So how bright is M3's VF?

[geetist]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum and recently purchased an M3 single stroke version.

So I read online saying that the VF of the M3 is exceptionally bright and I guess it's kinda common sense for the crowd here. My question is, how bright are we talking about?

Judging from my own camera, I can say it's definitely clear and bright enough to use, but compared to what our human eyes can see, the view I get from the VF seems to be still a bit darkened with some slight blueish tint. I guess the question is, compared to what our naked eye can see, is it normal that the VF is a bit darker or should it be as bright or even brighter to be called "exceptionally bright". I don't have experience to many high end rangefinder cameras so I cannot really say. I know that some M3s can have faded VFs over time.

Please share your opinions and experiences, thanks a lot.

-Jack

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Some of them are 60 years old now, so they have to be cleaned... The only very bright view that's surprised me, is through Voigtlander's brightline external finders: how can they look brighter than reality? I have never felt the same with any in camera finder...
Cheers,
Juan

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have never felt the same with any in camera finder...
Cheers,
Juan

The camera finder is a half-mirror, half of the light is reflected because of the rangefinder.

Erik.

 

[Pioneer]

I find it to be pretty bright but it certainly is not the brightest. As was mentioned, it is 60 years old by now so, unless it has been cleaned and updated it has age working against it.

I find that my ZI finder is brighter then both my M3 finders. I also find my Agfa Ambi Silette, Pentax LX, Zeiss Contarex and Zeiss Contaflex are at least as bright. Obviously the SLRs have to be used with fast lenses.

Of course I have no objective proof of any of this. It is all my subjective opinion from using these cameras so your mileage may vary.

 

[lonemantis]

I love the M3's finder, but in my experience it is not the brightest - especially compared to later M's and even the Bessas.

However, what the M3 finder has going for it is an exceptional amount of clarity when looking through it. Text and small shapes/patterns are very easily visible, which can make focusing with an RF patch a lot easier. It also has the benefit over many later RF finders of never flaring under any conditions. (that I've encountered)

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142187

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142187

It is very much more than adequate!
A friend has a Leica 28mm viewfinder that is really bright.
In my opinion, far too bright, hurting my eye!
My M3 has the blueish tint.
The frames are the best.
I know the 35mm not there.
I use the goggle 35mm Summaron f2.8.
The finder does become darker but still very useable.

 

[geetist]

Thanks guys for the info. I think it's actually normal judging by the comments.

 

[Takkun]

Can't say I've owned one, only looked; It's bright, though I wouldn't say, at least with the samples I've handled, any brighter than my M5.
I will say that the Bessa R3 series I own is ridiculously bright and perhaps an improvement on Leica. However, compared to other well-maintained RFs I've handled from that era (Canon, Nikon, and compacts), the M3 significantly brighter and the only one with the crisp-edged patch.

What the M3 definitely has going for it is essentially life-size magnification. That's an option I really wish was more common.

 

[thegman]

I would agree with the above, compared to what came before the M3, the M3 finder is incredible. Compared to the squinty little things the folding cameras before the M3 had, it's a revelation.

Compared to Bessa or Zeiss Ikon ZM though, it's pretty dim. I imagine age has a lot to do with it, and maybe better technology in terms of coating glass etc.

 

[Vics]

Go HERE and scroll down to "Tinted Viewfinder."

 

[_goodtimez]

Some of them are 60 years old now, so they have to be cleaned... The only very bright view that's surprised me, is through Voigtlander's brightline external finders: how can they look brighter than reality? I have never felt the same with any in camera finder...
Cheers,
Juan

Well, you should look though a pair of Leica binoculars, the 8 x 42 or something similar. Reality looks also quite pale in compare 🙂