M3 vs Titanium M6

[weeowee]

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Hi, so I have the chance to buy a nice M3 or a Titanium M6. Unfortunately I can’t afford both.

I was leaning towards the M6 because of the ability to shoot 35mm and also the light meter but I’m a bit worried about blisters because I have some friends that had some develop on their top plate. Although based on what I read, brass was used in the titanium colored M6 so that might not happen. Also, it is a bit cheaper. 

On the other hand, no practical reason at all but I love how the M3 looks. It is absolutely stunning. 

I am in no rush to decide and ultimately I know it will be up to me. But anyone who has both or can chime in with their opinion and experiences would be great too.

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[TomB_tx]

I've had an M6 since 1985 - still no blisters, etc. - and I love the meter: my favorite type of readout in the finder. I also have an M2, M3 in both DS and SS, M4 (since 1968) and M5. I consider them all to be equal quality - you can't go wrong with your choice. I don't use the M3s much, as I use 35mm a lot, and prefer the other finders. 

Many M3s will only focus to 1 meter, even if the lens will go to 0.7 meter, which may be a consideration.

I actually prefer the look of the M4 to the M3, but then the M4 was my first Leica.

[a.noctilux]

Same as Tom, my first Leica was M4, second hand so long ago.

When M6 came out I use M6 for decades long, they took thousands of photos more than my other Ms.

If for using 50mm (like the Noctilux for example), my choice is M3.

I know this would not help, but as I wrote so often, each M IS unique and choosing one IS very hard.

Take one knowing that others will come later 😉 naturally (if hooked of course ! ).

Arnaud

This combo is so nice (sold long ago)

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still have this M3

Edited October 3, 2020 by a.noctilux

[andrew01]

I have the M3 and the M6.  They are both awesome but if I had to pick just one it would be the M3.

The titanium version of the M6 doesn’t come up so often and I have seen them at silly prices.  If you can get one at a good price it might be good to start with this and get a nice M3 at a later date.  If it does indeed have a brass top plate that is a good reason to get the titanium version.  Not all zinc M6s have the corrosion problem, but they do look ugly when they wear.

[Tom R]

I won't even pretend to address questions of aesthetics or re-sale value as I assume that the OP actually intends to use the camera. Thus, I would ask the OP:

1. Do you intend using anything wider than 50mm (or, for that matter, a 75mm M-mount lens)?
2. Do you need/want a built-in light meter?
3. Do you need/want to use modern flash units?
4. Does your work flow/style require rapid re-loading of film?

If the answer to any one of these questions is "yes" then purchase the M6 (making the big assumption that it's "reasonably" priced).

Edited October 3, 2020 by Tom R

[weeowee]

Oddly enough, I can get the titanium M6 at a cheaper price compared to the M3. 

I don’t need rapid film reloading nor will I plan to use flash.

lens would probably be my 40mm f1.2 voigtlander to start with for now🙂. But I am planning to buy a 50mm. 

light meter- I think it would be convenient but not a must have. 🙂

 

[weeowee]

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As of the moment 

it’s head and wallet M6

heart M3 😂😂😂

[Steve Ricoh]

From what I’ve read the titanium finish to the M6 is superficial, it’s titanium on top of nickel plated zinc. All M6s have zinc top plates apart from the special edition Millennium edition (released around the turn of the century) and the M6J.

[BradS]

They’re the same price?!?  Seems like one must not be priced at current market value. 
 

Anyway, I’d take the M6 without hesitation. It has a built-in light meter, a hot shoe, a pc socket, and a full set of frame lines. To me, the M6 is the best. 
 

and incidentally, I have an M4-P with a few bubbles on the top...but they don’t show in the photos! 

[105012]

It of course depends on your personal preferences. For me the M3 is unsurpassed, it really is quite shocking to switch from the M3 viewfinder to a 0.72 viewfinder how much everything shrinks, it all looks like a miniature world to me! I can effortlessly obtain precise focus with my 135mm APO-Telyt (narrower depth of field than a Noctilux 0.95 at equal distances, as you can see from Leica's own DoF tables) on all three of my M3's.

I find the film loading system of the M3 totally reliable, I've never had a misload or even a doubt that the film is correctly loaded, something not true on my more recent Leica with 'rapid' film load system.

And I don't often like the look of wider than 50mm shots, again this is all personal preference.

So after trying and owning a number of M's, film and digital, there is only one that suits me: the M3. What will it be for you? I would say listen to the heart as it often knows best

[Mute-on]

1 hour ago, Steve Ricoh said:

From what I’ve read the titanium finish to the M6 is superficial, it’s titanium on top of nickel plated zinc. All M6s have zinc top plates apart from the special edition Millennium edition (released around the turn of the century) and the M6J.

