Bought a Leica...

Rich Silfver · 06-21-2004

Ok...so I thought it would be interesting to see what all this hoop-la about Leica's is all about - so I went and bought myself one :-)

Since I've never really been able to use wider lenses - and I wanted a really classic body I went for the M3.

Ended up getting a fairly late version of the M3 (serial number >1,000 000) - in very nice condition (with flashplugs and original leather case in great condition).

Photo of it here: http://www.pbase.com/rsilfverberg/leica_m3

Almost to pretty to shoot with.

Should be here no later than Thursday of this week will be just in time to be a birthday gift for me as well :-)

It still has the original seal in it but the speeds are supposedly working well and the rangefinder very bright/crispy. Even so I have accounted for a CLA for it.

So next is ofcourse getting myself a lens as well (50 or 90) and see how it all of this works out.

Will post some photos here once all parts come together.

taffer · 06-22-2004

Hey, you finally did it !!

Congratulations Richard !!!

So now you're in the quest for the perfect 50 ? I bet you'll end getting a 50/2 'cron

The M3 is said to be the perfect 50mm machine, so probably you couldn't do any better. My 50 for the Canon 7 (when it arrives

) will be my chrome Jupiter-8 f2 from 1955. And if someday Rafcamera rebuilds the Orion adapter, then it will take the Contax mount Helios 103

Congrats again Richard, by looking at your galleries, probably that Leica needs you more than you need it !

And of course, please take some restaurant table shots with it

Laika · 06-22-2004

MMMmmm...Very nice M3 Richard, I'm tempted to get a M myself but haven't gone further that stalking ebay auction to get ideas on prices. I look forward to hearing your handling thoughts after a few rolls, its a safe bet that the images will be stunning

Brian Sweeney · 06-22-2004

That is one beautiful M3. If it does not include one, using an (n)ever-ready case with it will preserve the finish. They are cheap on EBay; I picked up one made for the camera and lens with the "eyes" mounted for $10. The flap was intact.

The Summicron is a great lens; I have the Type 1 Rigid. Very sharp. Watch out for "cloudiness" with the early lenses; a CLA for the lens will run 80~90 if you get a bargain priced one. Essex was successful in getting rid of the cloudiness in my Summarits and Hektor 13.5. The later vintage lenses do not seem to suffer this problem. The Summarits are probably the cheapest lenses in M-Mount; they are soft wide-open, but at F4 they are close to the Summicron. The 13.5cm Hektor is a Bargain these days.

Yesterday I picked up a chrome Canon 50mm F1.8 in LTM off of EBay for $27 described with clean elements, cloudiness inside. For that price, I will be opening it up myself. I will report success or failure.

rover · 06-22-2004

Very, very nice. Congrats.

MP Guy · 06-22-2004

Contact anthony at acc photo for someincredible deals on a 50mm he has both new and used. I personally like shooting with the 35mm 2.0 you should give it a try sometime.

SolaresLarrave · 06-22-2004

Congratulations, Richard!!!

You'll enjoy the M3. Not only is it a joy to work with, you'll see that even at f4 there's a distinctive crispness in your shots, that'll keep you hooked. There's only one thing that has deterred me from getting a M3: it has no framelines for 35mm. The M2 (which came afterwards) does have them. But then you're no big fan of wide angles anyway.

The best companion for this one would be a so-called "rigid" Summicron. The ones with an infinity lock. More often than not, they require a bit of a cleaning and they're available only in silver chrome, but their sheer weight makes them very respectable.

And when you turn the focusing ring or the aperture ring... it's sooooo smooth!

Welcome to the gang! And show us the first shots too!

SolaresLarrave · 06-22-2004

Before I forget, Richard... make sure to get an additional retake film spool! In fact, you can easily "reload" your Leica if you pack a roll of film with the retake or rewind spool already firmly attached the end of the film leader. The initial M-series rangefinder didn't have the so-called quick-load mechanism current bodies have (that one only came after the M4). So scout eBay or decent used equipment stores (being in SF it shouldn't be hard) in search of an additional retake spool.

Just thought you'd like to know... in case you didn't know about it already.

Rich Silfver · 06-22-2004

Thanks all for the encouraging words.

Brian, yes it comes with a (n)ever-ready case which is said to be in the same condition as the camera so I'll be sure to use that whenever I take it out.

Francisco, i tend to finish a roll of 36 frames in a week or so - so the speed of re-loading the camera was not a big issue with the M3 ;-)

Yes the LENS is going to be the next big challenge for me. There are SO many lenses to chose from. I know I want a Leica lens (heck, I want to get the 'full experience'). Not sure if I will start with a 50 or 90.

I often hear/read that Summicron is considered top-of-the-line lenses when comparing to the Elmars, Elmarits, Summarits, etc (Gosh..I can't believe I just mentioned those names - 2 weeks ago I wouldn't had been able to name more than one maybe).

A 'rigid' 50 Summicron?
[Stupid question warning]
What makes it rigid and what are the options to a rigid lens?

SolaresLarrave · 06-22-2004

Richard, these lenses were called "rigid" as opposed to the "collapsible" kind, which used to be fairly popular and came from a looong line of Leica lenses design. IIRC, the "rigid" kind came up in 1954 or 55, together with the Leica M bodies, although Leica did make the same lens for their thread-mount cameras.

Hence, a bit of information about these "rigidity" thing. While buying, beware of the DR Summicrons, which were made for close-ups and should be sold with a pair of goggles. I believe the goggles can be taken off the lens if you're going to use the rig for "normal" distances (from 0.7m to infinite), and should be used when you're doing close-ups as they help focusing.

