Jungle Jim
Leica Fat Old Men's Club
I just wanted to thank the users of this forum for all of their invaluable advice. Especially merciful, FrankS and SolaresLarrave on their comments, likes and dislikes about the M3. I've spent the past several weeks going over the 28 (now 29) pages of information on this forum. Thanks to you I am now a proud owner of an M3, serial number 964XXX, which makes it from 1959. I am just 3 years older than the M3 LOL!
It was CLA'd by DAK a little over a year ago and it had new black leather put on it from cameraleather.com by the previous owner. From your advice I checked the rangefinder and viewfinder for signs of degluing and made sure the sight was bright and contrasty. I've added a recent 50mm Summicron with the detachable hood and tab from Canada that John from FocalPoint Lens had for sale. (Bit banged up and paint gone from places but the glass is excellent according to John.) Also picked up a mint 90mm Elmarit with 6 new B+W filters from someone on eb*y. Guess he didn't like rangefinders.
I've been shooting for 36 years. Started with my father's Agfa rangefinder, then progressed to the Nikkormat FTN SLR, then the Nikon F2. By 1995 my tired eyes could no longer focus on the ground glass prism so the whole collection went to my wife who still uses it today. I switched to Canon with the USM lens and fast autofocusing. Health problems (bad asthma) has slowed me down and a recent trip to Merida in the Yucatan carrying 2 Canon 1N bodies and 3 prime lenses in a backpack in 90 degree heat and 90 percent humidity didn't help. So I decided it was time to go lighter.
I was at a wedding party for my niece when I ran into a guest who was shooting with an M3. She let me try it out. The viewfinder that even my eyes could see! Eureka!! Light, portable, fantastic glass. But it was almost as old as I was. So it was time for some research. And I found this website and all of your valuable advice.
Sold my Canon 500mm lens for wildlife photography (It was getting waaay too heavy to haul around) and started shopping.
Again, my sincere thanks to all of you here on the Leica forum. I'll be shooting lots of film to get used to the new controls. The Canons will stay where they are for product shots and Leica will be my walkabout camera.
BTW, I think I am suffering from a bad case of GAS. Thought I had everything I needed for the M3 but I now have to search for a good, lightweight, waterproof case for traveling. Oh well, that's half the fun of a new system!
It was CLA'd by DAK a little over a year ago and it had new black leather put on it from cameraleather.com by the previous owner. From your advice I checked the rangefinder and viewfinder for signs of degluing and made sure the sight was bright and contrasty. I've added a recent 50mm Summicron with the detachable hood and tab from Canada that John from FocalPoint Lens had for sale. (Bit banged up and paint gone from places but the glass is excellent according to John.) Also picked up a mint 90mm Elmarit with 6 new B+W filters from someone on eb*y. Guess he didn't like rangefinders.
I've been shooting for 36 years. Started with my father's Agfa rangefinder, then progressed to the Nikkormat FTN SLR, then the Nikon F2. By 1995 my tired eyes could no longer focus on the ground glass prism so the whole collection went to my wife who still uses it today. I switched to Canon with the USM lens and fast autofocusing. Health problems (bad asthma) has slowed me down and a recent trip to Merida in the Yucatan carrying 2 Canon 1N bodies and 3 prime lenses in a backpack in 90 degree heat and 90 percent humidity didn't help. So I decided it was time to go lighter.
I was at a wedding party for my niece when I ran into a guest who was shooting with an M3. She let me try it out. The viewfinder that even my eyes could see! Eureka!! Light, portable, fantastic glass. But it was almost as old as I was. So it was time for some research. And I found this website and all of your valuable advice.
Sold my Canon 500mm lens for wildlife photography (It was getting waaay too heavy to haul around) and started shopping.
Again, my sincere thanks to all of you here on the Leica forum. I'll be shooting lots of film to get used to the new controls. The Canons will stay where they are for product shots and Leica will be my walkabout camera.
BTW, I think I am suffering from a bad case of GAS. Thought I had everything I needed for the M3 but I now have to search for a good, lightweight, waterproof case for traveling. Oh well, that's half the fun of a new system!
N
NoTx
Guest
Jungle Jim said:BTW, I think I am suffering from a bad case of GAS. Thought I had everything I needed for the M3 but I now have to search for a good, lightweight, waterproof case for traveling. Oh well, that's half the fun of a new system!
