I love my… I love my M3

[kivis]

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1 hour ago, 105012 said:

Up until serial number 963,000 Leica M3's used a spring return mechanism (silent and smooth) rather than a ratchet return mechanism (zzzzzz sound and feel) for the wind-on lever. All analog Leica M's from that number have the ratchet return. Silent spring return M3's were mostly double stroke, until 919,250. From 919,250 to 963,000 the 'transitional' M3 was a single stroke, spring return, stronger (buddha's ear) strap lug combination. There were also other changes (e.g. to the viewfinder) during that range (919,250 to 963,000).

Silent return, single stroke M3's are sought after by some (mainly Japanese?) collectors as they favour the combination of the slick and silent mechanism, with a whole range of other accumulated improvements, sort of a best of the best, creme-de-la-creme...

Used to own a single stroke. I could see how the Silent return, single stroke M3's would be preferred and rare.

[EddieJ]

My first M3. Yay!

Leica M3 1057 8## mid 1962 build + 50mm Summicron Rigid 21809## early 1966 build

Picked up an E39 UVa, light yellow, light green, orange filters & a 3rd party 39mm metal screw mount vented lens shade too.

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[Greenhilltony]

A repainted M3 by unknown craftsman, CLA’d in Japan and I purchased it on eBay at 2K usd. The CLA receipt claimed the shutter drumroll and curtains have been replaced and repaired. Acting very smooth. The viewfinder is also very clean! 

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[sandro]

Congratulations with a beautiful camera, Tony! I am using mine with much pleasre.

Lex

[Pyrogallol]

1955 M3 with the lens that was probably with it from new.

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[Greenhilltony]

It’s hard to pick one to pair with the BP M3 between the smart and compact Rokkor and the classic gentleman-like Summicron.

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[sandro]

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5 hours ago, Pyrogallol said:

1955 M3 with the lens that was probably with it from new.

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And a wonderful lens it still is! Very nice combination of course.

Lex

[andrew01]

On 12/8/2023 at 1:00 PM, sandro said:

And a wonderful lens it still is! Very nice combination of course.

Lex

I also have this lens, and agree it is superb.

[matfer]

Dream:

soon a 1954-2024 anniversary M3 = MA with the M3 top plate ...0.85 viewfinder -without the 75 frames- and no frame selector, but with the classic look lens release button&protection.

That would be a nice treat!

(For the limited black paint edition they could almost add a zero to the price tag.)

 

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by matfer

[RayD28]

I like it but why no frame selector?  

[matfer]

 

4 hours ago, RayD28 said:

I like it but why no frame selector?  

Why stress Wetzlar 2024  A copy of the old film indicator on the back?! And no hot shoe + no second sync. (bulb) to generate clicks - not only on luf?

It would sell swiftly, despite not having a double stroke film advance, nor the glass plate to keep the film flat.

Can't ask for more authenticity than a replica of the original carton box + an old fashioned warranty card, for the "unpacking of" marketing YouTubes. 

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by matfer

[105012]

Simply the best! Seasons Greetings to all.

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[andrew01]

On 12/17/2023 at 11:42 AM, RayD28 said:

I like it but why no frame selector?  

The go-to source for information like this is the cameraquest web site.  I just learned that the earliest M3’s (1953 to 1955) did not have a frame line selector.  I suppose the framelines changed according to the lens mounted but there was no preview feature.

https://cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

[sandro]

You are right about the changing framelines, I have an early M3 without frame line selector and a later one with the frame line selector. I like them both but the frame selector can be very helpful. Leitz didn't leave it out initially to be more pure or something, it was a new feature added after a while.

Lex

[hydet]

I have a question about take-up spools.  I've read that some photographers, especially pjs, would pre-load and carry extra spools for faster reloading.   Was this indeed a common practice with the M2 and M3?  How would carry them?  Seems as if the pre-loaded sets would be a little ungainly.  

