Leica M3 or M8?

allenroh · 04-03-2012

Hello everyone! I'm currently using a M3 with a summicron. M3 is a great camera and I love it so far but It certainly take more time (developing, scanning, etc..) than digital files. Is it worth to sell my M3 to replace it with a M8?

f16sunshine · 04-03-2012

If you want digital files rather than film/slides to scan into digital files.... YES!

I'm still using an m8 having taken a pass on the m9 upgrade (maybe m10 we'll see). The camera does everything it did when it came out. Which is to say, it makes a fabulous digital file.
With improvements to LR3/4 and Aperture3 as well as other editing software. The M8 is as good as it's ever been.

PrimeTime · 04-03-2012

^ imho: the choice can only be determined by "you"

If the developing and scanning images are troublesome, a digital platform might make sense . . . But, imho: I'd pair up your M3 w/ say a:

- Epson R-D1
- Fuji X100

* I can not see myself giving up film to replace it with digital. Its both or for "me": film

jsrockit · 04-03-2012

PT gave you some good advice, but if you only want one and don't want to deal with film, then sure, M8. Just remember that your 50mm turns into a 66.5mm lens on the M8.

allenroh · 04-03-2012

Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again.

randomm · 04-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenroh

Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again.

That was quick!

PrimeTime · 04-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenroh

Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again.

^ Great choice ! You won't regret it

Think of the Fuji X100 as a "light meter" that "Compliments" your M3, but also captures great images/moments.

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For the X100 Gang: I own a X100 as well , Its Great

Teuthida · 04-03-2012

yes......l..

steveyork · 04-03-2012

Part of the fun, for me, in using a mechanical camera is the 'experience' in taking the photo. It's not so final product oriented. You pretty much lose all that with digital camera.

rover · 04-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by f16sunshine

I'm still using an m8 having taken a pass on the m9 upgrade (maybe m10 we'll see).

Film is film, and digital is digital, but there is no upgrade for an M3.

rover · 04-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenroh

Thanks for all the advices guys! Yeah shooting with film is incredibly fun and I don't think I'm not ready to let it go yet :/ i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again.

That sounds like a great decision!! Enjoy.

Pastor Chris · 04-03-2012

I had a very nice M3 and an older, very kind, German camera enthusiast told me, "Never sell your M3, you'll regret it." it was good advice. But I sold it to get me M8. I love my M8 and carry it almost every day. I have and M6, but long for my M3. On the one hand I adore my M8 bit on the other, I still covet an M3 but. It enough to sell an M6 to get it. My perfect corral of Leicas is: M8, M6, WWII IIIc, and an M3. I count myself very fortunate indeed to have found 3 of the 4. I can be patient for the M3. I'm sure that this provides no help whatsoever with your question. Enjoy the quest!

allenroh · 04-04-2012

I finally got it!

I'm a very happy man.

emiguevara · 04-05-2012

"Never sell your M3, you'll regret it." They should write it on every film canister... congratulations to the OP for the decision!

Vickko · 04-05-2012

Funny.

My experience is my GF1 gets all the daily grab shots. It is so much more versatile, with flash and auto-focus arm's-length shooting. I've seen so many shots that I couldn't have done with a manual focus camera.

So, my Leica's are certainly being under-used.

Maybe my point is, the M3 is a very different tool than the auto-focus, flash-equipped digi-camera. Your X100 will find very different usage, even compared to the situation if you had bought an M8. (e.g. the UV/IR filters drove me nuts).

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenroh

... i decided to get a x100 to go along with my m3. Thanks again.

BobYIL · 04-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenroh

I finally got it!

I'm a very happy man.

Next year you may start dreaming about an M2 with a 35 Summicron

Ryan1938 · 04-05-2012

In my opinion, Leica has gone downhill since the M3 with very little exception. Using the M3 is a better experience than using an M7, an M8, or an M9. It just is... I guess the only real exception is the MP, but I'm not even so sure about that one.

And I say this as a guy with an M6 and an M3... I'd still love to have an M9, but I wouldn't trade my M3 for one - crazy enough.

hipsterdufus · 04-05-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenroh

I finally got it!

I'm a very happy man.

Great combo, especially given the hassles of using a 35mm FOV on the M3. I think you'll be more than pleased with your set. There's room for most of us to shoot film and digital.

philipus · 04-05-2012

I'm going through a similar thought process but have decided to get a D2 instead

That's for the moment enough of a digital Leica plunge for me

dshfoto · 04-05-2012

I am using an M3 with a 50mm Summilux and an M8 with a 35mm Summicon. I got the M8 mainly for traveling, because of all the hassle with film. I also use the M8 like a light meter , and for composing in studio, when shooting film with a Hassy or 4x5. That way I can switch lenses and back and forth as well. If you have an M3 that works the way you like it, don't sell it, because it will not be pleasant trying to replace it later. Keep the M3 and try to add an M8, so you can use both for different types of situations.

kshapero · 04-05-2012

I am a M3 and Ricoh GX200 man, but mainly M3.

amyukie · 04-05-2012

Very good decision, indeed.. I would not get M8 due to the APS-C sensor. X100 is better, and with AF!

Jubb Jubb · 04-05-2012

@amyukie - Umm the X100 also has a APS-C sensor...

I have shot with both my M8 and a mates X100. The X100 doesn't even compare in image quality at base ISO. However the X100 shines at high ISO.

gbealnz · 04-05-2012

I'd advocate the pair, M3 & M8. Share lenses etc.
I have the M8 and M6 (mainly as the metering in the M6 is convenient to me).
M8 (even accepting amyukie's APS sensor comment) is cheap enough now, and is perfect for I/R. I'm happy. I do know of an M3 for sale though.............. Hmmmmmm........
Gary

amyukie · 04-05-2012

@Jubb Jubb: I mean why should pay double price for a crop sensor where so many other options available, like X100/RD-1/X1?

M3 + X100 combo is way better than only having M8..