jason_gold1

I have a M3 purchased new in 1967.I prefer the larger image and

longer rangefinder base.Also my 135mm lens still works well 'cause

the larger viewfinder.I am now using my new M6.Quiter,smoother and

wow ! the built in meter which nearly always agrees with my own guess.

Go for M3 if lots cheaper.My shutter needed replacement.Quite afew

rolls thru it.Not burned !The drum and roller were worn out.

Guess about 4~5000 rolls thru it all over the world.The viewfinder

the Big difference.Try them out.I prefer the 50mm lens to anything

else.

Twenty six years ago,I purchased a Pentax 6x7 camera.I added lenses,tube,tele-extender,filters and enlarger BUT I never used it.....My M3 has been my friend and companion on my trips and assignments all over the world.The M3 is 33 years old and like me has that classic appearance,heavily weathered.Last Saturday,I did the right thing.I bought a M6.I traded the Pentax.I love the drop in loading,its wonderful after my M3.The meter is great.I just received a box of Ektachrome shot at sunset.My exposures on the button.I swear my old Summicron is sharper !I doubt I`d sell my M3,new shutter etc.Your model is different....if the film advance is worn,its big bucks for new one.I know the rangefinder goes white in certain light but I`ll live with it.I find the M6 faster and smoother and most important to me,less intrusive to my picture taking than my M3/2.

The point and shoots are not to be compared to an M-camera.

Theyre not Leicas.They may be nice.They may be sharp and have great colour.They are not meant for long term use.

I find it daunting that my M6 shall outlive me.My M3 has a head start on the M6.

I would do the trade.Get that sucker with the built in meter,drop in loading,hot shoe and rewind crank.See what simple folks Leica nuts are !!!!Most of these features I had on a Pentax MX,20yrs ago.

As the advertisement for a certain computer said and I repeat out of context,

"The M6 is one really "bad" camera.!!!"

You will love it.

I have just purchased a M6.I want to protect the body from scrathes,dings and misuse that my 33 year old M3 shows off so well.I intend to cover the body with black plastic tape.Which kind is best?I tried it on the M3/2 but all the tapes started to ooze stick stuff after awhile.It looked and felt tacky...The little handgrip is cool.It feels really nice to hold.Also gives centre hole for tripod.

Scroll down on this forum.There is article about DAH.

I also see no distortion of 28mm.I guess it mostly is 35.He does also make use of a 50mm and a SLR with long lens?.

It seems you are NOT enjoying your photography or your on permanent buying spree...Leica for me means less equipment not more!If I use SLR I usually carry 3~5 lenses.I very seldom rely on one.The M3 usually only the 50.Architecture may need PC-lens,available only in SLR.Do you in fact own other cameras?I have been a long time ago on that pursuit of the "Holy Grail" in a perfect camera combo.There is no such thing.Stop opening boxes and open your shutter and just work at taking photos.

Since the theft of my 35mm Summicron-RF(gogles) I have been forced to use the 50mmSummicron f2.0,mainly on M3.I love the perspective and feel of the 50mm.I can use it at maximum aperture for out of focus backgrounds and closed down for long depth of sharpmess.I have a large frame to compose in.If my main camera was M2/4/6 I think it would be the 35mm!Again its the biggest frame in finder.Also one could shoot at one speed less.Makes lens faster...as said earlier.The beauty of Leica is the lack of vibration and ability to shoot at slow speeds.I have hand held portrait candids at an 8th or 15th.About one in 5 is quite sharp.

A wonderful portait of a friend was done this way.

The 50mm Summicron is my suggestion.There is also very little chance of distortion unless one does portraits at 3feet and under.The photographers out there saying not true about distortion perspective with 35mm are wrong.Compare such photos with civilians.(non-photographers),You are in for BIG surprise.We accept and understand the feel of wide angles.I have collapsible lens.It makes camera and lens, easy to slip into large pocket.Bill Mitchell will tell you how big and clumsy the M-series are, compared to screw mount Leicas.The other alternative is the "Tri-Elmar".One has 28/35/50 in one lens.The only drawback is slower speed.If the point and shoot mob are happy with f10.5 lenses or slower,the f4.0 looks positively fast.There are fast films.I use 400 speed negative film for large prints.I`m about to test the 800 speed.