Anyway, I thought you'd like to know, so the lens you choose doesn't look too anachronistic on the beautiful design of the M3.

MP Guy · 06-22-2004

Richard, before getting a 90 you should give some serious consideration to the 70. It is a great inetween lens with incredible clarist not to mention its speed of 1.4 However, when shoping for one make sure its is German made and NOT CANADIAN. I hear the is a sifference in the quality of the lenses.

Brian Sweeney · 06-22-2004

The optical formula for the "Type I Rigid" and "Dual-Range" rigid are the same, according to many sources. They are good lenses. The DR must have been made to compete with the LTM Nikkor which focus to 18"; problem is they lose the RF cam on all but the Tower Leica copies.

Leica M Reviews at KB Camera

ZeissFan · 06-22-2004

Richard -- congratulations on the Leica. I think you'll really like the camera. It's not a religious experience, as some might suggest. Although the following can be rather cult-like.

However, it's a very solid camera with terrific lenses.

Rich Silfver · 06-22-2004

Thanks for all the encouraging words.

When it comes to a 50mm lens I've read that the Dual Range (DR) is actually a very nice standard lens and that the goggles are optional (i.e. detachable when no need to focus close). The main 'issue' people seem to have with it is that it's not as 'pretty' as the rigid version 1 as the DR have the flat plate where the goggles are attached.

Like Brian write I've read that the Rigid 1 and the DR have the same optical formula.

Yeah...Canadian vs German...just what I needed one more selection criteria to take into consideration :-)

Actually, I've also read that the DE and CA lenses don't have any significant differences in quality or feel. The differences comes when comparing black vs chrome where the chrome lenses tend to be heavier but 'feel more solid'.

Since I'm getting a chrome camera I'd like to stick with chrome lenses regardless.

If getting a 50mm first I think I'm leaning towards a Summicron 50/2 rigid from the 60's.

I've also read in a number of places that the Summicrons are considered the sharpest lenses out of the Leicas. Anyone have any idea if that is actually the case or just another myth? :-)

Mike, I'm not quite hoping for a religious experience but hoping that this may be the camera that will be a nice 35mm supplement to my 'blad. Time and rolls of film will tell ;-)

HelenB · 06-22-2004

Yes, there's a big difference in the quality of German-made and Canadian-made Leica lenses. Most of the Canadian-made lenses have defects like dead mice between the elements, marks from having been used as a hockey puck etc etc. The front element of my Noctilux is made of opaque black plastic! The list is endless.

Seriously folks, I've never seen any evidence of any difference in quality between a Leica lens made in Canada and one made in Germany.

Best,
Helen

back alley · 06-22-2004

i doubt that there is any difference between a canadian and german made lens. in fact, aren't new leica lenses assembled in portugal now?
richard, i'm happy for you and your new purchase, but please promise me that you will stay the same level headed guy that i have come to admire here and not 'turn' into a 'leica snob'!!!

congrats!
joe

Brian Sweeney · 06-22-2004

I think it is very sharp, but judge for yourself. This is a very big file scanned in with the Epson at 3200DPI, 16 bit, then scaled to 8bit. Minimal compression with JPeg. Note that OshKosh can be read.

BIG 4MByte Summicron Type 1 Rigid Picture.

back alley · 06-22-2004

erwin putts (sp?) has on line reviews of many leica lenses but i can't seem to find the site address now.

joe

rover · 06-22-2004

http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/ms...scronhist.html
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/012b.shtml
http://www.kbcamera.com/summicron50m.htm
http://www.trenholm.org/hmmerk/SHBG12.pdf

Lots and lots of reading. I will sum it all up for you, they are all good.

How about some user reviews. There are a couple decenting opinions here.

http://www.photographyreview.com/psc...9_3111crx.aspx

Rich Silfver · 06-22-2004

Thanks for the links. Will give me hours of reading material for tonight.

Oh - and JUST got the camera delivered a few minutes ago - and...it looks and feels absolutely amazing!

Must admit that as I looked through the viewfinder for the first time I did say 'wow' out loud :-)

Very, very nice...the case also looks great and the flashplugs have a healthy white colour.

Nothing to complain about at all!

Joe, moi become a Leica-snob. Never. I am but a Leica artiste and I will never come to look down upon your second-grade cameras as you people dwell in your photographic gutter dreaming about one day ascending to the Leicaesque level. Moi? Never! I will remember you all as I step on your heads carrying my Leica held high - into the light. Into the light!

;-)

[P.S: The last section above was a joke!]

back alley · 06-22-2004

he is lost...

joe

back alley · 06-22-2004

oh, and by the way, i just wanted to point out that i once owned a brand spankin' new in the box leica m4p complete with 50mm summicron lens.
...and sold it...

joe

Rich Silfver · 06-22-2004

Oh Joe, not at all...I'm behaving perfectly normal. For the last hour I've been sitting on the couch stroking the camera as I lovingly muttered precious....preeecious.....my precioussss..

Oh...got to go... She needs me...

back alley · 06-22-2004

you got me - i can't stop laughing!!

joe

Doug · 06-22-2004

LOL, congratulations, Richard! That looks like a lovely M3, very very clean. You mention flash sockets or plugs a couple times, but I don't see the white plastic protective covers for them in the pics. Are the sockets modified to the new PC style, or remain the older "classic" Leica type? I have never used the flash connections on my M2, so the old covers remain in place.

There sure are lots of lens choices out there, and I agree with your preference for the Leica experience with lenses as well. After all, Leica is famous for lens quality!

I would like a type 1 "rigid" 'cron, but there's that cute little 50/2.5 Skopar flirting with me! Is it a cheap tramp or a return of the qualities of the great Summar?