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M3 Just arrived


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Using this with a summitar lens and the leicameter mr. the jury is out for me.

 

I know everyone else thinks this camera is wonderful. I am just used to my iiif perhaps.

 

Focusing is much better on the M3 though. And there are many other advantages too. I just like the feel of the iiif.

 

I thought that  the light meter may have been out but it was a rotten day and very overcast having said that.

 

A test run really. No art. Just testing functionality.

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My first Leica was the lllf and after a while I also bought an M3, but like you I found I preferred the handling of the lllf. I didn't get on with the M3 and sold it on.

 

I later tried an M2 and really like it. Odd. My advice to you is ditch the Leica meter and use a handheld meter or sunny 16. I found the handling better without the meter.

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Very nice photos, Richard. My favourite film M is the M3, but they are all good. I am inclined to agree with James about the Leica meter unless you really like using it. Mine usually sits on top of an M2 which I use occasionally. My favourite user LTM is a IIf Red Dial with a 1/1000th max shutter speed. I like using LTMs because of their small size, but because I have eye issues I really like the M3 viewfinder in preference to that on any other Leica. 

 

William

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Thanks for the advice etc. I am not sure it is the camera for me but recognise that most people adore it. I will persevere but I just love the feel of the iiif. First love perhaps?

 

I so much prefer winding the film on the iiif.  Using the film advance lever on the M3 makes me feel like a 1960s spiv "adult glamour" photographer.

 

I also love the feel and the clunk of my 1A. Walking about with that with the fison and fodis on draws some stares.

 

The M3 was from Red Dot (guarantee/serviced etc) I think it will probably be very useful for quick focus people shots as well as zone focusing. Richard

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Hello Richard,

 

An M3 is a relentlessly right handed camera to operate. Altho you can use it with either eye.

 

If you put your left hand under the lens.

 

And hold the right side of the camera with your right hand so that:

Your thumb is operating the advance lever:

In either little by little increments or in a broad sweep:

 

And your index finger is on the shutter release:

You may well find that pin point focusing with the .91X range/viewfinder is not that hard.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

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I generally dislike the LTM viewfinders. The rangefinders are fine - just the tiny viewfinders. On a Model II (now stolen) i I used the Leitz external 50mm viewfinder which made all the difference.

 

But most of my pictures are done with an M2, and perhaps 20% with a lovely M3 (viewfinder like new).

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I have been out with the M3 with an Elmar 9cm F4. I haven't developed yet but definitely found the focusing much easier and quicker than with the iiif. I used my Kenko light meter. It was a stop different from my on board MR. I was using the spot meter attachment which probably explains that given the dynamic range in some of the shots I was attempting. I think generally the MR meter will be fine as long as the scene isn't too "contrasty" 

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I used a Leicameter MR for many years. I found that the trick was o point it at a part of the scene that was roughly “average”. It worked quite well. What was nice was that the field the meter sees is the same as a 90mm lens, so aiming with the camera and the frame selector was very convenient. The meter annoyingly scuffed up the cameras top plate.

 

I have since moved on to (usually) experienced guesses that are very reliable, or (rarely) a spot meter. 
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