Thanks so much. I love the M3!

It’s a great camera indeed. Solid, beautiful and easy to use. I absolutely love mine.

Absolutely true. It’s a marvel of craftsmanship and engineering. It’s also very functional and easy to use after all of these decades!

So true. I remember the first time I picked up an M3. I couldn’t believe how much more solid it was when compared to the M6. Didn’t think it could be possible.

@@FilmPhotographyChannelI really enjoy watch your camera reviews.

Thanks so much. That’s so good to hear. 👍

I agree 100%. Be safe and please post a link to your photos I would like very much to see them.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel I shall do. And I am waiting for the right weather. I'll keep you posted, for sure. Thank you for the reply.

Thanks Hani! Please sub and share my channel. I'm new so I need all the help I can get!

I’m glad you found it useful.

Thanks so much. I’m glad you found it useful.

Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful. The M3 is absolutely awesome.

Thanks for the kind words and the visit to my channel! Please sub; there's more to come!

Thanks so much!

No problem. Thanks for tuning in!

The M3 is so finely crafted. It’s “mechanical perfection”

Thanks very much. The M3 is an absolute joy to use. I'm sure you'll like it as much as I like mine.

Thanks so much for watching. I didn’t know that about the double stroke. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks so much. Pls share!

It’s such an enjoyable camera to use. I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. Thanks!

Wow thank you so much for your kind words. I work hard to bring information that you don’t see every day. Please subscribe and stay with me. Many thanks!

Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found my video useful. I have a 90mm Tele Elmarit “skinny” lens, a 15 and 21mm Voigtlander, two 50mm Summicrons (a type IV and a DR) and finally a Zeiss 35mm Biogon-C. The reason I mention this is because I would recommend any of these as the best value in their category based on price vs performance/sharpness/color/coating etc. as far as Leica mount lens prices go, these lenses are all incredible for a “good” price.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Awesome, thanks for the recommendations! I think I would go for a 50mm because I don't have the goggles for the wider focal lengths. Though I would really like a 35mm len Of course its possible to use them anyway without them. Since you had praised the light meter so much, I took a look into it and am considering it now, but I will see what I actually do buy in the end. I had heard though that if you look into the viewfinder and ignore the 50mm lines and just take the viewfinder as a whole, that this would be kind of suited for 35mm; would you approve that?

I’ve heard the same things about using the outside area for a guesstimated 35mm lens field of view instead of the goggles. I’m sure you noticed that my goggles are used for close focusing with my 50mm DR “Dual Range”. The light meter was pretty amazing in how accurate it is for such an old and simple device. There’s also a shoe mounted meter that I saw on eBay which is smaller and has a digital display but I like that the Leicameter connects to the shutter speed dial.

Also if you want to see the 35mm Zeiss f2.8 Biogon-C in action follow this link to my Flickr. All film photos taken with my M6. Beautiful color, contrast, sharpness, etc. as good optically as a proper Leica with much cheaper build quality. www.flickr.com/search/?text=Biogon%20c&sort=relevance

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Oh right I mixed the goggles up with viewfinders you can buy additionally. Ive seen those cold shoe light meters too, its just that theyre all expensive. And the Leica one is expensive as well of course but I will have to see what I get or if I just stick to my phone meter and sunny 16. I will check out your Flickr now though, thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much and thanks for watching.

Thanks so much. I actually just started the channel so the Likes will come. Thanks for tuning in!

Film Photography Channel your welcome. I wasn’t aware of that but it now makes sense after seeing the date you posted. All the best with your Channel.

Thanks!

Good news!

The notches were a “deep dive” into the instruction manual. These cameras are so simple that I imagine that most people don’t bother to read the instructions lol

Good to know. Thanks for the feedback.

That's amazing! Thanks so much.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel No, thank you. I appreciate the information. I'm a 50mm guy so the M3 is up my alley. My only hesitation was I'm not a Sunny 16 kind of guy. I need a light meter and your description of the camera and the meter has sold me. I'll be looking for an M3 now.

@@cjwillis6965 The M3 is a legendary camera because it's still so useable today. It's probably the best camera Leica has ever made. The good news is that the M3 isn't the most expensive Leica for sale on the used market. Remember to check if it's a DS (Double Stroke) or Single stroke film advance. I think it's a personal preference but you should know which it is up front. Good luck and happy shooting!

@@cjwillis6965 you don’t need a light meter. You just need to learn how to read light without a machine doing it for you.

That’s an “in the weeds” feature for sure. 😀

Hi Terry, I’m glad to help film photo enthusiasts in any way I can! You are making true the old saying that the best camera is the one you have with you. I believe if Oskar Barnak we’re with us today he would probably use an iPhone from time to time. Also the compact point and shoot cameras with good lenses are great for street photography. I use my Rollei 35S pretty often. They’re so portable that people tend to take them more often than not.

Great point about the potential danger of damage from torn bits of film inside a camera. Actually it is test film that had the sprocket holes damaged after too many film loading demos. Thanks!