Wrong !

I appreciate all the messages.At least we all agree that Leicas and the people who make use of them are special.When I said I was dumber,it was relative.....I come from a totally different culture and country.What was expected of me at school and my own discovery of the world was way different from the American way.I do go to art galleries and exibits.I took my kids.My parents desired that I read books,esp the classics.The family had regular discussions and debates.My great luck in my knowledge was when a couple shared part of our large home.Alex was a Polish refugee who couldnt return to Poland after WW2 due to the Communist regime.He opened the door to photography and music and above all a sense and joy in different cultures and customs.I read many of the the great Russian novels,at Alex`s suggestion.This in spite of the Russian-German occupation of his home at the begining of WW2. I listened to music from many nations and cultures.I discovered some of the real artists of our time,not in fine art but working to order in commercial and graphic fields.I have done these pursuits all my life in my travels.My schooling was way different from that in the USA.Negative marking was done at examinations."A" students were exceedingly rare.In my matriculation,I received a distinction mark in Geography.A miracle !

Two such awards were given in the hundreds of thousands who wrote the public exam.Any student who had 6 Distinctions would be on the front page of all the main newspapers.

I had to study French,German and Dutch.I attended art classes and buisiness school.With all this I am still dumber than my parents....Technology is draining away our struggle in the pursuit of experience and knowledge.

A thing easily got is seldom appreciated.

I think its time to go develope some exposures done at a function last night.

Have you seen where painting/fine art has gone..?In 125 years.When art is the droppings of some animal and hung !!!

When a city buys a sculpture that portrays womans beauty and its really a Afgan hound.(Chicago)

It is not that its a different way to do something.Its because the system allows one to do manipulations.Sure thats creative...when everybody does same things.

To really see fine photographic prints is a wonder and joy.

The prefeser was rite abowt PC`s.Without spell check we cant even spell.Without calculators nobody can give correct change.

It seems every new developement to make our lives easier make us more stupid.I`m definitely dumber than my folks.

Thet were not as well read or self educated as my Grandfather.

Look at where painting went....Except for a very few painters,The Wyeth family,Rockwell etc the majority of modern art is a joke.Till now we felt safe.The "art" crowd is here like the devils and demons in Buffy.

Keep good heart and with your trusty Leica in your hand go forth on white Nikis and slew the dragons of non photographic ideals.

I notice another tend.Cartier-Bresson is being ignored in photo reference type books.Probably as most books are promotions of the large manufactures.Why praise somebody who used mostly a 50mm lens.He carried a back up body on long trips with the 35 and 90.Later he seemed to have dispensed with the 90mm.

Unless one carries a camera bag that equals your body weight with all the lenses,motor drives,flash guns and accessories and boxes of batteries you are not seen as a photographer.

Clients are asking if I do digital.

I dont.There is no greater fun than seeing a print come up in the developer.I cant wait to open my developing tank and look at my negatives still dripping fixer.Digital dont compare for me.

Sometimes we use a lens not for its outstanding sharpness and contrast.There is often a decided lack of these 2 important features.I once owned a 58mm Biotar on my 1st Pentax.That lens had flare wide open.Not the same type of flare as on my Nikons MF or my M3`s 50 Summicron.The latter is a early collapsible.The Biotar made these wonderful portraits esp if under exposed and overdeveloped.Also if stopped down and a light source in photo,would ALWAYS make star shapes.