[williamj]

8 hours ago, hydet said:

I have a question about take-up spools.  I've read that some photographers, especially pjs, would pre-load and carry extra spools for faster reloading.   Was this indeed a common practice with the M2 and M3?  How would carry them?  Seems as if the pre-loaded sets would be a little ungainly.  

I read the same thing but not seen where an actual PJ said that is what they did. I've read an actual PJ of the period saying he carried two bodies so that he had 72 shots before he had to reload. So body no.1 could be reloaded after he'd moved onto body no. 2 and there was a break in the action. I agree that pre-loaded sets would be ungainly with the added risk of pulling film further out of the gate than you intend. But it may be what some did, I just haven't come across an actual 1st person report that that is what they did.

[a.noctilux]

On 12/17/2023 at 4:53 PM, matfer said:

 

Why stress Wetzlar 2024  A copy of the old film indicator on the back?! And no hot shoe + no second sync. (bulb) to generate clicks - not only on luf?

It would sell swiftly, despite not having a double stroke film advance, nor the glass plate to keep the film flat.

Can't ask for more authenticity than a replica of the original carton box + an old fashioned warranty card, for the "unpacking of" marketing YouTubes. 

 

The toughest work would be adding self-timer 😁.

Leica lost self-timer since so long, but why not.

The first batch also had the balls retaining back door.

Then why not the two dots on rewind button.

How about shutter "lost" of one setting, old style 1/25 in place of 1/30.

In my view the shutter of my M3 is so quiet and smooth that my newer Ms can not replicate.

I don't bother for Replica as owner/user of the original 1954's M3, never been upgraded.

 

[matfer]

The first batch avait quoi??

[a.noctilux]

1 hour ago, matfer said:

The first batch avait quoi??

The first batch of about 10,000 units ( numbering 700,001 - 710,000 ) manufactured in1954, the first M3.

https://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm#M3's

I'd add as long time user:

- the "new" (by then) shutter mechanism was the quietest and less vibration than screw mount ( side note IIIg launched in1957 has "same type" of silent shutter) before M.

- these odd divisions/markings as 1/5 , 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100

- shutter trip is light and predictable, no second stage or "spring feeling" (side note, even on my two M-A, shutter feeling is not as smooth/predictable)

- long rewind "R" lever

- retained close rear door with two spring balls, expensive solution

- smooth two actions wind-on

- glass film pressure plate

- vulcanite with a bit "higher" structure of grain, more grippable than later Ms I use

- and so many small things discovered while using this M, like the highly visible red line on button while winding/rewinding, strong springs on cold shoe while using aux finder, etc.

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[williamj]

On 1/3/2024 at 10:12 AM, a.noctilux said:

The first batch of about 10,000 units ( numbering 700,001 - 710,000 ) manufactured in1954, the first M3.

https://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm#M3's

I'd add as long time user:

- the "new" (by then) shutter mechanism was the quietest and less vibration than screw mount ( side note IIIg launched in1957 has "same type" of silent shutter) before M.

- these odd divisions/markings as 1/5 , 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100

- shutter trip is light and predictable, no second stage or "spring feeling" (side note, even on my two M-A, shutter feeling is not as smooth/predictable)

- long rewind "R" lever

- retained close rear door with two spring balls, expensive solution

- smooth two actions wind-on

- glass film pressure plate

- vulcanite with a bit "higher" structure of grain, more grippable than later Ms I use

- and so many small things discovered while using this M, like the highly visible red line on button while winding/rewinding, strong springs on cold shoe while using aux finder, etc.

 

Thanks for this list, at least one item explains something that puzzled me. I have an M3 SN 830xxx, it's not first batch of course, but it does still have continental shutter speeds (1/2, 1/5, 1/10 etc), glass pressure plate, Buddha ears, double stroke wind on. It has two black dots on the rewind knob.

What puzzled me is that the back flap doesn't hang open when you take the bottom plate off the camera, you have to manually unclip the door, which is different to all the videos you see of M cameras when they are loaded. There are these two little balls (see attached photo) that keep the back flap closed. I had no idea this was the original configuration. Thanks.

 

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