Upgrade regrets?

[monochrome_joy]

I currently own an M3, I really enjoy the build, feel and all the other things that make Leica a class of it's own. I've encountered two frustrations though, the first being lack of decent wide angle support, the second the lack of a meter.

I've thought through all my options and I've come to this: sell M3 and use monies towards purchase of M6.

Have any of you ever done this? Any regrets?

If I wasn't so desperate, I'd just wait a while longer to save more money and keep the M3 as a backup to the M6, but I've already started a collection of cameras and it's a bit hard to justify a backup.

Thanks!

 

[bob338]

i recently sold an M3 to buy a IIIG and immediately regretted it, so i sold the IIIG and put the money toward an M6ttl. i don't regret selling the M3 anymore.

bob

 

[drewbarb]

I bought an M6 to go along-side my M3, and my upgrade regrets disappeared when I sold it for another M3. The M6 was fine, but the M3's were just better built than my very late M6 classic. Besides being not as smooth or quiet, the finder flare was utterly maddening- and much to my surprise, I found I was indifferent to the internal meter. Sometimes I even found it slowing me down. I don't miss the M6 at all.

No doubt about it, though, the 35mm focal length is awkward with an M3. I have a goggled 35, and the results are great- but the lens is heavy, a little clunky, and the view through the extra glass isn't exactly stellar. But the M3 is great with every other focal length. Of course, it's a natural with the 50mm (my normal lens, getting about half of my shooting) and the high magnification is an absolute joy with 90mm and 135mm lenses, not to mention with any fast lenses. It's great with real wide angles, too(I use a 21mm with the M3 a lot). Top mounted finders are fast and easy here, since the D.O.F. with wides means you often don't need precise focus- and when you do, the M3 is the best.

But 35mm is the one length I find awkward for the M3. For 35mm, my time with the M6 points me toward an M2 to go along with my M3's.

 

[anoldsock]

I recently upgraded from a canon 30D to a 5D. Then I bought a LeicaM6, which made me immediately regret the 5D purchase because I could have gotten an MP or some additional Leica Lenses instead of the upgrade. Anyway, that's neither here or there, and I dunno if it helps you but I wanted to share that frustration.

It might be a good idea to go ahead and buy the M6, test it alongside the M3 then sell the one you don't like? If the internal meter is important to you go ahead and get the M6, you won't regret it. For me, I chose the M6 instead of the M3 for the internal light meter. I wanted a smallish/compact package that I could carry with me everywhere. While I used the Sunny 16 rule or the VC Meter, it was more convenient for me to have an internal meter to minimize the things I had to carry.

Hope that helps.

 

[maddoc]

I have exactly done this just two month ago, replaced my M3 DS with a M6TTL 0.85x and don't regret it at all. (This last M3 was my third, BTW) My other Leica is the M4-P, the latest non-metered M-Leica.

My 2 cents about this topic:The M3 is better for taking photos OF the camera, the M6 (classic / TTL) is better for taking photos WITH the camera (on the long run) ... 😉

 

[mr_phillip]

My first Leica was a '95 M6 Classic (still own it, still love it), but I've since added an M3 and an M2. There are occasions where the M6's built-in meter are useful, but the majority of times a compact handheld meter is just as quick, and often more reliable (I tend to meter handheld with the M6 when using certain colour slide films for better accuracy).

The vintage Ms are just a whole other user experience though. Of the two, the M2 is great with 35mm lenses and the M3 best with 50s or 90s.

My recommendation though would be to sell your collection of 'other' cameras to buy a 0.72-finder M6 classic, and keep the M3 as well. The two different finders complement each other well, using the M6 for 35s and mid-aperture 50s, and the M3 (with its larger view and more accurate focusing) for wide-open fast 50s and longer lenses.

If you do sell the M3, I'll bet you end up buying another one down the road anyways 🙂

 

[payasam]

If a built-in meter is the deciding factor, then an M6; but if all you want is 35 mm frame lines, then an M2 will feel more familiar.

 

[Livesteamer]

If you are the least bit sentimental, keep your M3. My first Leica was a beat up M3 with a well used 35 summilux, no goggles. That was 1990. Strange combo but made great photos. Since then I have aquired three M6's and a bunch of lenses but frequently still use the old M3. Great finder and the lack of meter is no problem. My first M3, M6 and Nikon F will be the last things I sell. Joe

 

[jky]

Some time ago I had a M2, but sold it due to wonky shutter speeds (had no $ for the then high exchange rate to US dollars for a CLA). Regretted it.
Then just a couple of years ago I bought a M6... no regrets anymore. I realized how useful, IMHO, a built in meter was. It's not as nice to fondle as a smooth M3/2, but it was more useful for me due to the meter...
You seem to already know what you're missing or rather wanting (meter & wide angle)... why not purchase a used one & give it a shot? You'll most likely be able to sell it for the price you paid for it if it doesn't tickle your fancy.