I sold it quite soon because of the flare.Later looking at early prints and negatives I missed the sucker.It sounds like the Summarit might be similar.Since then I keep bad lenses.My Tamron 300 f5.6 is one of them.It focuses to macro range.It has definite color fringing and makes little halos on all light sources in photo.You cannot duplicate effect with filters Saw photos done by a photographer who only used pre-war (WW2) Leicas for "special" features in available light.Hans Pahlen ALSO uses early screw mounts....see his site.

Use the Summarit.See what happens.The results might be interesting.One thing about early lenses is due to lack of coating.Will not easily shoot thru glass windows .Big case of reflections !

I have seen the future and it does`nt work.

I hate to say this but digital is here and will probably overun us with mediocre results.Sure I see ads all the time from Sinar-Bron and many others.We dont have to join them.

It seems ludicrous that Large format still exists.It probably wouldnt if the large companies like Kodak had their way.The accountants and mba`s see no sense in providing material for such small numbers of users.The 35mm SLR brigade is also getting smaller.True "they" use large format to advertise the new wonder APS system.The luck is in Kodaks case they are loosing a fortune on digital and need every sale at this time.We will get film for quite a long time.It is still the most economical way to high quality.VHS was inferior to Beta which in turn was poor to the original Phillips video system.The original 16mm was literally light years ahead in quality of image and size of viewed image.

I love my old cameras.They feel like machines to work with me.I use Leica M3/2 and also old Nikon and Pentax cameras.I cut film from bulk and sometimes mix my own chemicals for black and white only.

I look at my color stuff,pro and personal.Its pretty !

I hold a print in black and white,I`m filled with joy and a job done.The wonderful news is that my clients want B/W photos also,of their weddings and family events.

Keep shooting ! Use your cameras.If we need to fit digital backs one day to our Leicas,it would be sad.The plus is they would still be in use.The rate of change in computers and digital is measured in hours.Most of us use a camera designed and built almost 50years ago....I have had better results under terrible conditions than the latest pro auto everything because of my Leica lenses and the way a M camera is part of me.

Received this imformation from Calumet.calumetphoto.com/photocafe

Scott Streble uses his M camera for weddings and certain journalistic photo needs.

www.scottstreble.com/ss/rangefinder.html

www.scottstreble.com/ss/index.html

Interesting.I use my M3 in similar fashion.Weddings,events and work for Cancer organisations.

Wow ! What is this ? Promoting trash on the Leica site.

Guys get real.This forum is about Leica.The most expensive 35mm camera made and sold in ever decreasing numbers.

Maybe those cameras have something I missed.I had a friend who compared a Halina to my M3....

The Halina was made in Hong Kong.Film advance based on early screwmount Leicas.It could peel the skin off your thumb faster than acid.It was a little stiff.The lens was remarkeable.It suffered every defect known and then some.

Have used a dork Zorki.Look at cost saving.Only print the sharp ones.None.It might get its mark as an "art" camera like the Holga and Diane so beloved by the photography is art crowd .Pinhole cameras is another thing entirely.They are fun yo use and inexpensive to make.

This forum is really for Leicas and quality cameras.The Voigtlander and Konica and Hasselblad/Fuji Rf should be discussed here.Early Canon and Nikon if pertinent to todays needs and requirements by photographers.

Great idea.We need more info about Photokina as we all need info about dork cameras like the Zorki,Fed,Holga.This is a Leica site.Real cameras,real photography,real quality.

I trained as a watchmaker besides my photography.Have repaired some cameras.The cameras mentioned above are the same lack of quality as Russian/Ukranian watches.Trash that topic.I like the idea of masters with Leicas,HCB,DAH etc.

Folks who attended their workshops.

