M3 as second body

Is M3 the best second body to M6 TTL? I was offered a M3 with S/N over 1mm at $1100 in good condition rated 9-10. I would like to get

a second backup body. Should I proceed with this deal??

Do you care if there is no built-in meter? If not, the M3 is a great

camera....

<p>

I don't know how good the deal is, though. Sounds a little steep to

me. Has the thing been CLA'd recently?

If the camera truly is a 9+ and a high serial number, $1,100 doesn't

appear too steep to me. Of course that assumes it works perfectly.

<p>

I know I'd never sell my M3 for that price.

The M3 is a good choice of a second body if the 90mm and 135mm lenses

are important. Exposure readings can be transferred from your M6; or

just use a good hand-held meter. $1100 sounds too much. I wouldn't

go over $800 to $900. Shop around--the deals are out there if you're

patient. I just picked up a very decent M3 for $475.00.

My M6 needed a CLA so I bought a 'beater' M3 to use while the M6 was

being serviced.

I'm not sure if I'll ever use the 50mm lens on the M6 again. The view

finder on the M3 will ruin you. Go for the M3.

One thing you should be aware of Tim is that the M6 TTL's shutter

speed dial turns the "wrong" way with respect to previous incarnations

of the M series. Although the M3 does not have a light meter this can

still be bothersome at times if your working quick and are use to a

standardized way of doing things with the M kit. Another thing to

consider is that the film loading system of the M3 is "pre-M4"... that

is to say it has a removable loading spool and is quite a bit slower

to load.

<p>

These points are only a concern if your working very quickly with your

kit... otherwise, if your taking pictures at a more leisurely pace the

M3 might be a good addition.... certainly, the feeling of QUALITY is

there!

<p>

Regards,

Recognize also that you won't be able to use any lens shorter than

50mm on the M3 without an accessory finder or a special version with

clumsy "goggles". There is no doubt that the M3 was a landmark

camera and remains a favorite of many users. But since the question

was what's the *best* second body to an M6TTL, my answer is "another

M6TTL", for all the reasons John has stated, plus the fact that it

has a meter, and plus the fact that for not that much more money you

get a brand-new camera with a full warranty.

As Jay says switching to another M6 from your TTL would be the

perfect ideal but if you prefer a cheaper option why not an M4-2 or

M4-P. A good user camera should be available for around $500 -

$600. Like me, many of the users here prefer them to the M6's.

<p>

The M3 would be a perfect third body! Or an M2 - IMO the best camera

Leica ever made.

For some interesting and important attitutes -- for which I myself am

still very thankful -- concerning your question, see my question "What

is your favourite body alongside an M6?"

<BR><U><FONT COLOR="#3366FF"><A

HREF="http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006

qhd">http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006q

hd</A></FONT></U>