Thanks for the review, Nicos! Have to mention one bit of info though: you can make M3's viewfinder focus closer than 1m! Leica artificially limited close focusing to 1m because viewfinder parallax correction was not as precise with such close focusing. Later M3's simply need one gentle straightening of the lever that prevents the roller arm to fully extend. Older one's might be upgradable in service (actual viewfinder has to be modified). Cheers!

On the M3 you can close focus with a 50mm summicron DR and the close focus attachment. Yes admittedly it's something you have to setup for but it's still possible to focus to as little as just under .5 of a meter.

That's a fair review. I own a DS M3 and absolutely love it. This images are stunning at 11x14 FB paper. I own the 50mm DR, 35 Goggled. Both lenses are tack sharp.Todd

First you’re wrong on several counts. 1.) please pronunce the brand correctly. 2.) it is possible to add an auxiliary finder in the cold shoe for the 35mm lens as well as other wide angle lenses. 3.) the camera’s rangefinder can easily be adjusted to focus to .7 meters The M2 is a lovely camera and a little more flexible but it doesn’t have the same build quality of the M3. It was just too expensive for Leica to continue manufacturing cameras at the level of the M3. Even during the years of production of the M3 certain features were dropped as cost savings measures. Best regards and happy shooting.

That was incredibly helpful. Thanks! I'd been considering getting an M3 someday, but I'll also look into the M2 now.

The M3 is much more durable and better made and the frame lines are better in low light for sure. You can shoot a 35mm lens with an adjustment or you can use the bubble and even use a 24mm lens with a bubble. I also shoot with a 135mm lens all the time as well as a 90 and a 50 including a new Voigtlander 1.5 lens (pricey but wonderful) on my M3. I had an M2 but it wasn't nearly as functional as my M3 and I also have an M6, but I shoot a great deal of medium format on my Rolleiflex and Hasselblad as well. Plus the M3 is the sexiest of all.

Nice review! Leica's last forever, are fun to use and hold their value extremely well.

Unquestionably the M3 is the best body for fifties, but if you use the entire viewfinder window beyond the fifty frame lines then essentially you will have a very close approximation for a 35 mm lens, easy.

Agreed... It all comes down to final product. I usually sling my Rolleiflex TLR, however, if I want to go light weight, then I go with M3.

Mannnn, I knew I should have bought an M2!. lol. Great video Nico. I like these types of videos, very informative. Keep up the great work!.

Had an M3 and sold it because i was using my M2 more often for the same reasons. I've recently picked up an M5 and absolutely love it. Easier loading and a light meter.

Nice quick review covering the salient differences between the M3 and M2. I have both, and I find the M2 more practical because of the 35mm option, and more aesthetically pleasing with its flush, no-frills design as opposed to the unnecessary raised details around the viewfinder and rangefinder windows on the M3. The manual-reset counter is a bit of a drag but not really a big deal as you say. Plus the M2 is a bit cheaper than the M3 (if not by much these days). But do us a favour: IT'S "LEYE-CA", NOT "LAY-CA"! ;^)

I use a M4-P with a Summitar 50mm f2 and an Elmar 35mm f3.5 Both lenses stop at 1m and at the moment I don't really mind that limit... Maybe one day if the cash is at hand to buy a recent lens I'll know what I am missing :p

I see your point, but I don't think that this is such a big issue: This 35mm/f2.8 Summaron is great(www.kenrockwell.com/leica/35mm-f28.htm) - although it looks a little awkward when screwed of, this works nicely and looks good when mounted. The 0.3m difference in the focus-distance: Also not a big issue, don't you think? Never did any macro-shots with this camera anyway, so in reality I never really needed to get that close, especially not with a 35mm, which is all about soaking in all the scene and not focusing on some tiny detail. So to me these edge-cases that you describe do not really matter and I am pretty happy with my m3...

Gosh... I've have yet to commit to digital. They are a horrible investment and terrible value. Spend 3 grand on a decent kit, 6 month later, you can't give it away. These old cameras still hold their value and fetch a pretty good price if you need to sell.

Which layka should you get?

Thank you...everyone is talking about how much better the M3 is to the M2 like little schoolgirls, but it simple isn't. If you love 35mm lenses go for the M2 all the way. well - i am lucky to own a M2 with timer and frameline selector - i've been told there are versions without, that sucks, but if you can have one of these.... go for the M2. It is brilliant.

Hola Nicos! Estaría muy bien que hicieras un review de la Zeiss Ikon zm. Acabo de conseguir una de segunda mano en ebay después de mucho pensar entre ésta camara y la leica m6. Creo que tienes la Zeiss de habertela visto en uno de tus videos y seguro que tienes buenos consejos de como utilizarla. Un saludo y gracias por tus videos.

Leyka?

Great, as always. Slightly off topic: lost the metal ring in front of the viewfinder on my M2. Can't find anything on Ebay. Do you know anyone in the EU where I can ask for used spare parts?

Focus below 1 meter it’s best to use an SLR.

Thanks for another great video! Some day I’ll shoot one.

only 1/1000 sec..shutter speed on all their analog cameras. But very well built. im kinda interest in the black sheep M5 one.

Have you shot with a m4-p? If so how does it compare to a m2?

Hi Nico, is the M2 a single stroke camera?

Back in the day the M2 was the professional choice.

M3 with 35mm lens NO problem - just put a 35mm viewfinder in the cold shoe you DONT have to use a lens with goggles!!

Am I the only one to find all this very informative but Leica makes all this very complicated..., no!? Must be just me.

watching you grind the lens putting it back on made me cringe, As far as using the Leica M3 with a 35 mm lens. If you use the whole viewfinder using the 35 mis really not issue. yes it's true that the Leica M3 is optimized for the 50mm but saying you can't use it with a 35 mm is simply false.

No one shoots long lenses with a rangefinder camera

The goggles for a 35? Just need a viewfinder

Eh I shoot my M3 with my 50 dr till 0.5 m

My god man I had to stop mid video, u kinda hate this stuff right? Try working on the attitude, film photography is an exciting and passionate world! U totally ruin it!

NOT Leyca it's Lica [Leica] You are a photographer get it right dude... I can't watch this