RE: M3 finder in M6

[KEVIN BURKE <KBURKE@iterated.com>]

>From: doctorc8

>I am contemplating putting an M3 viewfinder in an M6.  The M6-3 I plan to
>use with 50 and 90mm lenses.  I do like the M3 finder for those focal
>lengths.  I had spoken to John Van Stelten about this endeavor and he says
>that it is technically feasible.  Has anyone in the group done this or seen
>an example of this?  Are there any pitfalls?

I considered doing this a little while back.  I contacted Leica USA Service
and found out : they could put a replacement M3 range/viewfinder system
in the M6; the built-in light meter would no longer be functional; they 
*keep*
the M6 range/viewfinder they take out of the M6; they will gladly take your
US $560 to do it.  They also said the process could be reversed with no
problems (if you don't consider purchasing *another* M6 range/viewfinder
a problem) for the same sum.

At the same time, I had been looking at various M3s.  I was either going to
have the conversion on the M6 done or buy an M3.  It seemed that the exit
pupil on the viewfinder of the M3 was larger than on the M6.  The M6 has a
psuedo-rectangular aperture just inside the viewfinder viewing window on the
viewing side.  The late M3s I looked at seemed completely clear to the edges
of the circular opening.  Being a glasses wearer, I was happy to be able to
see the whole field of the 50mm frame lines with the M3.  I don't know if a
suitable modification makes this true for the M6.

Recently, one of the voices who answers the Leica USA service phone told
me that they were now using a the range/viewfinder similar to a recent 
special
model (M6-G I think) that looks like an M3.  This particular camera has a
functioning M6 light meter, but, the viewfinder magnification is something 
like
0.85 rather than the M3's 0.91.  I don't know if the meter in a modified M6 
would
work as well, but it seems like it should with this unit.

 - Kevin
kburke@iterated.com