Leica IIIf, Leica M3, or Bessa-R2?

[russell_brooks]

You'll end up with the 50mm f3.5 Elmar once you see how big the 'cron is. My Elmar on a III body fits in my jeans back or front pocket.

[jorge]

Instead of the M3 find a M2. Frames are much more useable with the 35 included (who shots a 135 with a rangefinder anyway?). Prices are more accessible too. A few days ago there was a nice one for sale <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008rq4">here</a> and apparently got no takers. The asked price of $700 should leave enough for a superb <a href="http://www.imx.nl/photosite/japan/voigtl01.html">Voigtlaender Nokton</a>.

[robert_cameron]

i have both the bessa r3a aand the leica iiif. When you hold both cameras trust me you will want to continue to hold the iiif. The reason? solid construction and smaller than the voigtlander. This camera was made over 50 years ago and is still going strong. A service and rangefinder repair cost me ?98 and the camera is good for a further 30 years. Where the hell else do you get this from a camera manufacturer? This kit is tremendous and i dare you to try and estimate your exposures. What a buzz if you get it right! This camera will make you think about your pictures and you will waste less film on snap shots. Join the revolution brother, down with the digital photoshop dudes. Take a photograph, don't try to make one on the computer.