First time Leica owner: advice?

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm using Seconic L-208. Absolutely enough for indoors outdoors. If on-camera one is needed, Cosina Viogtlander makes working ones and very small. But most of the time I'm meter-less.

 

[cooltouch]

When I'm shooting with one of my rangefinders, I prefer to bring along either my Gossen Luna Pro SBC or Luna Pro F with the variable angle attachment, which provides 7.5 and 15 degree angles of view. This setup gives me four options: incident, a "normal" angle, and then the two restricted angles as provided by the variable angle attachment. I also have a Pentax V spotmeter, but I rarely use it. The 7.5-degree angle is usually tight enough for my needs. And it's a lot cheaper than a spot meter too.

 

[cuthbert]

What are everyone's thoughts on using the M3 with a MR4 meter? Getting one just for indoor use/trickier lighting situations, but will definitely go without a meter on any normal day.

I have it but I find it pretty useless, if I need to meter I use my M5.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... will carry out my own test. Suggest you do the same.

I have just conducted my own test.

Conditions:
- bright sun, clear skies, 87F
- dry newspaper, 1 week old
- Leitz Summicron 50/2

Procedure:
- focused lens at infinity, f/2, focus sun on paper ~10 sec
- focused lens at infinity, f/16, focus sun on paper ~10 sec

Results:
- no burning


My previous belief that the lens will burn a hole in the shutter appears to be wrong, although I cannot explain at this time why.

Leica doesn't explain what "long periods" are, perhaps I didn't hold focus long enough.

 

[Huss]

Conditions:
- bright sun, clear skies, 87F
- dry newspaper, 1 week old
- Leitz Summicron 50/2

Procedure:
- focused lens at infinity, f/2, focus sun on paper ~10 sec
- focused lens at infinity, f/16, focus sun on paper ~10 sec

Results:
- no burning


My previous belief that the lens will burn a hole in the shutter appears to be wrong, although I cannot explain at this time why.

Leica doesn't explain what "long periods" are, perhaps I didn't hold focus long enough.

Was your paper dark grey or black to match the colour of the shutter?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Was your paper dark grey or black to match the colour of the shutter?

No, it was white. I thought that would be good enough, since a magnifying lens will burn it.

The only real test is try to burn shutter material.

 

[ColColt]

I rather like the MR4 meter. It currently sits atop my M2 but could do double duty with the M3. It's as accurate as any other meter I have-inside the camera or a hand held Luna Pro SBC.

_1DF3888a by David Fincher, on Flickr

 

[Jerevan]

The MR-4 has a bigger speed dial, making it much easier to turn, with the eye to the camera for example. I wish someone would make an accessory that would have that function for the older cameras, less the meter.

 

[CMoore]

Pardon me for butting in...I know nothing about Leica/Rangefinders...but that MR4 is about the most handsome, top-of-camera-meter I have ever seen.
I am an SLR guy, but it sure is hard to find any fault with Leica where Fit and Finish are concerned.
Carry On

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Pardon me for butting in...I know nothing about Leica/Rangefinders...but that MR4 is about the most handsome, top-of-camera-meter I have ever seen.
...

KR has a decent matter-of-fact page on Leica meters:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/leicameter.htm