Cadfael_tex Posted June 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’ve been eyeing getting a Leica for some time but life has gotten in the way and I haven’t saved up for one yet. I’ve been shooting some film through my old Nikon F2 and reading up on developing my own black an white. I have some Ilford XP2 in it right now. Got two questions (and I hope that this doesn’t get adversarial like some of the threads I’ve read). 1. Of the film Leicas, I’m really looking at the M3 but the screw-mounts' price is attractive. What would your recommendation for a film Leica be? 2. Will film be readily available in years to come? I see kodak going away and other brands cutting back on their offerings. TIA, Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 Hi Cadfael_tex, Take a look here M3 and Film: Is it For Me?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted June 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 19, 2012 Film will be around for a long time yet, decades, although I suppose colour film may become more and more difficult to get. Anyway, there is still more than enough variety and supply. If price is an issue, instead of an M3 why not an M2, a better camera anyway, and cheaper than an M3. The LTM Leica's while superb are not the best shooters for a novice. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted June 19, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 19, 2012 Little things like loading film is easier with the Ms than it is on the screw mounts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 19, 2012 Thanks for the replies. I’m still researching and learning. Kinda lost on the lenses over the years. What would you do for the best ‘one lens’ to pair with an earlier M? (a little bit of why would help me out to ) I’m searching back through threads on this part of the forum to find an answer but I’ll ask here anyway -- if I do give developing my own B+W a try, what are some good resources to learn? Also, how much cash (USD) do you think I’d need to set aside for the right film M when it comes along? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted June 19, 2012 Share #5 Posted June 19, 2012 .... I’m searching back through threads on this part of the forum to find an answer but I’ll ask here anyway -- if I do give developing my own B+W a try, what are some good resources to learn?.....Regarding the lens, for me I got totally hooked on Leica stuff using a M2 with a 35/2.8 summaron, this required no less than one film. Game over. See here Leica Leitz 35mm f/2.8 Summaron and much to my commiseration I agree with Ken Rockwell in this case:rolleyes: It depends on whether you get a M2 or a M3 which version is preferable, I have the ungoggled M2 version. But they all work - excellently. In fact I believe I have rarely even considered using a different lens on my M2 - it is a perfect match. Maybe once or twice a TE 90/2.8 (fat) just for the heck of it. Images, see here and here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted June 19, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 19, 2012 If shopping for used M3 and M2 bodies, be aware of finder separation issues. Leica used an organic balsam glue and separation is not uncommon. Even with one that looks okay, a smack on a table or hard surface can start the separation. Not financially feasible to fix, either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted June 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) If shopping for used M3 and M2 bodies, be aware of finder separation issues. Leica used an organic balsam glue and separation is not uncommon. Even with one that looks okay, a smack on a table or hard surface can start the separation. Not financially feasible to fix, either. So is that a condition that will affect all M3/M2's eventually? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted June 19, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 19, 2012 I had one that showed slight separation but never went any further. I had it for about six years with no issue. I had an M2 that showed no indication and the camera looked to be rarely used. It fully separated without warning in 6 months. Whether one will separate during your ownership is unpredictable. But the point is to be on the lookout for any indication of separation and determine your purchase accordingly. You might want to consider a more 'modern' M6 classic. Plus you'd have some conveniences that the M3/M2 lacks. And if you prefer to be meterless, you can simply take out the batteries of the M6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted June 19, 2012 Thanks for the answer so quickly. I already went and looked at M6's at KEH What are the best places to buy used M's? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nibbler Posted June 19, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 19, 2012 Remember that the camera is just a box holding the film. The difference between an M3 and M2 is trivial. The important thing is the transition from the F system to the M system - they are very different beasts and not everyone likes an M. Try before you buy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted June 19, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 19, 2012 Try the m4. Last of the great well built Ms. Has faster loading than m2 3 and frame lines are 35 50 90 135. Great view finder. And they are newer. Great camera. Not too many around Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted June 19, 2012 Well, I'll soon be a Leica owner. I ordered a IIIf with 50 f3.5 Elmar collapsible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenoates Posted June 20, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 20, 2012 Congratulations on your IIIf. I have one too with the collapsible elmar 50 f2. 