What M3 to get?

[ymc226]

Regarding the 35mm issue, I see M2s for sale but can anyone comment on their build quality.

With the M2 is there still a take up spool that has to be ejected before the film counter is reset or is it more like a modern M with a dedicated uptake spool built in?

Other than the viewfinder and single stroke differences, what are the other differences compared to a M3?

If I wanted to use a 35mm with a M3, are there external viewfinders that would work? (I already have an MP with a 35 lux and 75 cron) so a M3/50 cron would be good to take on vacation along with a Pentax digital spotmeter and not worry as much as the newer stuff.

I emailed Youxin Ye and he got back to me right away. Will be away June but his prices are very reasonable for a CLA.

 

[HuubL]

The M2 has a bit sleeker body, like the modern MP.
.72 VF like the MP
Same loose spool
No auto reset frame counter. If you want one like the M3/MP pick an M4 instead (my favorite over the M2 and M3).
Build quality, on par with M3, M4. Brass body, hand-assembled!

 

[rlouzan]

Hi,

Compare, side by side, VF brightness on two or three M3 bodies.

+

Some things to avoid:

*Decementing.

*After cocking shutter chech for excessive slack on film advance lever (M3DS bodies).

*Dents/dings on advance lever side..

*Light leaks (seals), pinholes, ...

*Chewed/rusted screw heads.

Regards,
RLouzan

 

[furcafe]

Re: build quality there have been many paeans to the M2 on this site (search using Google, not the RFF's own pokey search engine). My own take is that the M2 is equivalent in build quality to the M3.

Re: differences between the various M models, rather than reinvent the wheel, I suggest you read Mr. Gandy's excellent guide:

http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

As far as accessory finders, yes you can get 35mm finders for an M3, but the bottom line is that they are not as convenient as built-in framelines.

Regarding the 35mm issue, I see M2s for sale but can anyone comment on their build quality.

With the M2 is there still a take up spool that has to be ejected before the film counter is reset or is it more like a modern M with a dedicated uptake spool built in?

Other than the viewfinder and single stroke differences, what are the other differences compared to a M3?

If I wanted to use a 35mm with a M3, are there external viewfinders that would work? (I already have an MP with a 35 lux and 75 cron) so a M3/50 cron would be good to take on vacation along with a Pentax digital spotmeter and not worry as much as the newer stuff.

I emailed Youxin Ye and he got back to me right away. Will be away June but his prices are very reasonable for a CLA.

 

[marduk]

Regarding the 35mm issue, I see M2s for sale but can anyone comment on their build quality.

They both by far excel everything out there; these cameras were made to last for the decades.

With the M2 is there still a take up spool that has to be ejected before the film counter is reset or is it more like a modern M with a dedicated uptake spool built in?

They are the same in terms of film loading.

Other than the viewfinder and single stroke differences, what are the other differences compared to a M3?

Nothing substantial. M2 has frame counter with manual reset. Most important difference is viewfinder magnification and the framelines set. Check Photoethnography.com for detailed reviews of M2 and M3.

If I wanted to use a 35mm with a M3, are there external viewfinders that would work? (I already have an MP with a 35 lux and 75 cron) so a M3/50 cron would be good to take on vacation along with a Pentax digital spotmeter and not worry as much as the newer stuff.

There is an outstanding Summaron 35mm f/2.8 that comes with googles correcting the frame of view. If you get the M3, be sure to find the one that brings the 50mm framelines. If you get the M2, you can still have the one that brings 35mm framelines. There are many praising reviews of that lens on the internet.

 

[ymc226]

any online user manual for M2/M3

any online user manual for M2/M3

I can usually find manuals for my SLR and MF (Nikon and Hasselblad) online.

Is there a site that has the manuals for the M2 or M3 so I can read about basic operations such as film reloading, etc?

 

[marduk]

I can usually find manuals for my SLR and MF (Nikon and Hasselblad) online.

Is there a site that has the manuals for the M2 or M3 so I can read about basic operations such as film reloading, etc?

