Using an M3

[marke]

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It's OK, my other one has plenty, that is why I need a dark horse...

 

I'm in love.

 

Don't tell my BP MP.

[budrichard]

Yes... But No.

Is a fat woman as good as a skinny woman? An organ is an organ you say?

 

Sensory stimulation is a must. I shoot very differently with a M7 Versus a M4P. I simply see things differently.

Also, I started to shoot much better pictures with my M8 once I changed the original covering to Griptac. It just felt better, made me feel better, made the pics better. It probably sounds crazy to you but to me, it isn't. Just like a car Clutch, just like shoes, just like a favorite pair of underwear. No, a fat woman isn't the same as a physically fit woman. My performance is extremely affected by the woman in question.

 

Not a very good analogy and could be considered offensive to some.

 

Your Griptac analogy is purely subjective.

 

I would conclude that the auto shutter of the M7 and the ability to use the Motor M or Leicavit M with the M7 far over shadows the viewfinder and any other sensory abilities of the M3. My M3 kit never gets used anymore.-Dick

[NB23]

Not a very good analogy and could be considered offensive to some.

 

Your Griptac analogy is purely subjective.

 

I would conclude that the auto shutter of the M7 and the ability to use the Motor M or Leicavit M with the M7 far over shadows the viewfinder and any other sensory abilities of the M3. My M3 kit never gets used anymore.-Dick

 

 

Well, everything is subjective. Your views on the subject are subjective too. And your thoughts on people being offensed is subjective. I can't please the whole world, sorry :-)

[Michael Hiles]

Your Griptac analogy is purely subjective.

 

I would conclude that the auto shutter of the M7 and the ability to use the Motor M or Leicavit M with the M7 far over shadows the viewfinder and any other sensory abilities of the M3. My M3 kit never gets used anymore.-Dick

 

Mostly subjective - seems to me. As some great person said, different strokes... Or double strokes, single strokes. Everyone has his/her buzz point. Leicavits and motors mean nothing to me because I do not make pictures where this is an advantage, similarly the auto shutter - but clearly Dick does, thus the different emphasis.

 

And lucky for Leica that there are different needs and opinions. It is good for business.

[phovsho]

Well I won the M3 on our local auction site - an m3 ss silver with serial number 1M+ - which I understand means it has some collectors value. However, I plan to use it with my 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 and perhaps look at getting a 90. Condition is near mint, with clean and bright view finder. Cost was USD1,650. Hope that isn't crazy, but it looks really nice.

 

I pick it up Friday on the way to the airport - a trip to Hanoi will be its first call of duty.

 

Thanks to all you guys for giving me the necessary push.

[Vieri]

Well I won the M3 on our local auction site - an m3 ss silver with serial number 1M+ - which I understand means it has some collectors value. However, I plan to use it with my 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 and perhaps look at getting a 90. Condition is near mint, with clean and bright view finder. Cost was USD1,650. Hope that isn't crazy, but it looks really nice.

 

I pick it up Friday on the way to the airport - a trip to Hanoi will be its first call of duty.

 

Thanks to all you guys for giving me the necessary push.

 

Congrats for the purchase! as far as its collector's value don't held your hopes too high - they are quite common. A fantastic camera to use, which is what camera (should be) made for anyway, so enjoy it on your trip to Hanoi!

[phovsho]

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Howdy

Thanks.

 

Re did the math - it cost me USD1,125. I bought it to use. Not interested in the collectors value. Plan is to keep it and use it! Very excited.

 

M

[leitz_not_leica]

Two things I didn't like with my M3:

 

Rounded corner frame line.

 

No 35 frame lines.

[harrisfoto]

I have been shooting with an M3, 50mm 1.4, for at least the last 2 years.

I still think that it is one of the best cameras that I have used over the last 40+ years of shooting.

One "advantage" of not having an internal meter is that all of the exposure settings are made before you bring the camera up to your eye. You can also pre-focus, using the distance scale. This seems to result in less posed shots, and more candid street scenes. Subjects don't have as much time to react.

The Voightlander VC Meter II, works great and can be used on or off camera. At first I thought that exposure would be an issue, but I find that it rarely is off enough to ruin a shot.

If you block out the window that gives the framelines, you get an approximate 35mm frame -- or just shoot outside of the 50mm.

You really only need an a smaller magnification view finder for the 28mm and below.

The lower cost of the M3 gives you added funds for repairs, and there excellent repair services available -- Don, Sherry, and Leica in NJ.

While the newer models are tempting, I try to spend more money on lenses than on the camera body. Sometimes an relatively less expensive lens will do the job, so one does not carry so much value on the street.

I have found that the frameline lever is not an accessory that I use on the camera, and sometimes those earlier models without the frameline levers are slightly lower in cost.

Enjoy!