Leica M3 film canister?

[ToddB]

Hey guys,

Last weekend I held a Leica M3 camera from a guy that I meet briefly at a event. I was wondering if the film canister is exclusive? Can you put in a standard 35mm film canister? I bulk load from a 100 ft roll.

Todd

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Hey guys,

Last weekend I held a Leica M3 camera from a guy that I meet briefly at a event. I was wondering if the film canister is exclusive? Can you put in a standard 35mm film canister? I bulk load from a 100 ft roll.

Todd

Of course you can. Leica sold reloadable cassttes for both the screwmount and M-mount bodies, I don't know if they interchange. But any run of the mill reloadable cassette like the Kalts and so on will work. Back in the 80s and early 90s I used Fuji standard cassettes because they could be opened without damage and reloaded. Apparently not so now.

 

[ToddB]

Cool Thanks.. I was a very solid camera. I was totally impressed with focusing and solid build. Maybe when I'm rich and famous I might be able to afford one.

Todd

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Cool Thanks.. I was a very solid camera. I was totally impressed with focusing and solid build. Maybe when I'm rich and famous I might be able to afford one.

Todd

I never paid more than $200 for one, and that's with case and lens. Guess how long ago that was ...

 

[darkosaric]

Cool Thanks.. I was a very solid camera. I was totally impressed with focusing and solid build. Maybe when I'm rich and famous I might be able to afford one.

Todd

Todd, I paid my M3 500€ - every second person I see on the street has DSLR that is much much more expensive than this. It is a lot of money - but not absurd big. For start some Russian lens will do just fine with the adapter.

 

[summicron1]

Of course you can. Leica sold reloadable cassttes for both the screwmount and M-mount bodies, I don't know if they interchange. But any run of the mill reloadable cassette like the Kalts and so on will work. Back in the 80s and early 90s I used Fuji standard cassettes because they could be opened without damage and reloaded. Apparently not so now.

Euro 500 for a Leica M3 is such an amazing bargain -- even if you have to spend another $200 to have it serviced, it is a far far FAR better camera than what the same money will get you in a consumer-level DSLR.

Leica cassettes came in two varieties -- black knob and chrome knob. The black knob ones are older and only fit the screw-mount cameras. Chrome knob ones are newer and were made for the M-series but will also work in the screw-mount cameras.

Both Leica cameras, as others have pointed out, will take any standard film can as well.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Todd, I paid my M3 500€ - every second person I see on the street has DSLR that is much much more expensive than this. It is a lot of money - but not absurd big. For start some Russian lens will do just fine with the adapter.

For those who don't think Soviet lenses are any good -
http://forum.mflenses.com/helios-103-vs-jupiter-8-vs-vs-old-collapsible-summicron-t53684.html
And, in this day and age, an M3 is a steal. There's nothing remotely as nicely made today, and if there was it would cost ten or fifteen grand.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Euro 500 for a Leica M3 is such an amazing bargain -- even if you have to spend another $200 to have it serviced, it is a far far FAR better camera than what the same money will get you in a consumer-level DSLR.

Leica cassettes came in two varieties -- black knob and chrome knob. The black knob ones are older and only fit the screw-mount cameras. Chrome knob ones are newer and were made for the M-series but will also work in the screw-mount cameras.

Both Leica cameras, as others have pointed out, will take any standard film can as well.

Thanks, I can never keep that straight.

 

[ToddB]

Very nice.. I saw on Fleabay there are a few for around 1000.00 with lens. There would be nothing that would make more happy than having on of these gems. I randomly visit local antique and thrift stores in town to see if rare chance that there might be one up for grabs.

Todd

 

[Xmas]

The

- Black knob is a FILCA this only fits a Barnack (screw) Leica cause it is 2mm larger than DIN, cept very early ones in original state without the baseplate latch keyway.

- Chrome knob is a IXMOO will fit most M's and Barnacks, but not M5, M7 or MP, (& late M6 will need the baseplate latch replaced for keyway)
It may misbehave in early II(I)f and earlier cameras. It has 2mm of play so some of photo can be on sprocket holes!

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00SJEo

 

[Colin Corneau]

There's plenty of deals on Leica bodies...just keep your eyes peeled. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a great camera.

As for lenses, you can also find deals but some Voightlander glass is very good, ditto with Zeiss glass or other manufacturers. The point is there's always options.

 

[ToddB]

Well said.. Always looking.

Todd

 

[darkosaric]

I see right now in Meister Camera Leica store in Hamburg M3 for 450 euros:

http://www.meister-camera.com/hamburg/index.php?id=25&tx_commerce_pi1[catUid]=21&cHash=99bec7e8c5

I got my M6 from them - this is good and reputable store.

 

[Xmas]

As for lenses, you can also find deals but some Voightlander glass is very good, ditto with Zeiss glass or other manufacturers. The point is there's always options.

All the Cosina manufactured lenses are excellent I've had more problems with Leica's lenses. Their own brand (Voightlander) are available in different configurations which may help ergonomically.

Early lenses 45-70 are single coated providing contrast control and muted colours, some are Nikon (LTM)manufactured many Canon(LTM) - as well as Leitz.

Cosina offer two modern ones in either single or multi coat.

 

[Nuff]

I had an M3 for a day, last week. Nothing compared to it's smoothness, not even hasselblad. It worked for a while and then it locked up, the camera was slightly beat up. For me the most important part was viewfinder and that was in great condition.

The eBay seller will take the camera back and been pleasure to deal with. I also got a lens from him, which I will keep.

I'm off to japan next week so I will be looking for a M3. There's a lot there and exchange rates are in my favour.

 

[Fixcinater]

Canon 50/1.8 or 1.9 can be a cheap entry into LTM glass if you don't like Soviet haptics.