8. I also have an M3 for film but the IIIf has that connection with me in the sense of the discipline involved in photography when determining the exposure, adjusting the knobs manually then focusing and composing the shot in the 2 windows. Sent from my Desire HD on Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted June 20, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 20, 2012 Have fun. You will certainly be entertained in one way or another with it. Don't forget to pre-trim all your film, or carry a knife and get one of these: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/182101-m3-and-film-is-it-for-me/?do=findComment&comment=2044344'>More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted June 20, 2012 CalArt99: What is that? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted June 20, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 20, 2012 The Leica ABLON. It's a template and it makes trimming the leader off your film a lot easier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted June 20, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 20, 2012 1. Of the film Leicas, I’m really looking at the M3 but the screw-mounts' price is attractive. What would your recommendation for a film Leica be? Hi Tony Re point 1, are you good at estimating exposure indoors? Outdoors is usually a doodle but indoors is tricky. If you are not, then get a camera with light meter. I went from M3 to M6TTL because I blew too many indoor shots. I didn't have a separate light meter. I tried using my iphone to measure the light and it worked, but it was too clumsy for me. It felt like coming home when I got the M6TTL, which is very user-friendly. Your choice will also depend on how much you want to spend. If strapped for cash, get a camera that is mechanically and optically in good shape (or get one that isn't and have it restored; it can be worth it price-wise) but which looks worn. Those are the real good deals. Don't go for cosmetics. The screwmounts are fun to shoot. I have a Leica II that just entered its 9th decade and works perfectly. Still it lacks a meter, is limited to 50mm without external viewfinder and is more difficult to focus in darkish surroundings. I wouldn't begin with such a camera if I were new to rangefinder photography. Rather get one later after having learnt to use the M you eventually buy. The M2s usually cost much less than the M3s and the M4s. Though the M4-2s and M4-Ps often cost less than the M4s. There are deals around, like this M4-2 at Red Dot for £399. It pays to shop around. The good thing about Leica equipment (and I know I am generalising here) is that it usually holds value well and you can sell it off, if necessary, without losing much. One very important aspect for you to consider is how you shoot focal-length-wise. That will determine which model to get, due to available framelines. M3 is pretty limited in this respect, though there are lenses with "eyes"/goggles which adjust the framelines so you can use wider than 50mm lenses. My M6TTL has everything from 28 to 135. Some feel the framelines are annoying and clutter up the finder image. I disagree and like the flexibility of using pretty much any lens I want. As for where to buy, there are loads of places and virtually all ship internationally. I have personally bought from Leicashop in Vienna, Red Dot Cameras in London and Foto Prisma in Bologna and received sterling service from all. As tempting as it may seem, I would avoid Ebay. Most dealers offer a warranty of some sort or at least allow you to return the item if you didn't like it. That freedom would be worth the extra money dealers might charge (though often my own comparisons with Ebay is that prices there are often similar to dealer prices, esp. on more popular Leica gear). Lastly, the Wiki on this site is a wealth of information and well worth studying. For specific questions this forum is incredibly knowledgable and helpful, so ask away. Cheers Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 20, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 20, 2012 And don't overlook the Leica CL! Ive used one for 30+ years along side my M models and love it. You can get a body in good condition with working meter for around $500, and add a Voigtlander 40 1.4 lens cheaper than getting a used 40 Summicron. It's the camera Leica intended to get people into the Leica system at a lower price, and it's still a good choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted June 21, 2012 Decided on to get the IIIF I was looking at. I wear glasses so I decided it wasn't for me plus it was pretty rough (rated ugly). Another thing I'm thinking about is do I really want to invest in a film workflow. I'm running some XP2 through my Nikon F2. I like film but I need to decide for me if it is an occasional fascination or my preferred choice for 'serious' photography. (And yes I've read the back and forth on digital versus film in a dozen threads or so) I've done a lot of research on film Leica, guess I need to go do some research on the M8 and M9 while I save up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted June 21, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 21, 2012 To the original poster, concerning his questions about the M3 - I would like to offer the following. Regarding the M3, I happened to stumble across a feature article in the 2/97 issue of LFI on Louis Stettner and his photography. Messr. Stettner declared the M3 to be "the Stradivarius of all cameras" (pg. 17). Moral of the story - you could do a lot worse than an M3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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