 801*** serial number, very clear viewfinder but some scuffs on the exterior and vulcanite in good condition. Was more than I wanted to pay but I did it anyway.
I'll be selling some cameras in the classifieds in the near future to make room for this one!
My wallet simultaneously exploded.
I ended up buying a single stroke with an 801*** serial number, very clear viewfinder but some scuffs on the exterior and vulcanite in good condition. Was more than I wanted to pay but I did it anyway.
I'll be selling some cameras in the classifieds in the near future to make room for this one!
Congrats, I didn't say it before, but,
Everyone NEEDS an M3.
Enjoy!!!
Everyone NEEDS an M3.
Enjoy!!!
huntjump
Well-known
too true!
Congrats on your pickup. I coincidentally got an m3 this weekend as well. Mines Double Stroke...wondering if i should convert it for $160ish
guoshuo
Established
yes, we all need m3
daveywaugh
Blah
For what it's worth, I've used both DS and SS and frankly I don't see the difference... both are great. Mine is actually a late model SS but I almost preferred the DS I got to play with a while back... I'd save the $$ for glass or a nice half case ;-)
Spicy
Well-known
sounds pretty steep just to change the stroke. i've never shot a DS but i've read a few times online that people who were looking for an M3 accidentally or intentionally bought a DS because it was cheaper, and then wound up liking it better (two short strokes were faster/easier/felt better than one longer one).
i'd say shoot it for 10-20 rolls and then reevaluate it. if it's something you can live with, better to put that cash towards lenses/film costs. if you can't, well, then go for it.
huntjump
Well-known
I've owned a SS M3, but the DS ive only tried a few times. Can't say if it would bother me, but I am used to a full stroke (m6, r-d1 and m3 ss). I haven't really explored how much a conversion would cost, is $160 high?