[Leica] M3 with Summicron etc.

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

On Mar 19, 2009, at 2:30 PM, Leina wrote:

> I fins a
> discussion on the rangefinder forum in which folks use the Summaron  
> 2.8
> 3without a viewfinder and argue that the M3 viewfinder has a 40mm  
> view,
> and that focusing isn't a problem.

A caution about the M3 viewfinder. The field of view might be a bit  
wider than that of a 50 mm lens but not if you wear glasses. The eye  
relief of the M3 viewfinder is so short that many an eyeglass wearing  
photographer finds it hard to see the entire 50 mm frame line without  
mashing his eyeglass lens hard against the viewfinder eyepiece. The  
M3 is a great camera and was made before Leica learned cost control.  
The materials and viewfinder optics are a level above more recent  
Leica Ms. Naturally some will disagree but purists consider the late  
model M3s to have the best build quality of all Leica cameras. Get  
the M3 and a 35 mm Sportsfinder. You won't be sorry.

Larry Z