Absolutely! It’s a functional masterpiece. So intuitive and easy to use. Have fun!

Thanks! I bought it at a relative bargain from my local camera shop. The original owner sold it to them the same day that I walked in. He obviously cared for it very well. If memory serves, I paid them around $800 for the camera, case and 50mm Summicron lens. I bought the Leicameter separate for $140.

Film Photography Channel that’s really good deal! I’m struggling to find a good deal on m2s (good condition under1000), leave alone m3s. They really sky rocketed in price these days. Nice video btw.

Thanks so much! Please share it!

Thanks so much. Please share!

the Summicron will have to wait...

Aww, Thanks so much. I do what I can.

It’s an absolutely lovely camera. I’ve had good luck with Youxin Ye for my Leicas. He offers an MP viewfinder upgrade that improves the contrast in the rangefinder patch and a coated viewfinder (the coated finder may have been for the M6 since the M3 viewfinder is already pretty good). I plan to have my M3 for life so I didn’t mind splurging a little. I really recommend the 50mm Summicron DR (dual range). It’s a beautiful lens and one of the least expensive Leica 50mm. Enjoy!

Those are all classic and beautiful cameras! Thanks for stopping by (please subscribe?). Thanks

The M3 is one of the more reasonably priced Leicas and it’s built like a Rolex!

@@FilmPhotographyChannel the price was reasonable not anymore!

So I just looked up my receipt dated June 27, 2018 for the purchase of the M3 in the video, Leica 50mm Summicron DR, Leicameter and leather case and strap. I bought the goggles later. I paid $1699.00 plus tax. I purchased the camera at my local camera store. It just arrived the same day of my visit. I just happened to notice it on the shelf. I negotiated $100 or so off of the price and it has gone waaaay up in value. The M3 single stroke body alone goes from $1000-$2200 now! The 50mm Summicron Dual Range is selling from $1100 to $1600! Like my other Leica purchases this combination has doubled in value.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel Good investment for sure! All the Leica stuff hold really good value.

I’m just finding out that everything that I own that is Leica brand except for one lens has doubled in value. I don’t plan on selling anyway. My Nikon cameras have more than doubled also but they weren’t nearly as expensive as the Leica stuff.

Hi, the DR lens has a small spring loaded ball bearing on top that is pushed in by the goggles thus releasing the focus ring into the close focus range. Click on this link 15:10 to see me explain it in the video. Thanks

Thanks!

Thanks a lot and congrats. The M3 is special.

Thanks so much!

Yep, here's a link. This lens is ridiculously sharp! flic.kr/s/aHsmm1sbUK

Your absolutely right! I noticed as I was editing the video. You have a well-tuned ear my friend. lol

Maybe that's because sounds and feel get part of the experience shooting these cameras ;-) Every speed has got it's own signature sound that you know by heart.

That's very true as they are not cheap. I would recommend classic Nikon's, Minolta's or Canon's since they are really reliable, fun to use and don't cost nearly as much as Leica's do. My number one choice of the three by far is Nikon. An FE, F3 are great choices that won't break the bank. Canon A1, AE-1/Program, and Minolta SRT-101 are all great, fun to use cameras. Also check out the fixed lens rangefinders like the Olympus DC (Great lens and dirt cheap!), Yashica Electro 35, Minolta HiMatic 7SII or Canon GIII QL17 although the last two are a little pricey. I've reviewed most of these on the channel. Cheers!

Lol, I really find it very well designed. It doesn't ratchet back if you release it as you're winding it and you can easily rewind it with gloves. That tiny little knob on most 35mm cameras almost always slips from my fingers when I'm winding, and when it does, inevitably you have to take up the slack again! I know that I'm "in the weeds" but I think it's a valid point.

You can get the viewfinder serviced at YYE Camera. I’ve had 4 Leicas CLA’d by him over the years. He even upgraded the viewfinders in my cameras to the MP version. YYeCAMERA.com just a suggestion. There are plenty of service people out there.

😮

@@FilmPhotographyChannel you mean YYE upgraded your M3 viewfinder too? I though M3 wviewfinder doesn't have flare like M6 does

Me Ye added coated viewfinder glass that has better contrast. It’s absolutely beautiful to look through. He also did a cla, masked off the 75mm & 135mm frame lines and replaced the “leather”. He does great work. He cla’d a collapsible lens and fixed my M6 focus mechanism.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel I know M3's viewfinder could have some issue deal to the age. So your M3's viewfinder is only for 50mm now?

Thanks so much. The M2 is a great choice also. Love those Leica’s!

That would be a great mod. The M6 classic is supposed to be a very similar body. It is without a self timer because that's where Leica inserted the light meter circuitry. It may be possible to retrofit the M3 with an M6 classic meter. Maybe?

@@FilmPhotographyChannel i think i will bite the bullet and get a used Leica MP. probably the best of both worlds. i miss the rendering of the summicron and kind of regret selling my m6

Not a huge difference between 1 meter and .7 meters but if that’s a dealbreaker I understand. I have the close focus DR dual range that focuses to about 15 in and is as sharp as they get. It’s incredible.

