Leica m3 mount and lenses

[benedict297]

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Hi, I understand that the M3 has a bayonet mount. Can I confirm that this is the same mount that is on the current digital Ms? I have an M-E and am thinking about getting a film M. Ideally I would like to get an MP sometime in the future but that will probably have to wait so I'm considering a used M3.

 

Would like to know if the M3 will go with all of

The current leica lenses ? Also is there any issues with using newer leica glass with older cameras? I've used nikon cameras before and there was also some issues with using newer lenses with older cameras and vice versa so would just like to know.

 

Thanks

[M9reno]

The M3 will indeed work with all current Leica M lenses. The only issue to bear in mind is that the M3 viewfinder (magnification .91x) does not show frame lines for any lens wider than 50mm, so if using, e.g., a 35mm lens, you would attach the respective external viewfinder to the accessory shoe. But this is a consideration of the frame lines only - all lenses will work regardless.

[bill]

You're better off with an M2.

 

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[Stealth3kpl]

An M3 is good if you only use a 50mm but if you like 35mm go for an M2. There's really no need to get an MP unless you want an in-built meter, or like the black paint finish, or quick load system ( I prefer the old type of film load system).

Pete

[benedict297]

Thanks. When you say it will work can I just confirm that one does not need any special adapters to use the newer lenses?

 

Thank you

[250swb]

You do not need any special adapters for current lenses on any of the M film camera bodies.

 

But as the others have pointed out, which actual model M film camera to get can depend on the lenses you want to use and how easy you want to make it for yourself. An M2 may be better than an M3, and something like an M4-P has the same number of frameline options as your M-E.

 

Steve

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Yes, indeed. Leica was particularly proud that they succeeded in making a digital camera which can be used with nearly every lens which has ever been made for a Leica M type camera. Excerpt from the brochure for the M9: "All Leica M lenses of 21–135 mm focal length produced since the year 1954 can be used, even if lacking the 6-bit coding. "

 

However, there are some instances of the 35mm Summilux which will not work on the M-E. Also, using uncoded lenses may not be what you wish, even if it's technically perfectly possible.

[benedict297]

Thanks guys, for my info, what is the diff with anM screw mount? Read on wiki that Ms before the M3 have this type of mount?

[earleygallery]

LTM or Leica thread mount was used prior to the M3 being introduced with the then new M bayonet.

 

You can use thread mount lenses on M bodies with a simple adaptor, but you can't fit M lenses to an LTM body.

[bill]

There were no Ms before the M3.

 

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[gvaliquette]

Also consider an M4-2. Generally cheaper on the used market as it is seen as "a cheaper Canadian M", but fully functional and with frame lines from 35mm to 135mm.

 

Guy

[250swb]

To the OP as a newbie the early numbering may be confusing.

 

Before the M3 there were only screw mount bodies (LTM). The first 'M' which introduced a new bayonet mount, the M3, was originally named because it had three framelines in the viewfinder for a 50mm lens, 90mm, and 135mm. The next camera to be introduced was the M2, but also with three frames, for 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses. Then came an M1 with no rangefinder focusing and just frames for 35mm and 50mm. After the M1 and apart from scientific /microscope/copy cameras like the MD, the numbering reverted to a more or less sequential system, so M4, M5, M4-2, M4-P, M6, M7.

 

So, an M2 more closely approximates the sort of lenses used today (unlike the M3) if you want an early body, an M4-P with six frames most closely approximates the framelines in your M-E viewfinder if you want a body without a meter, and the M7 most closely approximates to your M-E if you want a body with meter and auto exposure.

 

Steve

[nathanrupert]

Also be aware that the M3's rangefinder supposedly only focuses down to about 1 metre. But I imagine that varies from body to body somewhat. There are threads on how to adjust this yourself on the later M3 bodies, but i haven't done it myself (but am thinking about trying so I can buy a newer lens).

 

I doubt that the newer 0.7m lenses would focus that close on the M3 which would be frustrating.

 

Others on the forum may have some experience with this?

[benedict297]

Thanks, yes that's a good point. Can someone advise if this is possible? My M3 is arriving anytime soon... Excited!

[nathanrupert]

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/showthread.php?t=204262

 

Here's the thread on the issue. Best of luck!

 

 

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[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Benedict,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Some people think that the reason the first bayonet model Leitz Camera was called an M3 rather than M1 was that Leitz was following the nomenclature of the previous screw mount cameras which was:

 

I - Body with higher speeds but without rangefinder or slow speeds. Except Ig which had slow speeds

 

II - Body with high speeds as well as rangefinder & viewfinder. The rangefinder & viewfinder were viewed thru separate windows on screwmount cameras as opposed to being combined in 1 window in the M models. No slow speeds.

 

III - Body with high speeds as well as rangefinder & viewfinder (please see just above). Also has slow speeds.

 

Examples would be:

 

Leica III which was the first Leica to have rangefinder, viewfinder, fast speeds (limited to 1/500th sec) & slow speeds.

 

Leica IIg which has rangefinder, viewfinder & fast speeds. NO slow speeds. Approximately 12 - 15 manufactured. 1 Illustrated in a Leitz brochure. At least 1 sold to a customer.

 

The sucessors to the screw mount cameras, the "M" cameras, were numbered reflective of features that they did or did not include:

 

M3 - Similar to III above. With bayonet mount. Range/viewfinder combined in 1 window. Fast & slow shutter speed combined on 1 dial.

 

M2 - A less expensive version of the original M3. The M2's approximately 1/3d lower selling price when the M3 & M2 were contemporaries was primarily because of the much lower cost of the M2's range/viewfinder. Leitz also cut costs somewhat with economies such as removing the frames around the front windows of the M3. These frames had been put there to lessen inadvertant touching of the front windows.

 

M1 - More in line with the screw mount nomenclature above except that the slow & fast speeds had been combined in 1 control wheel & therefore the M1 also has slow shutter speeds. The M1 has a viewfinder but no rangefinder.

 

M4 - A higher number than M3 because it adds new features to the M3 such as faster film loading, faster film rewind & more universally compatable flash connections to a body that is a combination of many of the aspects of the M3 & M2.

 

M5 - Many of the attributes of the M4 with an additional behind the lens meter & hot shoe.

 

The list continues. Some subsequent models take away feature such as the M4-2. Some models add features such as the M6. Leitz/Leica nomenclature can sometimes be complex.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[benedict297]

Right, the big boy has arrived. Quick question.. Is one able to change lenses on the camera whilst still having the film in it?

 

Thanks

[normclarke]

Yes, good luck with your new aquisition.

 

Best,

 

nornclarke

[nathanrupert]

How is the close focus on the modern lenses? Success!?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[benedict297]

How is the close focus on the modern lenses? Success!?

 

Haven't got around to testing that, hopefully on the weekend!