Wisdom of Buying a Leica M3

[GregY]

My experience with EBAY JAPANESE descriptions is that nearly all will state near mint however the further descriptions contain differences, minor wear small scratches, rangefinder a little dim, etc. It appears that there are many variations of near mint over there.

Just as comparing Leica bodies in shops anywhere in any language..... one word doesn't define condition.
Are the shutter speeds accurate ? is the viewfinder clear? any mold or fungus on the lens? Does it operate smoothly.
I wouldn't use Eb*y as a platform to characterize anybody
What's the difference between a Tamarkin Vg, Ex, Ex++ &
Robert White "Excellent, used condition" "Fair, used condition"? or
Leica Shop Vienna. "B+". ?

 

[anthonym3]

Just as comparing Leica bodies in shops anywhere in any language..... one word doesn't define condition.
Are the shutter speeds accurate ? is the viewfinder clear? any mold or fungus on the lens? Does it operate smoothly.
I wouldn't use Eb*y as a platform to characterize anybody
What's the difference between a Tamarkin Vg, Ex, Ex++ &
Robert White "Excellent, used condition" "Fair, used condition"? or
Leica Shop Vienna. "B+". ?

 

[kivis]

Mine is still going strong

 

[kivis]

Richard, I'm glad the M3 is a natural for you. For some of us, perfection was finding the M2/35mm combination. The 35mm is my "normal" world view. I work a lot with the 21mm and 28mm as well. The 40 feels a little constricting and the 50mm is a telephoto.
Leica has managed to tailor fit us all. View attachment 369153

For me, my M3 with a 21mm is my normal and the 50mm is also the telephoto.

 

[warden]

Just sold my M3 last week. No regrets… Yet.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

I just bought a low use elegant M2. So now i can compare my M5 to a M2/3. The most elegant body is the M2. But my 1960 M2 has a darker finder and the brightest focus patch of the 3 cameras. The M2 has a stronger blue tint than I care for. I still like the M3’s magnification.

Does anyone have a similar experience with the tinted finders of the M2/3.

 

[GregY]

I just bought a low use elegant M2. So now i can compare my M5 to a M2/3. The most elegant body is the M2. But the 1950 M2 has a darker finder but the brightest focus patch of the 3 cameras. The M2 has a stronger blue tint than I care for. I still like the M3’s magnification.

Does anyone have a similar experience with the tinted finders of the M2/3.

There was no M2 in 1950 or an M3 for that matter. They were introduced in 1957 and 1954 respectively.
Though i agree the M2 is elegant....& my personal favourite...sadly, after i sold my black one
i had to settle for an M4 as a replacement....

 

[Radost]

This is what I use now.

M3 for 50mm and for quality. Best viewfinder for 50. 2 eyes open shooting.
M2 for 35mm and maybe good if you have only one camera and want 28-90mm
CLE for 28mm and Konica RF when i need the extra 2 stop speed

 

[Horatio]

Mine is still going strong

View attachment 394776

For me, my M3 with a 21mm is my normal and the 50mm is also the telephoto.

Do you use an external finder for the 21mm?

 

[Radost]

I personally can not focus and than compose from 2 different viewfinder. Probably does not matter with a 21 in most situations.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Do you use an external finder for the 21mm?

I picked up several external finders from 21mm to 35mm inexpensively from Amazon.

 

[benjiboy]

Buying cameras as an investment is not a good idea. Only buy a camera if you will use it and enjoy using it. There are much better places to invest ones money.

I agree entirely with you Steve.

 

[mshchem]

I love Leica M cameras (and the old screw mount too) magical.