 

[novum]

I'll never sell my M6--it just works exactly the way I like to use it. "Never say never," I know, but I'm old enough to know better. I may add an MP in the distant future, but I just don't feel the need right now. Rollei for 120, Leica for 135, and Nikons to remind me why I prefer the German cameras! No digital right now, just don't care . . .

I'm sure the M3 is better made, since the chorus says so, but I love my M6.

edit: One more thing, and this is a clincher; my friends have spontaneously noticed that my photography has gotten better. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons, but I like the progression.

 

[abenner]

It's not like you're gonna get enough selling the M3 to buy the M6, so why not just save a bit more and get an M2? That's assuming you're doing fine without a meter. I've been through a few M3's, a few M2's, an M4-P, M4-2, M6TTL, M7, MP, and a few Nikon RF's, and the kit I've settled with is an M3+50mm and M2+35mm, and couldn't be happier.

The one thing I do regret is giving up the mint MP that I got for a steal, but it still cost more than both the bodies I have now, and I wouldn't give up what I've got now to have the MP back. There's just something satisfying about not having a battery cover on the front. Just my thoughts.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

My first M body was my "classic" M6, and still have it and use it.

I did get an M3, then sold it to get the M2. I do regret selling the M3, but not getting the M2. This means, of course, an M3 is in my future 🙂

 

[Vin Vermier]

My first M body was also an M6 classic, in titanium chrome finish, which I still have and use on occasion. I acquired an M6 TTL 0.85x as a back-up and recently parted with it to buy a demo M7. Regrets? No, not really, after all I had to choose between the two and I know I would've regretted selling the M6 titanium. The M6 TTL is still selling on consignment at harrysproshop, so there is still time to change my mind, though I don't think I could make an effective argument to my spouse to keep all three. Afterall, how many "backu-ups" can one justify. The M7 is proving to be a worthy substitute for the M6 TTL and backup to my M6.

Vin

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Upgrade regrets?

M3/2 >>> M6

M6 >>> MP

MP >>> M7

M7 >>> M8

No regrets at all.

 

[maddoc]

Upgrade regrets?

M6 >>> MP

MP >>> M7

No regrets at all.

M6 >>> MP: Same here but then MP >>> (M4) M6TTL

MP >>> M7 ? Interesting !! Was AE the reason ?

 

[richard_l]

If a built-in meter is the deciding factor, then an M6; but if all you want is 35 mm frame lines, then an M2 will feel more familiar.

The M6 is a terrific picture-taking machine if you don't mind chasing the lights inside the viewfinder. I prefer the M2 because I don't mind using a handheld meter, and I love the uncluttered viewfinder.

Richard

 

[monochrome_joy]

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you all for your thoughts, experiences and opinions. I haven't made up my mind yet, mostly because I've become so used to the silky operation of the M3 that I don't want to be disappointed with something that might be lesser build quality. That being said, I've discovered over the years that my style of photography is definitely wide-angle.

I'm really leaning towards getting the M6 with a 35 summicron of some variety. The WA and meter would allow me to roam freely without a meter in the streets and then into the markets and houses and only worry about composition.

Regardless of my final decision, it will take me a few months to save enough to even make the monetary difference of selling the M3 to buy an M6. Of course, I could just sell the whole DSLR kit; but I'm definitely not at the comfort level with the RF system as I am with the DSLR.

My main focus is "travel photography" with emphasis on "concerned." I see the Leica as being unobtrusive enough to not scare the already usually timid people I find myself photographing. Thanks - Any other thoughts or experiences welcome.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

M6 >>> MP: Same here but then MP >>> (M4) M6TTL

MP >>> M7 ? Interesting !! Was AE the reason ?

The M6 was purchased after years of hating the "minimalist" topcover and inferior build/feel compared to the older M cameras I was accustomed to. But the desire for a metered M got the better of me.

I made the transition from M6 to MP because prefer the traditional M3/2 RW system. But I found the M6 vs. the MP to be a wash as to build quality and practical usage. Even so, I have no regrets.

I was one of those Leica users who swore to never stoop to AE. However, I purchased the M7 for a number of reasons, only one of which was to try the AE feature. Nevertheless, once the M7 purchase was made, it was my primary shooter.

And finally, the move to the M8 has rendered my film M cameras obsolete.