johnastovall Posted May 17, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm wanting to start back shooting film (process and scan my own) and have been thinking about getting an M3 but a friend who shot Leica for many years professionally suggested the M4. I want a completely mechanical camera. I've got Canon 5D's and an Epson R-D1 for digital. I've looked at the M8 and found it lacking. But I want to get back to shooting a Leica body, Lenses and Tri-X. The M3 or the M4? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 17, 2007 Posted May 17, 2007 Hi johnastovall, Take a look here Which Classic M for the Leica feel.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted May 17, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 17, 2007 At the risk of making things a little harder for you, how about an M2? uncluttered 35-50-90 framelines and a classic "feel". Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted May 17, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 17, 2007 Another vote for the M2. The later ones have easier film loading without the take-out spool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted May 18, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 18, 2007 I have a 3 and a 4. If you shoot a 50 (like I do) the M3 is the only game in town. I actually prefer the film loading of the 3 to the 4. I suppose that makes me weird, but there it is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted May 18, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 18, 2007 I had a few M3's, I still use one, and it is my choice over the M2. With the M3 you can use a 35mm lens without using a external, add on, viewfinder. You just have to get your eye close to the viewfinder and peek around the 50mm frame lines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddawn Posted May 18, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 18, 2007 I'm wanting to start back shooting film (process and scan my own) and have been thinking about getting an M3 but a friend who shot Leica for many years professionally suggested the M4. I want a completely mechanical camera. I've got Canon 5D's and an Epson R-D1 for digital. I've looked at the M8 and found it lacking. But I want to get back to shooting a Leica body, Lenses and Tri-X. The M3 or the M4? Hi John, this is really easy - if you're a 50mm person, definitely the M3; if you even need the 35mm, then you have to pick the M4 for its 35mm framelines. Both can definitely give you the classic Leica feel. The M4 is the last of the great Ms before the doomed M5 and the cheaper built M4Ps and M4-2 but the M3 just have that bit more cultish feel to it, and it has that wonderful 0.91x viewfinder which makes using the 50mm so pleasant. So, there you go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted May 18, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 18, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) M3 with a Wetzlar 35mm external viewfinder. Baaad!!! M3, Cron 35 asph, -Ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 18, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 18, 2007 I would suggest M4 by usefulness, M3 if you like to have something a little more stylish : the gentle framing of the VF/RF window is delicious; personally, I like to use 135s, so do not advice M2: external RF are not so bad, but of course is easier not to have them; and, if you are not so intrigued with superclassics, do not forget that M4P has also the 28mm frame, a focal that, depending on your attitude, can be very useful: it is an "all-mech" body and I do not know if the mood that M4P is "less well-built" than M4 has some real and specific foundation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 18, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 18, 2007 Any film M will give you the 'classic Leica feel' IMO - they are all basically the same camera after all (I know others will disagree). I'd advise an M2 if you want the 35mm framelines or the M3 if not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted May 18, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 18, 2007 I know you are looking at something earlier, but I myself wanted to do the same, although as a film backup to my M8, and I ended up with an M6 classic. This is the first body with a built-in exposure meter (other than the M5), which was the deciding factor for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted May 18, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 18, 2007 I would agree - M4 if you are a wide angle person rather, M3 if you prefer narrower angles. There was a Summaron 2,8/35mm lens for the M3 having spectacles, however it makes the lens clumsy and will darken the view-finder - there is an image of this combination at the end of this french page: LEICA M3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letsrock Posted May 18, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 18, 2007 In Hong Kong (even Asia), the common beleive is M3>M6 Classic>MP. Suprised to see the popularity of M2 here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flavio Posted May 18, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 18, 2007 Wonderful thread. I use an M4 with 50 cron and f:3.4 Super Angulon. A Weston Master V as a lightmeter, so battery free at all. It is a real pleasure shooting in such a slow way, trying to realize all around at my best. But...I am also looking for a special early 1955 M3 camera to use with the cron. I like M so much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted May 18, 2007 Share #14 Posted May 18, 2007 I'm wanting to start back shooting film (process and scan my own) and have been thinking about getting an M3 but a friend who shot Leica for many years professionally suggested the M4. I want a completely mechanical camera. I've got Canon 5D's and an Epson R-D1 for digital. I've looked at the M8 and found it lacking. But I want to get back to shooting a Leica body, Lenses and Tri-X. The M3 or the M4? Do you wear spectacles? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted May 18, 2007 Share #15 Posted May 18, 2007 This comes pretty close to how my 41 yr old M3 feels (LHSA MP3 - seperate framelines for 35,50 and 90) It is my go to machine now. 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/24437-which-classic-m-for-the-leica-feel/?do=findComment&comment=258828'>More sharing options...
Lucklik Posted May 18, 2007 Share #16 Posted May 18, 2007 M3 with a Wetzlar 35mm external viewfinder. Baaad!!! M3, Cron 35 asph, -Ron Is that the fingerprint of the 35 cron at the left of the picture? LOL Luc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted May 18, 2007 Share #17 Posted May 18, 2007 Is that the fingerprint of the 35 cron at the left of the picture?LOL Luc I noticed that too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted May 19, 2007 Share #18 Posted May 19, 2007 Is that the fingerprint of the 35 cron at the left of the picture?LOL Luc That work as a ©. You don't have the same print then absolutely it's not yours. -Ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share #19 Posted May 19, 2007 Do you wear spectacles? Yes, I wear spectacles... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilihead Posted May 19, 2007 Share #20 Posted May 19, 2007 Get an M4 with - drum roll please - Leica's 1.25 add-on viewfinder- that way, when using a 50 you get the M3 finder, and when using your 35, remove it and you have the .72 finder!!! The best of both worlds!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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