Buying a M6 or Update a M3?

[Dikaiosune01]

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I am having a major conflict of conscious; to the point where my brain and my heart cannot reach an agreement. I’ve been using my M3 for almost 3 years now. Never skipped a beat. It is getting to the point where it will need a CLA. And I’m thinking what else I would like to do to it… this is my kind of M3 wish list:

- Black paint, black film counter

- Flash socket (hot shoe if possible)

- Fix one dent on the base plate

- 0.72 viewfinder

I’m a little on the fence about the viewfinder, because I’m so use to the 0.92 viewfinder on the M3 – but it is the only leica viewfinder I have had experience with. I’m considering the viewfinder replacement because I’ve begun to grow accustomed to using a 28m lens and the framelines (even though I might not be able to see it 100% of the time) would be helpful. Another reason is that I’m hoping to get a M240 as a digital workhorse. The similarity of the 240 and the 0.72 might be nice; and I hope that the differences won’t be too weird.

I like the black paint for aesthetics. The flash socket needs to be functional when I do studio work. I’ve tried the little adapter on the back of the M3, but it doesn’t fire reliability. I end up losing one out of three or four shots. That’s a lot of wasted frames.

I’m so torn is because of how much I’ve grown accustomed to my M3. I don’t like the idea of tossing it aside for a few extra features. It feels like that first car you bought in the 80’s, despite the new gagets, and gps etc, I’m still partial to my M3. I would like to believe I would past any blind test if I needed to pick my M3 out of a flock of M3’s.

Despite my feelings, it seems more practical and probably economically feasible to just purchase a M6 or even a MP.

So I’m turning to the community. Can you recommend anyone who does these type of customization? There was one I’m looking particularly at based in Japan; which might be preferable because I am base in Asia and travel there occasionally. Am I an idiot for suggesting such a ridiculous customization?

 

dikaiosune01.wordpress.com

[Day]

I think there is no much difference in upgrading the M3 and buying a M6.

Ull get a good M6 for about 1000$. When you sell your M3 you get about 400-500$,

The cost of upgrades are easily 400$+.

 

The viewfinder of the M3 is the best of the whole camera. If you replace it,

its no M3 - its an M4. The M4 is a M6 without a meter.

 

Just sell your M3 and get a black M6 - its the same I did and it was a good desicion.

[Guest]

... it seems more practical and probably economically feasible to just purchase a M6 or even a MP...

 

This is your answer you have given yourself.

If Leica would rebuild the viewfinder to 0.72, one can check in Solms, also retrofitting an instant flash connection via hotshoe.

But that would be very expensive and economically questionable.

There are some repainting specialists with very long waiting times.

Conclusion: Just leave the M3 in its original condition and buy a used M6 or even a new MP 'a la carte' according to your wishes.

 

How to (re) paint an M2 ? - Photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum

CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND - +44 (0) 7790 627778 SMS or tel.

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[philipus]

How much are you willing to spend?

 

There are a few alternatives to the MP and repainting and modding an M3.

 

The M6TTL Black Paint, aka Millennium, is great. I have one and am very pleased with it. It has the M3 film advance and rewind, black disk, 0.72 and you get the TTL functionality which you might need. The only thing it doesn't have on your list is a black hot shoe.

 

Modding an M3 will cost quite a bit methinks. I checked with Leica CS how much it would cost to put a 0.85x finder in my TTL and the costs is roughly £800 (incl VAT). I don't now how much a paint job would be but I have read in various fora that some have been pretty unhappy with how resistant to wear the paint is. Others, naturally, have been very happy so ymmv. Then you have to add the costs of the CLA.

 

The Millenniums are usually less than half price of the à la carte MPs (and there are dealers in Japan like MAP Camera which usually have one or two in stock). I've seen a few here in Europe too. Just something to consider.

 

Cheers

Philip

[albireo_double]

The 0.91x viewfinder is the best thing about the M3 and the only reason I am still considering buying one, in favour of all the subsequent models. I wouldn't spoil an good M3 by changing the VF; I'd rather sell it and buy an M6. In fact, I'd probably prefer to have an M6 with the M3 viewfinder....; will probably end up with an MP, with the 0.85x VF, as a compromise.

[Guest]

...

 

Can Leica omit at the MP à la carte still not needed viewfinder frames for a better M3 feeling?

Unfortunately the Leica MP configurator does not work any longer on my computer.

[earleygallery]

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this is my kind of M3 wish list:

- Black paint, black film counter

- Flash socket (hot shoe if possible)

- Fix one dent on the base plate

- 0.72 viewfinder

 

 

Do all that lot and you won't be too far off the price of a new MP!

 

If you're attached to your M3 then keep it and just buy a s/h M6 in black.

[tobey bilek]

Sync contacts in the M3 can be replaced with M4 type. Mine were all changed out

 

M2,3, & 4 have the best frame lines of any camera, 3 the best 90 mm for portraits.

 

3 are getting really old and have age related issues, RF parts separating, pinholes in shutter, worn transport gears. A real overhaul making it suitable for pro use is not cheap.

 

The M6 while not as nice a camera and having its own faults would be the better choice.

 

BTW the paints wears fast and you may or may mot like brass showing. In fact is there brass under the top paint or is it zinc in which case the grey/silver looks awful ? Do not know answer.

[semi-ambivalent]

Can Leica omit at the MP à la carte still not needed viewfinder frames for a better M3 feeling?

Unfortunately the Leica MP configurator does not work any longer on my computer.

 

The configurator has a couple sets of frameline sets for each VF magnification available. They all monkey with the 'full' frameline selection but it's not like you can pick and choose exactly the one(s) you want. I was able to get rid of the 75 but not the 135 (or was it vice versa) but the result was good enough. The information I got from two different Leica sources was not identical so it might behoove you to email them and/or your favorite Leica dealer to get the current reality. Sometimes the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

 

s-a

[otto.f]

You've got an intense feeling with your M3, that's quite clear.

So *just* buying an M6 may not exactly be a satisfying alternative. Leica cameras are handmade and every single copy has its own unique feeling, although sometimes the differences are small. M's from that era differ for instance in the way the shutter sounds, one has more bass, another has more treble. Give yourself some time to encounter *your* M6.

Rebuilding an M3 to a 0.72 would not be my choice either, leave it as it is.

[CalArts 99]

Can Leica omit at the MP à la carte still not needed viewfinder frames for a better M3 feeling?

Unfortunately the Leica MP configurator does not work any longer on my computer.

 

The configurator has a couple sets of frameline sets for each VF magnification available. They all monkey with the 'full' frameline selection but it's not like you can pick and choose exactly the one(s) you want. I was able to get rid of the 75 but not the 135 (or was it vice versa) but the result was good enough.

 

fwiw, you can always have the frame lines you don't want and/or don't use masked out for less clutter. DAG charged me 30.00 USD to mask out all the frame lines in my M6 except for the 28, 35, and 50. In my M4 he masked everything out except the 35 and 50.

[Sandokan]

Go with whatever your heart says and ignore the head. Otherwise you will regret it and have to revert.

[cbretteville]

Go with whatever your heart says and ignore the head. Otherwise you will regret it and have to revert.

 

Wise advise!