Question on the M3

[Mudman]

I'm being tempted by a well priced, good condition M3 double stroke, had some questions on it though. I'm currently a Leica iii user with a 50mm elmar.
1. Is the m to screwmount adapter easy to find?
2. I do a lot of photojournalism but also a lot of concert work. Do you miss the 35mm lines? I love 50mm and 90mm shots, but sometimes do like a wider angle. (sort of a mute point as I don't own a 35 for Leica). How tiny are the 135 lines in the VF?
3. Double stroke versus single stroke - does it slow you down or do you get used to it
4. Glass film plate - I live in the northeast, I do shoot in 10 degree weather or colder and I've heard that this can cause problems with static. Is this a real concern?

Thanks. I don't have much money to play with, so I need to get the best bang for buck that I can, and a M3 for $460 from a shop sounds like a good price. I want a Leica not a voightlander, Canon or FSU camera, I've tried them all and they just didn't have the feel of my iii.

 

[fbf]

1. yes check ebay, here or Cameraquest
2. 50 and 90mm will go great with m3. 35mm will not but there are ways to do it (goggled summaron for example)
3. Personally, i think this is a personal preference. I always do double stroke on my m2 and I love it.
4. maybe, I have never had problem before (maybe coz I always stay inside in the winter time...)

early DS m3 is prone to finder separation problem so better do you work before you make the purchase.

 

[thomasw_]

OP, it sounds to me as though you'd be better served by a M2 with its 35-50-90 framelines. If you are only going to buy one M, and you want to shoot both 35 and 50 lenses, then the M2 is more versatile than the M3.

 

[BTMarcais]

mudman- you asked about the 135mm framelines too... In the M3 they're perfectly usable, not too small at all to my eyes. And no, the double stroke really doesn't slow me down at all either.

 

[Livesteamer]

M2's are nice but seem to get a slightly higher price. Yes, check condition of rangefinder and if it's from a shop perhaps they can offer some warranty. The glass pressure plate may have been changed out already and be aware that the M3 DS has the older speeds. This may sound crazy but my first Leica was/is an M3 with a 35mm Summilux, no goggles. Just ignore the framelines and use the edges of the viewfinder. Not terribly accurate but it worked many years for me. Many would not like that setup but it got me started. I now use an M6 for 35mm but I still use/love that old M3. Good Luck, Joe.

 

[pachuco]

I use an M3 double stroke for allot of my PJ work, I think it works great.

 

[drewbarb]

Don't worry about the glass pressure plate, (if this camera even has one?)- glass works fine here and is fairly robust- just be a little careful when you have the camera open.

The 135mm frame lines are much bigger (and more accurate) in the M3 than in any other M camera. It's a pleasure to use a 135mm lens on an M3. As for not having frame lines for 35mm, well yes, this can be a bit of a pain. But the 50mm and 90mm are such a joy on the M3- and as I said, even the 135mm is nice here- that I'd never want to be without an M3. I also love wide angles, like 28mm, 24/5mm, and 21mm on the M3, with a finder on top for framing. DOF covers so much territory with wides that I don't find it slow or cumbersome to use these lenses with accessory finders- and if/when I need fine focus, the higher magnification of the M3 is great. If I were going to shoot primarily with a 35mm, I'd look for an M2 (actually, I am looking for a good M2) to go along with my M3's. Since you don't even own a 35mm lens for LTM or M, can I assume you don't use that FL all the time? Grab the M3 and enjoy it.

 

[WoolenMammoth]

In regards to the DS, Im personally much faster with a DS when I have to keep the camera to my face, as you would shooting a performance. Definitely a personal preference thing for sure. Some people make a big deal about it but Ive always found it faster to wind if you are winding with your right hand.

 

[pkuglin]

Like others have stated it is a trade off between the 90/135 and the 35mm. A M2 is much harder to use with 90's and 135's since the magnification is .72 verses the M3 .90. If you shoot 50 and up more than a 35 the M3 is great and simply get a hot shoe VF for the 35. The good news is it will also work with the iii. Just get a LTM 35MM (like a VC) and it will work on both camera's 🙂

That is what I would do.

 

[Mudman]

I definitely use the 50 -135mm focal lengths a lot for shooting concerts. I also use a Nikon system, and don't even own a straight 35, just the 35-70 f2.8. My most used focal lengths are generally a 50mm f2 and a 85 f2 in that system. a 24mm rounds it out for getting upclose and personal. You've all made a lot of sense. I think I'll wait and save for a bit longer and not be rash about it all.

Thanks,

 

[drewbarb]

If you want to switch to Leica and keep using 50mm and 85mm most, the M3 is probably your best choice. 35mm is the only FL that is a bit awkward on the M3, and admittedly it's one that a lot of folks use a lot. This is why there is an M2. IMO, the best Leica M kit has one of each of these bodies.

 

[tom_uk]

I definitely use the 50 -135mm focal lengths a lot for shooting concerts. I also use a Nikon system, and don't even own a straight 35, just the 35-70 f2.8. My most used focal lengths are generally a 50mm f2 and a 85 f2 in that system. a 24mm rounds it out for getting upclose and personal.

An M6/TTL/M7/MP with .85 viewfinder would work as well, then. The VF magnificaton is almost as high as the M3 so 90 & 135 lenses easier to use, but it does have 35mm frame lines as well, which the M3 doesn't.

 

[johannielscom]

I'm an M3 DS shooter and have a 35mm Hexanon on the way to use on the M3's.

Shooting the DS's does not slow me down, it did not take any getting used to either. I once had a SS M3 in hands and found it awkward.

I am pretty confident that shooting a 35mm lens without additional viewfinder will be feasible, although I will miss the space around the frame, since it's always very beneficial to see what's outside the frame, in terms of composition.

I would forget to set the frame counter to zero over and over with the M2.

 

[Mudman]

alright here are the two choices that I've found in my price availability, both come with a month warranty.
M2 -$330ish shipped

or an M3 - $430ish shipped to my door. This one is much cleaner. Is it worth the extra $100?

 

[jmarcus]

I think you might want to buy both, given the chance I would be. I think you have a chance at selling one for double the price.

James

 

[Ken Ford]

If you don't want that M2, let me know!

 

[elude]

go with the M3. the M2 seems to be in great shape though, its just the vulcanite that's lost pieces, its not an issue, you can recover great grip with a new skin.
but the M3 definitely fits your needs. I however prefer the single stroke to the double stroke, I love the pleasure of the amplitude.

 

[MCTuomey]

great prices, esp for that M2! yeah, buy both, try 'em, and sell one if you don't want to keep two.

 

[John Lawrence]

As others have said it's down to personal choice. I like a 35mm lens on my Leica, so if it were me choosing, I'd go with the M2.

 

[sanmich]

I bought an M3 but only as a speciality camera for long FL.
I fills the bill wonderfully but the M2 is my main camera (and 35/50 my main combo).
both cameras seem to be bargains, so it comes down to a choice in finder/ FL combo.