Leica M3 - size?

[Huss]

Congrats to the OP on his new Leicas. They're great cameras, I'm sure you're going to love them.

Not to take this thread off topic, but I'm in the market for a 50mm lens for my M-A/M4 and am seriously considering the v5 Summicron. I keep hearing that the lens is prone to flare and wondered if you've experienced that.

Yes it can flare badly. As does the 35mm Summicron Asph. As does the 50 Summilux Asph.
The Zeiss lenses have much better/flare resistant coatings. My 50mm f2 Planar flares way less than my Summicrons.

 

[RedSwede]

I have looked at F2s for nothing more than curiosity. It may well be built like a tank, but doesn't really offer anything else over the FE2 - bigger, heavier, slower shutter, no automation. The viewfinder in the FE2 is really top notch with a new FM3a K3 screen. I have certainly not tried all SLRs, but I bet there aren't many old time MF SLRs with modern laser cut ultra bright focussing screens available (and brand new to boot)

 

[logan2z]

Yes it can flare badly. As does the 35mm Summicron Asph. As does the 50 Summilux Asph.
The Zeiss lenses have much better/flare resistant coatings. My 50mm f2 Planar flares way less than my Summicrons.

I've also considered the Zeiss. Other than flare, which of the Zeiss or Summicron do you prefer in terms of handling, rendering, etc.

I probably should have picked up a 50mm/2.4 Summarit before they were discontinued. I have the 35 and 75 and they seem pretty immune to flare, and I've been really pleased with them in terms of IQ.

 

[Huss]

I've also considered the Zeiss. Other than flare, which of the Zeiss or Summicron do you prefer in terms of handling, rendering, etc.

I probably should have picked up a 50mm/2.4 Summarit before they were discontinued. I have the 35 and 75 and they seem pretty immune to flare, and I've been really pleased with them in terms of IQ.

The Leica lenses feel better built and are nicer to use - I find their focus action perfectly weighted and smooth. The Zeiss lenses have a sort of sticky feel to the focus, almost like they use honey as a lubricant! Also their f-stops are much firmer, while the Leica ones are softer in action. What you'd prefer is up to you.

Optically - both are fantastic. But w/re. to flare, Zeiss is better. I think the most underrated lens is the Zeiss Planar 50mm ZM. Everyone falls over themselves praising the Sonnar 50 1.5 (which I also have) but that lens is trickier to use because of focus shift. And at 1.5 the bokeh is very busy, totally changes at f2 etc

Some Leica glass is great at flare management - my 28mm Asph 2.8 is pretty amazing. I guess from your experience the Summarits are too.

 

[Huss]

I have looked at F2s for nothing more than curiosity. It may well be built like a tank, but doesn't really offer anything else over the FE2 - bigger, heavier, slower shutter, no automation. The viewfinder in the FE2 is really top notch with a new FM3a K3 screen. I have certainly not tried all SLRs, but I bet there aren't many old time MF SLRs with modern laser cut ultra bright focussing screens available (and brand new to boot)

I agree. I have F2 as well as FE2/FM2 etc. The F2s are fantastic objects from a different era. The FE2 etc is a better/easier picture maker. Time has moved on.

 

[film_man]

Congrats! My M4 is with Starkie for some mods (and a problematic top speed), it is 3 months and he's apparently working on it now so should have it back within the month, he does take his time and one thing I've sort of noticed is that it is good to remind him every now and than that he does have to work on your camera. I do have the 50/1.5 ZM and it is a fantastic combo. The 21/4.5 is just superb too if you ever look for a wide. The only "complaint" with the 50/1.5 is that if focuses to 0.9m which makes it not very good for closer shots but for that there's always my FM2n with the 50/1.2.

 

[RedSwede]

Congrats! My M4 is with Starkie for some mods (and a problematic top speed), it is 3 months and he's apparently working on it now so should have it back within the month , he does take his time and one thing I've sort of noticed is that it is good to remind him every now and than that he does have to work on your camera. I do have the 50/1.5 ZM and it is a fantastic combo. The 21/4.5 is just superb too if you ever look for a wide. The only "complaint" with the 50/1.5 is that if focuses to 0.9m which makes it not very good for closer shots but for that there's always my FM2n with the 50/1.2.

Wow - so only 4 months lead time?? Very encouraging! We are in email contact regarding my M3 - I've decided to go for a full custom repaint (not black...). Bit worried about doing that - in that it might turn it into something too perfect, difficult to replicate/replace, etc. I'll just have to be firm and use it like I always intended.

If I was going to add a second lens, it would be a wide - probably in the range 24-28mm, but might look as wide as 20/21mm. Any reason you recommend the f4.5 over the f2.8 (seemingly the only current one)

 

[Huss]

I highly recommend the Voigtlander 21 and 25mm f4 lenses. Super tiny and excellent on film bodies.
21mm on my M3 w/ Fuji C200:

 

[Cary Lee]

I own an DS 1954 M3 and i found that it is a joy to use. It is a classic because that brass camera is built like a tank. Kinda like the Nikon SP rangefinders or the Contax original rangefinder of the past. I use sunny 16 for metering and if you develop your own film, you can get nice pics using stand development on B/W filmstock.

 

[flavio81]

I have looked at F2s for nothing more than curiosity. It may well be built like a tank, but doesn't really offer anything else over the FE2 - bigger, heavier, slower shutter, no automation.

Having owned both and stayed with the F2, i'll tell you what you get:

- Better fit and finish
- Better viewfinder (better eyepoint, no distortion, better location of meter indications, clear indication of f/stop and shutter speed)
- Shutter with smoother operation and lower vibration levels
- Probably, higher reliability (although the FE2 is a very reliable camera too)
- Compatibility with all Nikkors, not just AI/AF nikkors
- Able to meter with pre-AI and AI/AF nikkors by use of the suitable metering head

Of course the FE2/FM2/FE/FM series are more comfortable to handle and lighter to carry.

FE2 is an awesome camera, but saying the F2 doesn't offer anything over it, is a stretch.

 

[film_man]

Wow - so only 4 months lead time?? Very encouraging!

Well...let's hope it will indeed be 4 months. It was supposed to be 3 months, I rang on 2 months and he said he'll get it sorted in a month then I rang at 3 months to ask if it is ready and he said he'll get it sorted in a month.