The one that springs to my mind is http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_m3/leica_m3.htm
I've also had the original one somewhere. Let me know your email address by PM and I will send it to you if i manage to find it.

 

[Michael Markey]

I came back to photography after a 12 year break. Bought an M3 DS. 1955 vintage. Best thing ever. Film loading not a problem and becomes quicker the more you do it. Great viewfinder.

 

[Yammerman]

I don't get this supposed problem with the film loading. Yes when you've never done it seems hard but after a few rolls it really is so easy. I prefer it to the quick load system in the later models by a mile.

 

[MCTuomey]

if you're going to use the 35mm focal length more than the 135mm, wouldn't it make more sense to consider the M2 rather than the M3? the 35mm framelines on the M2 are very nice, accurate too as RF framelines go.

 

[Benjamin]

A good M2 (for the 35mm frames) and one of the decent viewfinder magnifiers (1.25x) will do you well for the 50mm.

The M2 is much simpler, and more practical than the M3 in my opinion. The magnifier will essentially give you an M3 style view for the 50 and works well in that will allow you to photograph with both eyes open.

Just my two pence.

 

[astroman]

A good M2 (for the 35mm frames) and one of the decent viewfinder magnifiers (1.25x) will do you well for the 50mm.

The M2 is much simpler, and more practical than the M3 in my opinion. The magnifier will essentially give you an M3 style view for the 50 and works well in that will allow you to photograph with both eyes open.

Just my two pence.

Were do you find these veiwfinders?

 

[Benjamin]

Astroman,

It's called an eyepeice magnifier I think. Cheap/ish ones come up on ebay, though Leica make a couple as well (a 1.25x and a 1.4x mag). The Leica ones are advisable, though pricey, as they are a good deal brighter than the third party ones sold on the bay.

See here:

http://www.cameraquest.com/LM1.25x.htm

 

[ymc226]

I've decided on the M3 DS as I have an MP that I use a 35 and 75 with. With the M3, i will use a 50. The seller has a 50/2 Summicron and a 50/1.4 Lux. Other then the faster lens, what are the differences in the picture taking characteristics of the Cron vs Lux?

Can anyone post pictures of either of these lens so I can get a general idea of how big they are and how they look?

 

[joebt]

First of all, I love to talk about the Leica M3 more than any other camera. I bought a M3 DS about 3 years back. It wasn't my first Leica though that distinction would go to the M6TTL. Today, I have a pair of M6TTLs (0.72 & 0.85) and the M3 DS.

My M3 DS is my favorite and handles the bulk of the action. The view finder is the best especially for my fast lenses. I mostly keep the 50mm Slux on my M3 and the combo provides a photographic pleasure beyond measure! As for the film loading of the M3, I too was almost turned off by reading about the way one had to load the M3, but I got used to it by the 2nd roll, and I prefer it to the loading of the M6TTLs by far. Once I thread the spool and drop it in, I know it's in there, it's not coming out, and I just close the bottom of the camera, take out the slack, and go to work--never second guessing it ever!

If you like a 50mm, the M3 is the ultimate 50mm shooter extrordinaire. I sometimes use the VC 35mm F/1.2 on it, and I just use the entire viewfinder with no problem. I love the M6 Twins too, especailly when I need to use flash, but I prefer to see the 50mm frame exclusively in my viewfinder. The M6TTL 0.85 is very nice too, but I have been able to make it flare. I also have the 1.25 magnifier that i sometimes use on the M6TTLs but it does lose a bit of contrast in the rangefinder patch so the M3 viewfinder is still king in the end.

Get the M3, and don't look back. Mount a 50 Slux on it and make it do what it do baby!

 

[danmitch]

ymc226: A couple of pictures of my M3 (DS) with the 50 Summicron as requested - with and without the hood fitted.

I have come from an MP to the M3, very similar in handling, though as others have commented the M3 is very smooth and has, in my opinion, the better finder.

Best - Daniel

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Maybe it is said by others, if you want one for use, take one with highest possible serial number. If you take one with a low number (model of fifties) look carefully at the rangefinder since the early rangefinder glass suffers from separation / decementing. It is very costly to have that repaired!