Weird question. Why? An M3 has no electronics. Very little of anything but glass or brass as well. You could probably do with a lighter case if you want to.
Just a comment
I am at the moment considering an M4P (actually 2), at the moment for exactly that reason.
Good luck, and enjoy!
FrankS
Registered User
Congratulations, Jim! Enjoy that "new" camera! It's a beauty!
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
How can you call yerself "Jungle Jim" living in Northern California?
I'm glad I was of any help... and of course glad you're happy with the little devil of the M3! I find that even after owning two later models with built-in meter, the M3's allure is simply irresistible.
Now... my camera body is newer than yours. Mine is a DS of 1957 vintage, and works very well with a collapsible 'cron two years younger, and an MR meter about 9 years younger. Being born in 1959 makes me feel a true Leica man!
Enough. Don't fret too much over a waterproof case. Just get a leather half-case (be it from Leica or Luigi). That'll do the trick. Nope, Leicas ain't waterproof, but you still want to have it ready to shoot "the decisive moment."
Congratulations on your purchases! Now, go out and take some pics!
I'm glad I was of any help... and of course glad you're happy with the little devil of the M3! I find that even after owning two later models with built-in meter, the M3's allure is simply irresistible.
Now... my camera body is newer than yours. Mine is a DS of 1957 vintage, and works very well with a collapsible 'cron two years younger, and an MR meter about 9 years younger. Being born in 1959 makes me feel a true Leica man!
Enough. Don't fret too much over a waterproof case. Just get a leather half-case (be it from Leica or Luigi). That'll do the trick. Nope, Leicas ain't waterproof, but you still want to have it ready to shoot "the decisive moment."
Congratulations on your purchases! Now, go out and take some pics!
Welcome, Jungle Jim! And congratulations on your "new" M3, a sleek and useful shooter. My M2 is only a year older, purchased used in 1967. Enjoy RFF!
richard_l
Well-known
Congratulations on the M3, Jungle Jim. My M3 is a few years older than yours, as befits my advanced age.
Uncle Bill
Well-known
Welcome Jungle Jim!
You will love your M3, actually a really nice lens for it would be a Canon 50/1.4 screwmount for their rangefinders and get an M bayonat mount adapter. Some of my best photos were taken with that lens.
Bill
You will love your M3, actually a really nice lens for it would be a Canon 50/1.4 screwmount for their rangefinders and get an M bayonat mount adapter. Some of my best photos were taken with that lens.
Bill
S
Skinny McGee
Guest
Hello Jim welcome I also just got an M# I have been using a 111A. So now I can't wait to get out and fire off this M3. Welcome.
Skinny
Skinny
Congratulations on the M3. It is a fine camera, and has the best viewfinder that I've seen.
I still use my F2's, even with my eyesight. Which focus screen do you have in it, and have you tried any others?
I still use my F2's, even with my eyesight. Which focus screen do you have in it, and have you tried any others?
peter_n
Veteran
Welcome to the forum Jim! I don't have an M3 as I'm partial to the newer bodies but from your description it sounds like it's in wonderful shape and will give you years of service. I have dealt with John Van Stelten and if he says the glass in your 50mm is good then it is. Enjoy your new camera!!
richard_l
Well-known
As Peter says, you can certainly take John's word on the condition of your lens. I've dealt with him too.
R
RubenBlaedel
Guest
Get a vintage Perrin Contour leather bag fromthe 1950ties - in tan california leather
- its light - its beatifull - it taks two bodies and lenses - its designed same time as the M3 and its even trendy-
- its light - its beatifull - it taks two bodies and lenses - its designed same time as the M3 and its even trendy-
Jungle Jim
Leica Fat Old Men's Club
Thanks for the kind messages!
Brian-- I had tried as many screens for the Nikon F2 that I could find in the area camera stores, back in 1994. I wound up buying the Type J,K, and G screens, but I just couldn't focus dead-on with any of them. Of course, that was before eb*y where the world became a shopping bazaar for cameras and accessories.
Brian-- I had tried as many screens for the Nikon F2 that I could find in the area camera stores, back in 1994. I wound up buying the Type J,K, and G screens, but I just couldn't focus dead-on with any of them. Of course, that was before eb*y where the world became a shopping bazaar for cameras and accessories.
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