M2 Vs M3 with a 40mm lens

[james_cooke]

Was considering getting one of these classic M's but wanted to use it

with a 40mm lens. Which would be more suited. I heard someone say

previously that the full frame of the M3 was about the same as 40mm

or go with the M2 and cut short using its 35mm framelines? Its hard

to decide as they come out even on other fronts. I have a nice Tele-

Elmar that I dont use as much as I would like with a CLE and external

135mm finder so an M3 would be nice here. On the other hand I have a

few 35mm lenses that I would like to use sometimes so the M2 would be

good too. They always come out even (frustrating!) so it comes down

to which frames the 40mm lens the easiest as this is the lens I like

to use most. Is one better value than the other? Thanks for your

thoughts.

[wgpinc]

Get an M6 TTL with the .85 finder. Newer, with a meter and it covers both lenses 40 and 135 very well. Just a few dollars more and you'll remember the quality long after you've forgotten the price. Good luck.

[frank_scheitrowsky1]

I just happen to have both an M2 and an M3 and have just recently traded for a 40mm M-Rokkor. Having tried it on both cameras (though not both with film yet, right now it's on the M3) I think I am going to prefer it with the M2, using the 35mm framelines. The 50mm framelines always visible in an M3 are quite thick and interfere to some extent with seeing out to the edges of the viewfinder. I wear glasses so that may be a factor in my not seeing much past the 50mm framelines. The good news is that they are both excellent cameras, and it may be best to buy whichever you get the best deal on. Since you use both 35mm and 135mm lenses, an argument can be made for both cameras. I would guess though that you use the 35mm lenses more than the 135, so there is a nod towards the M2. Good luck!

 

You can see my M2 + 40 on a previous thread with pictures of Leica porn.

[paul t]

I had the <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=

00AnP9">same dilemma</a>. Ended up going for an M4, because it's quicker

to load - hurrah! THen ended up getting a Summi 35/2- booh! I do think either

is a compromise... in general, because the M6 framelines (and the M4-P?) are

smaller, they're less of a fudge, and I note Brian David Stephens has taken

many great shots with the m6/Summi C.

[les_lammers]

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00C8VV

 

 

 

Go there and you will get your answer.

[james_cooke]

Thanks for he answers so far. I am only considering between the M2 and M3 however, just want to try something different.

[peter_white2]

The 50mm frame limes in the M3 are excellent for a 50mm lens. You can hunt around the viewfinder with your eye to see outside the frame, but that's not what a rangefinder camera is all about. You want to look through the viewfinder, quickly frame your image, and click the shutter. There should be no ambiguity about what's in the frame and what's not. If you use the M2's 35mm frame lines, you'll sometimes end up with a bit more on the film than you guessed. But that's not quite so bad as missing something that you thought would be there.

 

The ideal solution would be to use either body and get an auxilliary 40mm finder. The Voigtlander should be terrific. My Voigtlander 28 finder is just that. If you'll never be getting a 35mm lens, I'd use the M3, since focusing will be a hair faster in general, and with longer lenses the M3 finder is clearly superior to the M2 finder.

 

Next best would be using the 35mm frame on the M2 and guessing what the 40mm lens will give you on film.

 

But I really don't think it's likely that you'll be happy trying to use the 40mm lens with the M3 finder alone.

[chalermpol_butpet]

I use my CV 40/1.4 Nokton on my M3 all the time. It's also much easier to focus the wider f stop lens with M3 viewfinder.

[rod g.]

(This may be redundant but perhaps woth saying?) You would do well to visit Stephen Gandy's 'cameraquest' site and reading up on what to look for when buying an M2 or M3. Beyond the issue of the best body for a 40mm lens there are age concerns that can significantly increase the cost between your buying and using one of these babies.

 

The M3 has a viewfinder (.92 I think) that shows an almost life size image (which makes it pretty easy to focus with both eyes open, one looking through the viewfinder) and is big enough to accomodate the small 135mm framelines but too large to accomodate 35mm ones. The viewfinder on the M2 is of a smaller magnification allowing for the opposing 35mm framelines lines but not 135mm. You can get dedicated, "goggled 35mm lenses for the M3 which convert the 50mm frame lines to 35mm and thus cover the range.

 

I don't know if that goes any way toward helping out. I have an M3 and would consider getting an M2 but would not trade it (uh uh, no way) for one. The M3 is a superb piece of equipment... as long as you make the effort to get one that doesn't exhibit serious mechanical age wear.

[peter_white2]

Duh, got it backwards.

 

If you use the M2's 35mm frame lines, you'll be guessing how much smaller the 40mm lens field of view is. That will slow you down, because you'll have to stop and think. If you use the M3's 50mm frame, you'll always get at least what you expect to get on the film, and probably a bit more. You can always crop.

 

The other part I got right in my head. ;-) I do think that using the M3 with an auxilliary finder would be the ideal choice, unless you may get a 35mm lens in the future.

[paul_neuthaler]

With a bow to Al, there's something about the M3 that no other M's have IMHO -- the handling, the big viewfinder, the tactility. I even love it with my goggled 35 Summaron 1:2.8.<div></div>

[stephen_w.]

More comments here:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00C8VV

[dan flanders]

Machts nicht aus! Even when you use the 135, the frameline area is so small it is hardly useable. I don't like aux finders but for 135 I make an exception.

[sk_szekiat]

some shameless advertising: I have a M2 for sale. Works great with my sumicronC filed

down to 35mm lines. I always frame it a bit more loosely when using the 35mm lines so its

fine. Don't do precision work with a M anyway!