I am really liking the 50mm but I'm thinking about going out with the Zeiss ZM 35mm f2.8 Biogon-C (C for compact). It's an appropriate (Leica) sized lens that is sharp as a tack and has great, contrast and detail. You know that you can use the 35mm on the M3 and just "estimate" the framing. There's not a huge difference between the 35 and 50mm coverage when it comes to composition. It's not ideal but I really prefer the higher magnification viewfinder of the M3.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel This is the best viewfinder on Leica M cameras, especially if you work with a 50mm. It is so clear in your eye and your mind ! Nothing can beat this with a rangefinder (for the moment). Very good review, you said all that we need to know about this M3. (sorry for my english, I'm french !)

@@xavierubeda1867 Thanks so much for your kind words. I think the 50mm Summicron is the most flexible since it can be used for portraits as well as street photography. It gives a more intimate perspective than a wide angle since it can isolate the background (bokeh). Of course I use wide angles as well, but I tend to use the ultra wides like the Voigtlander 21mm & 15mm's not so much the 28mm.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel I cannot agree more, the Summicron 50 mm is very good on this M3. I prefer the v4 which is as good as the v5 and have a very good tab. The style is up to each photographer :D The 50mm is a very specific lens, probably harder to work with than a 35 but it really is close to "what we see". It deserves photographers to work with it.

@@xavierubeda1867 You should go out for an afternoon with only one lens whether it's the 50mm,. 28, 35, etc. Force yourself to use only one lens. You'll learn a lot about your own personal photographic style. It's a great exercise!

I don’t disagree. I also tend to put the film leader upside down in the take up spool if I have to put anything down while I’m grabbing film etc. I find when I use it all the time I don’t have a problem. It’s more when I pick up the M3 after not having used it for a while that I have issues

If money is no object I would get the MP. If you get an M6 I recommend the classic (I don’t like the larger plastic shutter speed dial on the TTL) but stay away from the ones with the “Leitz” red dot since the meter won’t time out once the shutter is cocked and not in Bulb. Goodbye batteries! Also consider the MP’s black paint shows fingerprints and is heavier than the M6 because of its brass plates. It has a great solid feel of the M3 as well as the all metal film advance and thumb wheel film rewind knob which I kinda like too. The black chrome and lighter weight of the M6 is kinda cool over the shiny paint of the MP. If I’m thinking practically I would save 2 grand and get the M6 with a summicron for the same price as the MP. At the end of the day both cameras have the same capability so it comes down to aesthetics, personal preference and history.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel very helpful and which colour MP new would you go for?

@@FilmPhotographyChannel which colour mP do you like black or chrome?

Wow it's literally worth 30 times or more what you paid for it! Even if it needs a CLA, that's only $150 so still the deal of the century! Is it a single or double stroke?

Also true of the M6. I like the simplicity of the M3 viewfinder. It’s not a “do it all” type of camera but it’s perfect with a 50, 75 and 90mm lense

I’ve heard many times. Unfortunately, KZfaq won’t allow audio fixes after posting.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel I will connect my USB Audio adapter maybe that would allow me to blast some noise out of KZfaq, thank you ;)

Finally got the audio right, I've enjoyed your review as usual. Thank you again :)

There are different factors that affect the prices. My M6 is worth $800 more than what I paid for it 10 years ago.

It should be from $1500-$2200 for a single or double stroke body. The key is patience when it comes to eBay. You might find one with the lens included like I did if your lucky for a low price. I bought mine with the 50mm Summicron DR (dual range) for $1600. I think those days are over bu I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a Leica at any price because it seems the sky is the limit for the value of these cameras.

@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you. I won a eBay Auction on M3 Double stroke that was CLA . $1,400. Just need a good lens.

That’s been my experience. Do you use flash on a Leica?

@@FilmPhotographyChannel not yet but i'm considering. so how do you manage for low light?

I didn’t realize anyone was mad at M3’s.

Thanks for weighing in.

Interesting. Why is the self timer a problem?

The seldom used selftimer gets jammed over the years. The oil in the bearings has got too thick and will block the mechanism afer being started. This problem causes the next mechanical problem; the jamming of the shutter mechanism. Self timers should had been banned in leaf shutters and focal plane shutter. There is no need to make a selfie with a professional camera. Some "profs" making a long exposure from a tripod forget their cable release. They are saved by the self timer. In the Sixties Asahi Pentax had the low budget SP 1000; a Asahi Pentax SP 500 without a 1/1000 sec and selftimer Nikon made a low budget Nikormat FT; the NIkormat FS without TTL and selftimer and 20 % cheaper. I think it is a huge risk a waste to mount selftimer in the shutters of the Hasselblad 500 leafshutter Zeiss optics. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not make a selfie on the moon.@@FilmPhotographyChannel

I’ve used three off camera flashes with remote triggers on my M6. I wasn’t making a literal statement.