Leica M3 - required or preferred order of winding on and setting the shutter speed

[CuS]

Heyo!

Can't seem to find a thread on this so here goes:

I am really enjoying my new to me Leica M3.

I was wondering, however, is there a preferred or required order to winding on and setting the shutter speed.

My Kiev IIa (like many early FSUs) requires coking the shutter before setting the shutter speed.

Is this also required for my M3 (its an early, single stroke converted model - SN 731xxx).

I've read the manual and all I can find is the following:

"The dial has click-stops at the various settings to insure accuracy. It does not rotate when the film is wound nor when the exposure is made; thus speeds may be selected at any time."

On mine, I can rotate the shutter dial bother before and after the film is would and the shutter is cocked.

I think I may be overthinking this, but what do you all think?

Thanks!

 

[Terry Christian]

It doesn't matter, but it's a good habit to wind to the next frame immediately after taking a shot, and then setting the shutter speed again if necessary. If you keep to that habit, you won't be paranoid about ruining your FSU cameras.

 

[CuS]

Thanks Terry! Much appreciated.

 

[summicron1]

FSU cameras are based on the pre-M design of Leicas, which had a rotating shutter speed dial. You could change the speeds on those older Leicas before cocking the shutter, but you didn't know where the shutter speed was set because the dial is in a different direction before you wind the shutter.

On some FSU cameras -- their Kiev 88 imitation hasselblad is a prime example, but i've seen it said of their contax copies as well -- failing ti wind the camera before setting the shutter speed can cause actual damage -- although since most Kiev 88s came from the factory pre-broken, this is a fine distinction.

An M3's shutter speed can be set any time. Spaces between the set speeds also work, although only as an approximation and not between 1/30 and 1/60 (or 1/25 and 1/50, depending on the age of your camera) because that is where the camera shifts over to the slow speed gear train.

A good way to test the condition of your camera is to set it on 1/15th of a second and fire the shutter while listening closely. You should hear the gear train buzz as it holds back the second curtain, followed by a sound best described as a bb bouncing on a table -- that is the retard bouncing back after releasing the second curtain. If the sound is nice and crisp, your camera's slow speed train is in good order.

 

[cuthbert]

You can set the shutter of the Kiev before or after winding, as it's based on the Contax shutter, not Leica.

It's also safe to change the shutter speed before winding with soviet cameras without slow speeds like the Fed2, Zorki 5 and 6.

For the M3, I have a single stroke late model and it's fine as it is.

 

[CuS]

Thanks so much - yup my slow speeds have the nice buzz at 1/10th.

Really enjoying the camera - a fun shooter - also props to Ken Hansen who supplied it - he was very kind and helpful to my wife as she shopped for one as my Christmas gift.

Thanks!