Should I trade an m6 for an m3?

[denizg7]

Hi guys,

as some of you may know I recently had a problem with my shutter speeds being off on my m6. A friend recently contacted me and said he has a mint m3 that just got cla'd and would like to trade it for my m6..

The m3 looks great , not even a single speck on the viewfinder..

I always loved the m3 and I don't use metering often..

All though I do have a 35 mm lens..

So should I trade or get my camera cla'd..

this is such a hard choice to me because if i trade it in I have a feeling i will regret it but then again its an m3 gosh this is really hard

 

[Teuthida]

No...........

 

[bugmenot]

Let me see ... a 50-60 years old camera vs. your M6 that you said was a late 90's model.

That's a rather easy answer ... ._. No.

 

[Vickko]

Assuming that the M3 is working properly (ie. recent CLA), then, maybe consider the features that will come with the M3:

- spool loading on the M3 vs the M6 film takeup. Some people like the foolproof-ness of the spool

- framelines. Yep, you've already mentioned the 35mm lines, but also consider that the M3 won't have the 75mm or 28mm.

- meterless M3 vs meter on the M6

- flash sync connectors on the M3 need an adapter for modern flash, vs the M6 hot shoe.

- knob rewind vs angled knob with lever rewind

Otherwise the two are the same.

Vick

 

[Vickko]

Oh, the M3 viewfinder doesn't flare. The M6 might.

 

[R.MacDonald]

For a 35mm lens? No. An M2 or an M4 would be a different story.

 

[denizg7]

ok i am gonna keep the m6 and cla it...

thanks for the fact sheet vickko!

i always wanted an m3 and the thought kept staying at the back of my head.. When i get elected as a city council member I'll buy an m3 and strictly use it on a 50mm lens then!

m6 seems to be the more practical choice here in terms of use!

cheers

 

[Pirate]

Let me see ... a 50-60 years old camera vs. your M6 that you said was a late 90's model.

That's a rather easy answer ... Yes.

 

[raid]

It s a personal choice. I use the M3 and the M6. They are my only film M cameras. I use the M6 more ofen but I like the M3 more as a high quality camra to admire.

 

[raid]

Yes, they are wonders of good taste in design and craftmanship. My M3 came with the receipt from Germany from the previous (first) owner. It still is in super clean shape.

 

[denizg7]

Yea, it is a preference. I have a strong preference for the meterless Ms in use. There are numerous reasons for this, too. The main reason I sold off my MPs and went with my M2/M3/M4/M4-P bodies is because of the terrible LED-red haze in the VF when shooting in low light; it caused me numerous lost frames. For the older Ms, you do have to get specimens with VFs in great shape. But otherwise they are mechanical wonders that seem to last and just keep working. FWIW, OP, I'd take my M4-P with its 50mm lines over a M6 🙂

wow really? i woulda thought the mp by now the led brightness would be automatically changed?? jap cameras built in meter had that since late 70's

 

[denizg7]

Yes, they are wonders of good taste in design and craftmanship. My M3 came with the receipt from Germany from the previous (first) owner. It still is in super clean shape.

very nice raid

 

[johannielscom]

wow really? i woulda thought the mp by now the led brightness would be automatically changed?? jap cameras built in meter had that since late 70's

Leica makes haste slowly... well, used to make haste slowly at least😉

I was an M3 man, had an M6 classic 0.85 at one time and foolishly sold it to fund something else and that was the best M6 I would have like to use linger, with retrospect. My current M2 and a 35mm lens are best buddies and I love them equally 🙂

Happy shooting with the M6 and if troubled by the LED glare (never was an issue for me), you can always take out the battery and use a handheld meter!

 

[EZfan]

If the M3 from your friend is MINT, IMHO trade it without hesitation.

 

[EZfan]

Yea, it is a preference. I have a strong preference for the meterless Ms in use. There are numerous reasons for this, too. The main reason I sold off my MPs and went with my M2/M3/M4/M4-P bodies is because of the terrible LED-red haze in the VF when shooting in low light; it caused me numerous lost frames. For the older Ms, you do have to get specimens with VFs in great shape. But otherwise they are mechanical wonders that seem to last and just keep working. FWIW, OP, I'd take my M4-P with its 50mm lines over a M6 🙂

Same here. I sold off my MP in 2005 and keep my M2/3/4 and never look back but YMMV 🙂

 

[JohnTF]

Trade it, I can find a couple of M3s to choose from to trade you, with cla .

Or simply find a nice M3 and after a year or so, you can sell off the one you really do not care for.

The M6 will get a CLA, question is, who will own it at the time.

If the light thing bothers someone, they can take out the battery?

Regards, John

 

[denizg7]

Trade it, I can find a couple of M3s to choose from to trade you, with cla .

Or simply find a nice M3 and after a year or so, you can sell off the one you really do not care for.

The M6 will get a CLA, question is, who will own it at the time.

If the light thing bothers someone, they can take out the battery?

Regards, John

Hi John,

thanks for the post.. Do you mean you can help me trade my m6 for a cla'd m3? I appreciate you saying that.

choosing between the two is the hardest choice for me , I know i will eventually get an m3 too if i keep the m6 because it has a rather mystical feeling for me

thanks

dennis

 

[emiguevara]

Yes, get that M3. And a 50mm Summicron.
Only reason why you shouldn't do it is if you really prefer 35mm lenses. An M3 in good shape with a good 50 is not a just a camera, it is a beautiful and reliable object that will make you happier than any other piece of photo equipment.
Someone was mentioning the take-up spools as a nuisance; it is a bit slower, yes, but nothing to really worry about. If you want to be really fast, you shouldn't be shooting film, get one of those Canon models that shoot like machine guns.

 

[shadowgun]

Do you need a light meter?
Do you prefer 35mm over 50mm?

If no to both, get the M3.

 

[raid]

Johan: my M6 is also a 0.85 model.