Conclusion of this thread is that it is (almost certainly) brass

 

 

[weeowee]

Here in Asia, a nice mint M3 is more expensive than a mint M6.. I have no idea why🙂.  

[logan2z]

1 hour ago, 105012 said:

It of course depends on your personal preferences. For me the M3 is unsurpassed, it really is quite shocking to switch from the M3 viewfinder to a 0.72 viewfinder how much everything shrinks, it all looks like a miniature world to me! I can effortlessly obtain precise focus with my 135mm APO-Telyt (narrower depth of field than a Noctilux 0.95 at equal distances, as you can see from Leica's own DoF tables) on all three of my M3's.

I find the film loading system of the M3 totally reliable, I've never had a misload or even a doubt that the film is correctly loaded, something not true on my more recent Leica with 'rapid' film load system.

And I don't often like the look of wider than 50mm shots, again this is all personal preference.

So after trying and owning a number of M's, film and digital, there is only one that suits me: the M3. What will it be for you? I would say listen to the heart as it often knows best

I've got an M-A and an M4 and have been flirting with the idea of getting an M3 because - well, just because  I've been trying to convince myself that I really don't need it, but after reading your post I'm back to scouring the 'for sale' ads.  Thank you very much  

[Mute-on]

6 hours ago, Tom R said:

I won't even pretend to address questions of aesthetics or re-sale value as I assume that the OP actually intends to use the camera. Thus, I would ask the OP:

1. Do you intend using anything wider than 50mm (or, for that matter, a 75mm M-mount lens)?
2. Do you need/want a built-in light meter?
3. Do you need/want to use modern flash units?
4. Does your work flow/style require rapid re-loading of film?

If the answer to any one of these questions is "yes" then purchase the M6 (making the big assumption that it's "reasonably" priced).

This is a perfect summary of criteria. 

I would add the “rapid” film reloading is a relative concept in a Leica M.  

In an M4,6,7,P it is just slow, compared with any SLR or modern auto-wind compact camera. Haven’t tried an M5. 

In an M2 or 3 it is more of an ordeal requiring (ideally) a stable surface, patience and concentration. If you have the time and opportunity it’s actually a very relaxing and satisfying process. However, if you are travelling with wife and children and need to go, or just load film and get the damn shot, it’s a royal PITA!

 

[105012]

On film loading, I frequently reload films in my M3’s on foot, in action. I find it easy, quick and not requiring much thought or effort. I guess we just get faster with practice?

Also, it is easy to totally blitz the modern Leica film cameras film loading times if you have some spare spools already attached to film rolls ready to go! I don’t often bother though because it’s so easy and fast to thread the next roll into the spool... YMMV.

[Narsuitus]

When I was selecting my first Leica rangefinder, I did not even consider the M3 because I knew my first lens would be a 35mm. I considered the M2, M6, and MP. Of the three, I selected a titanium M6 because I stumbled upon one at a reasonable price. I have been very happy with my selection.

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Leica M6 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Edited October 4, 2020 by Narsuitus

[BradS]

3 hours ago, weeowee said:

Here in Asia, a nice mint M3 is more expensive than a mint M6.. I have no idea why🙂.  

 

That would make the decision very easy for me but I'm a user not a collector.

[Steve Ricoh]

6 hours ago, Mute-on said:

Conclusion of this thread is that it is (almost certainly) brass

 

 

Dream on...

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[250swb]

5 hours ago, Mute-on said:

Conclusion of this thread is that it is (almost certainly) brass

 

 

Except I have a friend who had a Titanium M6 and it had the typical bubbles under the surface that a standard M6 with a zinc top plate can get. Leica have been known to change production materials during a run and they are renowned for confusing and out of date specification sheets.

But the answer to the question is as a first Leica get the M6. Although the OP thinks the M3 looks stunning it's an unfortunate fact that an M2 looks even better so there is no excuse other than to go for the practical choice. Like a lot of things in life you can fondle something lovely in the first days but it's awful when you realise it's holding you back later. The very moment a beginner (to Leica) understands just how clunky an M3 gets as soon as they want to use wider lenses the love affair ends. The M3 was a leading rangefinder camera, it is now a luxury add-on for people for whom it doesn't have to be their primary camera. 

[weeowee]

Oh hold on, another thing I forgot to add. We have a lovely M2 for wider lenses. I think that’s why we were drooling over the M3 because we thought it would be a good partner for our M2. But the M6 sure is tempting... 😂.. For the meantime I am enjoying reading the pros and cons about both of them. Thank you by the way to everyone.