Which Leica M is closest match to Nikon S3 2000?

[dave lackey]

Okay,

One of these days, I will own a Leica. I recently sold my beloved S3 2000 and I miss it! While using my F3/T is not exactly roughing it, the experience is just not the same.😉

So, whilst I am contemplating actually finding employment, my mind wanders to pleasantries such as my first Leica. I have always wanted a M6 but the MP has a special lure. But, with tight finances, something more basic like my S3 2000 would do nicely.

So, which Leica M is most similar to my rangefinder experience?

 

[Tom A]

Dave, it has to be the M2 with its 35/50/90 combination (and this time you only see the lines applicable to the lens mounted). Same basic instrument, no fancy doodads to contend with and similar feeling of "this will last for the rest of my natural life" and I suspect that if you could take it along, for even longer. Filmsupply and darkroom might be a problem though!

 

[xayraa33]

the M2 and maybe the M3, as it is close to the S3's 1:1 50mm view in its finder.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Hi Dave, I'll go with what Tom A said 🙂 The closest M to an S3 2000 would be the M2 because of the 35/50/90 framelines. The closest M to an SP (or S2) would be the M3 because of the 50/90/135 framelines. The M finder with magnification closest to the Nikon 1:1 finders is the M3 at 0.92.

 

[Tom A]

Hi Dave, I'll go with what Tom A said 🙂 The closest M to an S3 2000 would be the M2 because of the 35/50/90 framelines. The closest M to an SP (or S2) would be the M3 because of the 50/90/135 framelines. The M finder with magnification closest to the Nikon 1:1 finders is the M3 at 0.92.

I think it took Leica a long time to come up with a SP style camera. The first Leica with 28 frames was the 1981 M4P - only 17 years after Nikon quit making the SP!!!!

 

[MikeL]

For using a 35mm lens with both eyes open, you can't beat the S3. Otherwise the M3 is nice.

 

[Al Kaplan]

The M2 would be the way to go. If you're really in to the "look" of Nikon glass you could get some thread mount (LTM) to M bayonet adapters and an 85/2 (used with the 90mm frame line), 50/1.4, and 35/1.8 Nikkors. The 85 and 50 are both fantastic lenses but the Canon 35/1.8 of that vintage is really a bit better than the Nikkor.

There's a ton of classic LTM and M bayonet glass out there compared to the amount of rangefinder Nikon lenses available.