Leica M3

[Guest]

David,

With regard to light metering...
Try to get a Leica Meter MR (late vintage).
It connects to the M3 via the flash holder and sets onto the shutter speed dial.
It becomes one with the camera. (a little Zen humor.)
Since it is firmly attached to the camera, there’s no chance of losing it or forgetting it.
At first it may seem a wee awkward to use, but after a while it becomes second nature.
My backup meter is still an old, but reliable Gossen Luna Pro. It’s a tad large, but I’ve found it to be extremely accurate for my needs and the way I photograph. The Leica Meter MR that I had gave me the same readings.

Still have my M6 (classic) which I definitely won’t get rid of because it allows me to use the 35mm lenses without the binoculars, and also because it has built in metering. Both features which were lacking on the M3, and the reasons I traded in the M3.
I do miss the M3’s feel and especially its finder, which the M6 doesn’t come close to.
Personally I wish I had kept the M3 with the Leica Meter MR.

Have fun with your photography

 

[Guest]

Hey David;

I sent you a PM in reply, but I'll repeat a bit here.

I have the DOF on my M3 as well, but as with the comments above, they're not really useful. Much more handy (esp. with the wide angle lenses) are the DOF scales on the Leica lenses. Now those I use frequently for pre-focusing when doing street photography.

Keep your selenium meter as a backup.

My personal favourite meter is the Minolta Autometer V F. Reasonably priced (the Flashmeter is awesome but overkill & expensive), the incident reading is a great way to get a decent meter reading fast. I sometimes use the spot attachment on this meter as well.

I used to use a leica Meter MR. Handy, but once I got into the wide angles on an M3, I needed shoe-mounted finders. So it was good-bye MR meter.

Regards,
Marco

 

[Guest]

David

Marco makes a valid point about the DoF scales on the Leica lens barrel. They are, I think a much under utilised resource. Personlly I'd be totally lost without them.

Another point about the fit on Leica meters is that they are also quite usable off camera as well. On camera, they integrate with the body perfectly, and are an excellent aid for pre metering before you put the camera to your eye.

I'm rather fond of my 35mm con with goggles. The system is not perfect but works well in most situations. The additional optics fitted to the old 135mm 2.8 were horrible in comparison.

craig

 

[Guest]

> Keep your selenium meter as a backup. > > My personal favourite meter is the Minolta Autometer V F. > Reasonably > priced (the Flashmeter is awesome but overkill & expensive), > the > incident I > sometimes use the spot attachment on this meter as well. =================================================================

I will suggest trying to find a used Minolta Flashmeter II. They are very reliable and simple to use for both flash and available light. If you can find one at an attractive price it should serve you well.

 

[Guest]

Has anyone experienced static electricity marks on film made by the glass pressure plate of the early M3 ?

 

[Guest]

Thanks to everyone from around the globe for speedy and informative replies. I'll try to reply personally when I get a spare moment. Happy shooting!

 

[Craig24]

Joseph

I was just being cheeky about the M6 upgrade to an M3, but I suppose that there are more than a few on list that might indorse such a sentiment. After all it is only responsible to educate those who do not yet understand.

But you give me bad ideas of tarting up my beloved M3 workhorse, personally I don’t know about the black finish thing though.

Regards craig

 

[jlow]

> [Hi Craig

My M3 was beat and the winder head needed to be changed. As for black painting - there are only a few expert craftsmen that can do the job and only if there is sufficient demand each time. Mine was accepted as there was a vacancy. I understand the process is laborious - includes cleaning, chemical cleaning, surface preparation, painting, baking ( to settle the paint) then replacement of damaged and worn parts, calibration etc etc So what went out as a beaten piece - returned with all its original functions humming and with a new coat of paint to wit! You should try it.

Best regards

Joseph Low

 

[bobman]

Hi, anyone had tried M3 with 90/F4 lens?

 

[fly49]

Yes. Use both rigid Elmar 90/4 and collapsible Elmar 90/4 with terrific results. Prefer collpsible for convenience as it will fit in regular carrying case.