Leica M3 camera walkthrough

[@jhy5497]

Man, I appreciate every video you upload. You need more recognition.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - appreciated

[@constantinestewart7416]

Thanks Jonathan for clear overview of the M3. I was loaned one by a good friend, shot a few roles of film and I ended up buying it from him. The range finder system I found was so much easier to nail focus with my aging eyes than with my old F3.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, some prefer rangefinders, others don’t. It’s very personal.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

The biggest draw of the M-3 in the 60's and onward over SLRs was the baseline rangefinder was quicker and more accurate to focus than SLR's with a 50mm Summicron. The M-3 focused more accurately than the M-4 and later M series due to the rangefinder base. News people loved them for quick accurate focus using B&W film for newspaper coverage. The Nikon F, and Canon F-1 came along and changed how we viewed news, sports, and magazines. SLR's raised our expectations for different angles, closer shots, and overall better photographs. Even motor drives at 4 FPS. Before the M-2 and M-3 news, sports, politics was covered using the Kodak Speed Graphic 4"x5" sheet film camera; one shot, insert slide, pull holder, flip it over, reinsert for second shot, after you loaded the flashgun with a bulb. The Speed Graphic was used for a few short years overlapping in time with the M-3 and Nikon F. Along with a few 120 roll film cameras until 35mm took over.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting - much appreciated

[@andrewhurlbut7475]

I've been shooting an M3 double-stroke with a 35mm Summicron for several years -- no goggles, no frame lines. I just use the full viewfinder window as my "approximate" field of view. It may not be 100% accurate, but I have never really noticed anything off in any of my shots. Generally speaking, the edges of the frame are not usually the most critical area of the composition, and if anything objectionable was to creep into the frame as a result of my lack of precise framing (which I don't remember ever happening to me with the M3) I could presumably get rid of it with a slight crop. All this to say, in my experience a 35mm lens works just fine without any special treatment, goggles, etc. And a 35mm on a Leica is a sweet thing!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, with a bit of practice it’s a good way to avoid bulky specs and viewfinders. You can do the same with 28mm lenses on the M2 and M4 cameras.

[@adreaminfocus]

This is fantastic. Thank you. I just found my mums one and I can’t wait to use it

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks. Enjoy - Leicas are fantastic cameras.

[@ankerwiedemann]

Having owned an M10 for a year and really digging into the history of the M camera, I realised I had to have an M3 though not really intending to shoot a lot of analog film. But I bought it and really love it - a 1955 version with double stroke. The focussing however, is almost nightmarish and so difficult to see properly in the rangefinder, that I understand I will not be able to make portraits with it but rather use it for street, architecture and landscape. But maybe down the road have the mirror in the rangefinder cleaned to up the clarity and contrast of it and invest in a CLA. Thanks for a really thorough walkthrough of the elements of design, mechanics and optics. Great video!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

The mirroring in the rangefinder may have faded so the contrast between the two images is reduced. Repair is certainly worthwhile. Presumably you get on okay with the M10 rangefinder?

[@ankerwiedemann]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange I love the M10. It is in all aspects a great camera for me, and I am amazed by the quality of colour range and dynamic.

[@humz437]

like to hear your opinion on the m5, its reliability, commercials failure, and basic checks, love your work!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

It’s not a camera I’d recommend as it’s less reliable than the other Ms. Plenty of people use them but, given a choice, I’d go for a Leica M4, M4-2, M4-P instead and use a handheld meter.

[@humz437]

​@@WorldwideCameraExchange I was between the m4 and m5 bc theyre similar price-wise in my local camera stores. ive spoken with people who shot with the m5 and they love them for the shutter dial, but the light meter arm mechanics worried me. Great hearing an actual camera dealer/repairer's perspective!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thank you

[@CalumetVideo]

I actually have a M3 and M5. I love the M5, mine works great, smooth, light meter is accurate and condition is good for its age! However, it is my understanding that the main shutter roller was defective on the earlier models of the M5. Some repair techs recommend a later one as the shutter roller was improved, I believe they recommend one in serial number higher than 135000. Mine is at 129000. Some repair techs say that most of the lower number models have had the faulty part replaced by now, but who knows. I do know that many repair techs will not touch a M5 and according to DAG in the U.S. he no longer has any shutter rollers left. I am torn whether I should sell the camera or should keep it. If I did sell it, it would be replaced with an M4.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting.

[@men6868]

I have that same Nikon F with the external Flag light meter and Nippon Kogaku stamp on the body.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Gorgeous Nikon!

[@ebreevephoto]

Torn about saying this at all, but the comparison for SLR to Rangefinder should have been a different video. I use both and I use both for different reasons. SLR for close and precise work and in studio, but for travel and everyday shooting the rangefinder is king, in my opinion. An M6 with a 35mm is a much smaller form factor than say my FM2N and a 35mm. Heading to Japan this month and the M3 is on my shopping list. :o)

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, agree 100%. Like comparing a Land Rover to a Porsche. Different strengths in different areas. You should always understand what, as a photographer, you need. And then choose whichever system supports that best.

[@mikewilliams7535]

I like all my Leica rangefinder cameras. I do have three Nikon SLR's I find some of their focusing screens more challenging than my Leica M's and Leica iii's except my Nikkormat FT3 with a split image focusing screen.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks for commenting

[@guccimain89]

Bought an m3 right before this video game out on a channel I’ve followed for years. Insane odds.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Enjoy - the M3 is a fantastic camera

[@sylwesterorzechowski6068]

Good pieces of advice - thank you!

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Glad it was useful - thanks

[@epicrawr123]

Love mine but the biggest issue I have is no shutter lock. Frequently I’ll pull my camera out of the bag and the shutter will have fired off at some point so I’ve lost a frame

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yes, that’s a problem with many Leica rangefinder cameras. The only solution is to not advance until you take the picture. But it’ll be a hard habit to break!

[@richardsimms251]

Very nice video. Thank you

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Thanks - hope it was useful

[@orangebetsy]

Bring along my meter with the m3?

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Usually. Some use meters, some use phone apps, some estimate.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Sunny 16 on the Kodak film box.

[@WorldwideCameraExchange]

Yep!