What do you guys prefer a Leica M3 or a Nikon F?

logan2z · Apr 20, 2023

Nikon 2 said:
Is it me or does that Nikon F look better built than a Leica M3…?

It's just you

GregY · Apr 20, 2023

Honestly, either one could bring home the goods. One body and a lens or two. Either one. The F is only 7 oz (200 grams) heavier than the M3. But for travelling... i do lean towards the M.....smaller, more inconspicuous, quiet... But in the past I have travelled with either or both. Japan several trips with F..... showed up there and sold an M2 for 2x F2. Since....always rangefinders. Nepal? 24 & 80-200 & SLR + an M6 w 35/50..... 30 day trekking trip. Europe many trips with M cameras.

Craig · Apr 21, 2023

Holy tomb raiding, dredging up a 12 year old thread from the dead.

jimgalli · Apr 21, 2023

Which is better for my needs, a pickup truck, or a sedan?

mshchem · Apr 21, 2023

I would prefer a M4 Wetzlar and a Nikon F2

250swb · Apr 21, 2023

The M3 is the camera I've most often owned, I think five at the last count, I was thinking maybe I was all wrong and one day I'd click with it, but never did. The M2 is a nicer camera, an MP or M4-P are far more usable, so if I had to choose between an M3 or a Nikon F I'd go with the Nikon F, but then I'd have too many Nikon F's.

Hassasin · Apr 21, 2023

From what I have read, all stars are pointing to the Hasselblad.

faberryman · Apr 21, 2023

I do not have a Leica M3 or a Nikon F, so I would take a [insert favorite film or digital camera] on a trip.

darkosaric · Apr 21, 2023

Both are excellent build quality. If you don't have those - I have made a video where you can see that Leica M is actually not that much smaller than Nikon F with a plain prism:

guangong · Apr 21, 2023

Both!

Craig · Apr 21, 2023

jimgalli said:
Which is better for my needs, a pickup truck, or a sedan?

A convertible, obviously!

JerseyDoug · Apr 21, 2023

I have bought, and then sold, M2's twice with no regrets. I still have the unmetered prism Nikon F my parents bought me in 1968 but I very seldom use it. For me, and I stress, just for me, my LTM Leicas beat them both hands down.

Sirius Glass · Apr 21, 2023

Hassasin said:
From what I have read, all stars are pointing to the Hasselblad.

Hasselblad moves Heaven and Earth.

eli griggs · Apr 21, 2023

Take your decision on which subjects you would be most likely to photograph, macro for instances and a Nikon 50 - 58 Macro are more easily done with the single "normal" lens, with a slower stop, than a M with close up lens and goggles or a visioflex.

In your (large) pocket the M and some M glass or Leica or other ltm glass and an adapter seems a good fit.

I've have and used the F as a main camera for a few years, with the large Photomatic metered head and, while it's a great camera, in good condition, and with the right glass and no motor, it does well, but, the M, which I've also had and used for several years, is a simpler camera set-up to carry, with several lenses.

I'd also rather loose a F than a M to theft or misadventure though and if something happens to your M on this trip, chances are good that, that loss, will be what you'll remember most about the trip.

Do no forget a monopod or tripod and filters.

IMO.

Good luck and happy trails!

MattKing · Apr 21, 2023

jimgalli said:
Which is better for my needs, a pickup truck, or a sedan?

Detroit answered your needs already:

Huss · Apr 21, 2023

El Caminos are pretty sweet...

GregY · Apr 21, 2023

eli griggs said:
Take your decision on which subjects you would be most likely to photograph, macro for instances and a Nikon 50 - 58 Macro are more easily done with the single "normal" lens, with a slower stop, than a M with close up lens and goggles or a visioflex.

In your (large) pocket the M and some M glass or Leica or other ltm glass and an adapter seems a good fit.

I've have and used the F as a main camera for a few years, with the large Photomatic metered head and, while it's a great camera, in good condition, and with the right glass and no motor, it does well, but, the M, which I've also had and used for several years, is a simpler camera set-up to carry, with several lenses.

I'd also rather loose a F than a M to theft or misadventure though and if something happens to your M on this trip, chances are good that, that loss, will be what you'll remember most about the trip.

Do no forget a monopod or tripod and filters.

IMO.

Good luck and happy trails!

I'm not a cargo pants guy..... there's no pocket that really fits.
I get where you're going with 'value'...... I remember the story of Abbas getting beaten up in a Mexican alley. curled around his lelca.
I've been so many places with mine (different ones). I'm not a Leica fanboy. They are just a tool.....but i really appreciate them. i wouldn't feel the same with an SLR..... They've been a part of my photographic experience and journey for many decades.

Besk · Apr 21, 2023

I'll have to go along with JerseyDoug. I have Nikon f2's, and a Leica M6 but enjoy my LTM IIIF rd far more.

Jim Jones · Apr 22, 2023

I've used both a Nikon F with pentaprism and Leica M2 and M4 extensively for decades. Both systems are reliable and produce equally fine photos. The most important difference is in the kind of photos YOU choose to take. The Leica "fits in my hand like the hand of a friend," as ads for a different kind of shooter said a hundred years ago. The Nikon doesn't do that so well, but is almost necessary for macro-photography and long telephotos. If my photography was restricted to lenses from 21 to 135mm with no close-up photography, I'd certainly chose the Leica. If one system had to do anything beyond that range, the Nikon might be necessary. The Leica system is a bit more compact than a similar Nikon outfit. A 4.5x5.5x8 in. Tamrac bag holds 21, 35, 90, and 135 lenses, a light meter, and quite a bit of film, and weighs 4.5 lbs. The M4 Leica with 50mm lens weighs two pounds, and is carried around my neck without a case. A similar Nikon outfit in a case was much bulkier and somewhat heavier. Perhaps the Nikon with an appropriate zoom lens or two would compete better against the Leica outfit.

Craig · Apr 22, 2023

Jim Jones said:
Perhaps the Nikon with an appropriate zoom lens or two would compete better against the Leica outfit.

A Nikon body with the 24-120 lens does most of what I want a camera to do. My problem with rangefinders is the need for accessory finders with wideangles, and I find the lack of being able to see what the lens sees a real disadvantage with a wide to very wide lens. Especially if I'm taking photos indoors the framing can be critical, I would always choose an SLR in that application.

ic-racer · Apr 22, 2023

Choices , choices...

EggFriedRice · Apr 23, 2023

Probably Nikon F for me

Huss · Apr 23, 2023

If I'm not using a Leica M, my choice of slr would be my Nikon F80 or F6. If I am going to use the advantages of an slr, might as well use all the advantages.
My F2s and F3P sit unused.

Sirius Glass · Apr 23, 2023

Huss said:
If I'm not using a Leica M, my choice of slr would be my Nikon F80 or F6. If I am going to use the advantages of an slr, might as well use all the advantages.
My F2s and F3P sit unused.

I have passed over all the 35mm range finders because I do not want my lenses limited to the 35mm to 135mm range and because I want to see what is in and out of focus.

Huss · Apr 24, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I have passed over all the 35mm range finders because I do not want my lenses limited to the 35mm to 135mm range and because I want to see what is in and out of focus.

I use 15 and 18mm lenses on my rangefinders. Actually they, and all wides, work much better than on manual focus slrs because rfs can focus wides very easily and accurately.

What do you guys prefer a Leica M3 or a Nikon F?

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