I have used the Benser version which holds 2 lenses.On paper its great.Reality is different.It makes the Leica huge and ungainly.When you need to change film,the plate must first be removed.A small coin is reqd to turn the holding screw.The new Leica version is easier to remove but the fine balance of the camera is spoilt.Rather use the coupling adapter.I constructed a plate for my Pentax SLR and used extension rings to hold two lenses.Somehow it was better than the original Benser as I could remove and load film due to hinged back.I prefer a small bag and each lens protected.I still use ever-ready cases for one camera.I got used to it in Canada with the wet cold condition.I carried it under my coat,parka etc.Sadly its not my Leica.The new Leica camera cases are too big.The soft Benser bag is terrific.It fits most cameras and would be easy to construct.Its basically a pouch with holes for the strap and a zipper to close.When busy taking photos,the bag can be moved behind your neck.Great for poor weather.

That camera looks great 12 years old.Sadly its not my Leica....

FWIW Erwin Puts is Dutch.Calling him Herr would be a mistake and an insult.I find his views remarkeable.The tests of the Voigtlander/Cosina lenses very imformative.

Puts` stated that the V/C lenses often superior to Leica lenses one generation back.On that basis I can afford 2 Voigtlander lenses new,for one used not as good Leica lens.

Having used many Leica lenses ,not always owned,I agree with most of his statements.

I hope the competition will spur Leica to new designs....

Great piece,very interesting.Once did a fashion shoot for a Ladies Magazine.Used one Leica M-3 with 35mm Summicron and borrowed 21mm Super-Angulon.Lens in one jacket pocket,film in another.The best part was the horror on the fashion editors face.She must have eaten all her Viagra in one swallow.The piece was published.It was good.I also never worked for them again......

I routinely have 20 x 30 and the smaller sizes,11 x 14,16 x 20 etc prints made from 35mm.I mainly use Agfa 400 HDC and Fuji 100 and Kodak 100 Gold.There is very little difference between these films.One of my clients(without permission) made a projection print digitaly from a print.It was about 15 x 20 feet !!!!!I was both mad and very impressed !They made up by good re-orders and many leads.So it paid to shut up!So go ahead and blow your stuff up!Find a good but reasonable Pro lab.Here in Southern California,Orange County,Irvine its Pro -Connection.

I hope the book is a success.I read his sight often.True there is a bias.Who are we here at this site to throw e-mails?We are all Leica-nuts!Sure we can see the difference but can others,civilians and other photographers who only can afford C cameras and L lenses?

If you hav`nt read Puts`s article on the M3,than you have forfeited your M6.I will collect them forthwith!

Konica will never be a collector item.Its simply a fact.

They did build slr systems.Do you know anyone using one?

Do you know anyone collecting them? Maybe "the Konica-Rf is the camera that Leica should have built" but for me, I`m sure glad they didnt.Konica made a brilliant RF 6x7 system.

Abandoned.Great small cameras.Abandoned.

Konica like Kodak make film. Thankgoodness.For these "clever" folks had their way,we`d all have throw away cameras and pictures.Kodak hated half-frame `cause we all got twice as much out of a roll.Its a far better format than that stupid APS.Everybody has drop in loading cameras.

Anyway I still see people requiring help in loading APS....

As Leitz ads used to say "its not the same unless it is a Leica..."I traded a Konica Slr for a screw mount Pentax f1.4 lens and KNOW I got a great deal.It works.

Thanks for the imformation.

FWIW the 90mm C lens hit infinity perfectly with M2.

The M3, my main camera...no way near !Definitely it will not work.Its a nice looking lens but I shall wait for a faster and better focus match.I wonder if the Voigtlander lenses have same problem,being built for thier shorter Rangefinder base,similar to CL/CLE...

I was offered a Leica Elmar-C 90mmm f4.o lens for my M3/M2.

Want to know does it couple exactly to the Rangefinder.Can I use it for close up(about 3ft) at maximum aperture?It will be used for blow ups..8x12 and larger.I had a Tele-Elmarit,early model.I am not interested in the Other lenses,Summicron,Summilux,Elmarit-M.The price is reasonable

for Leica,so is there a problem ?

I think all the opinions expressed here agree in general that Leica is not headed in the right direction....

My feelings are that we should look at the "pro" Leica models,the M and R systems individually.

