Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Alan- Boy, Oh Boy! Does you ever knows how to puts your feets in it!!! I rather demurr from the recent discussion on the relative merits of the M6 vice the M2/3/4. I have an M3 that was refurbed by Sherry Krauter, who also installed a single stroke winding head. Now I will admit that since it did not have a 35mm frameline, I came really close to selling it, and moving to an M6. Fortunately, I bumped my head, and came to my senses in time to not sell the M3, and find another means to get the M6, but enough of my dilemmas- If you have three M3 bodies, you are, as they say here in 'Good Ole Boy' country, pootin' in high cotton! In my opinion, the only downside is the lack of the 35mm framelines. Other than that, the cameras are everybit as good as any M6, and considering even the refurbishing of three, a lot cheaper than going to M6s. I would say- if you absolutely have to get an M6, sell ONE of the M3 bodies, but keep the other two! You won't regret it! Metering? Well, I kinda like the M6 internal meter, but then I also have the MR for the M3, and two Weston Master Vs for the other stuff, as well as a Gossen Luna-Pro I broke down and bought in the 70s when I wanted a 'more modern, newer meter'! I have no problem with an external meter since I've been using them for over thirty years. I am just comfortable with them. I also wear laced up shoes because to me tying them is easier than Velcro- but I am from another age! It boils down to personal taste. I assume (Dangerous!) that if you had the wherewithal to have Leicas, and three of them at that, in the 60s and 70s, then you are an old fart like me. Probably set in your ways, and the learning curve for cameras that you used then should be real short. Hell, I still use a IIIa that's older than I am and not near as arthritic as I am! Get Sherry at Golden Touch (Contact me for the Leica Repair Resource List) to give them the "spa" treatment- Mine came back like new- I think she buffed mine up, 'cause it even LOOKED better than when I sent it! Glad to have you here- I hope that you find all the discussion you can handle! I am sure that you will get a lot of opinions! The LUG is never short of those! The marque of Leica seems to draw to it a really varied assortment of LUGnuts, and whatever you decide, you will find some support out there! (waffle, waffle!) Personally, I am cheered by the number of folks still swearing BY their older cameras rather than swearing AT them- with the heat and smoke generated about the relative merits of the older vs. newer cameras, I still remain happy that I kept my M3! If you ever become discouraged at those old, obsolete, out of date and funny looking M3s, I am sure a couple of us would be happy to relieve you of the burden! :o}~ Dan Man of many opinions, and Leicas of all ages! - ----- Original Message ----- From: Alan <h12345@earthlink.net> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 1999 12:34 AM Subject: [Leica] Upgrade from Leica M3 to M6? Why? > I presently own three Leica M3 bodies that I am now preparing to have > refurbished and restored. > > (By the way - your recommendations on where to send M3's and > accompanying lenses for restoration / refurbishment are greatly > appreciated here.) > > I used the M3's extensively in the 60s and 70s, and then, for some odd, > foolish reason which I cannot now explain, I bought an automatic SLR > (Canon EOS 650), and put away the Leicas. Predictably-in-hindsight, I > lost interest in photography over the years, and have only now come to > understand why. With this understanding comes the reawakened desire to > feel the pure pleasure of the Leica back in my hands. > > My question is, given the advance of technology since the 60's (now > Leica is up to M6 TTL and TTL0.85!), is there any compelling reason > (particularly considering cost) to upgrade camera bodies? If one was > well-equipped with M3 bodies, lenses and accessories, what would justify > > the cost of an upgrade? > > Your comments are well-appreciated > > > Alan > > > (This message was originally posted to rec.photo.equipment.35mm. In > response, R. Saylor suggested that this message might generate a lively > discussion if posted to the Leica Users Group. As a result, I am > subscribing to the list. (Thanks, Richard!) In particular, I hope, that > in addition to great advice, listmembers may have some good > recommendations for refurbishment and repair of M3s) > > >