The M-System is now basically 3 different models of tampered design.The original M3 stands head and shoulders above the M2/4/6 design which was at first a less expensive alternative.The wide use of wide-angle lenses,the 35 and 28 by photographers hastened this idea.A lot of photographers now come with SLR experience and the use of many lenses and accessories to enhance their photographic skill and needs.

Whether all this is really required is a moot point.Look at the sales figures of Canon and Nikon.Perhaps the Leica M is only good for a few lenses.The many frames present in the viewfinder is not an assett.True one can get used to it,but why ? A SLR never requires extra viewfinders.(dont mention exceptions)The modern photographer wants more lenses and features.Leica is built to a different standard.With all its faults it will OUTLAST any professional 35mm camera out there.That is a problem.The SWiss watch industry had same dilema.If it doesnt wear out you will not buy again.Markets are not always expanding.See sales of SLR worldwide.Pentax had similar problem with Spotmatic/K1000 model.It works forever.The lenses may not be as special as Leica but by golly they NEVER flare.I use Pentax and Nikon professionally in addition to Leica.So once youve bought your M-model and a few lenses you are done, financially and equipment wise.A cheaper Leica may solve the problem.It would need to be replaced.Newer models would be offered a la Canon.I doubt Leica could find sufficient purchasers....

The R-System.What is there to say?The golden moment was a copy of the Nikon-F.The camera that basically destroyed The German Photograhic industry.The Leicaflex model 1 was a joke.It was compouded by different Minoltas reworked.The R8 is descibed elsewhere as "the Hunchback of Solms". Continuing to "push" a camera that is not a winner is sad.Cut the loss.It endangers the whole company.

My opinion is a new reflex system built with one of the other big companies....not so easy....Zeiss could only get Yashica to help because they were almost finished.The Japanese govt and banks made it happen.

I have a M3 and a M2.I have 2 lenses.I will add Voiglander for my reqiurements.I cannot justify Leicas prices and stay

in buissiness.

I hope for all our sakes,real good thinking prevails at Solms.

In one of the UK photo-magazines saw other cameras,the original Nikon-F being one of them.They look cute.Having tried Minox 9x11 format,I guess I`ll give this one a miss.

This forum is alve and well ! In keeping with Leica`s new tradition of pandering to the rich and spoiled,the collectors and similar non-photographers that forum is unavailable to people like myself with simple internet

tools.Another reason for NOT going there(like Pentax/Mamiya/etc site) is that the moderator would not permit some of the negative statements uttered here.Leica should have a good look what is being said on the internet.

Leica may have a clue what is rotten in their thinking.As I said previously,we are all Leica-fans But with thinking and practical thoughts...The continuous tampering with the great design of the M3 and later M2 does not make a great camera or system.The many frames present in the viewfinder, is not good for composition,The "feel" of the earlier M-models is gone.The finish without "Leica" engraved on the top deck is a scandle.The serial number on the accessory shoe is pathetic.Sure the lenses are great.They are at the pinnacle of design and manufacture But again not all designed and definitely not all built at Solms.Sure the other makes,Canon,Nikon,Minolta,Pentax and others definitely share technology and components to save costs.The result is the Eos/the new "F""s,light years ahead of Leica...I prefer total control....so I stay with my Leica M3 33years old.If I were to buy new today...I would purchase a Hasselblad 501 kit which is same price as M6.(approx) The larger negative would yield immeiately superior results.I am at this forum for info and practical thoughts on the real use of a Leica and not here which new collector camera has been issued.Good for the company and the possible repair and service of my older equipment.There the Japanese fall flat on their faces with limited in time after sales sevice for so called professional equipment.5 years tops ! I worked for a Japanese company in a different field,in service.I ordered spare parts for new articles not yet sold by dealers but requiring attention and the unit was already labled "obsolete" and no parts available.

Leica is a great camera and company.I just want a forum that is censorship free.May we all have great light and good exposures.