Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/12/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I agree - the M3 is a sensational piece of engineering, and the Summarit 50mm is an average to poor lens - it is difficult to get in good condition. Fogging is bound to be there, and also check out for plenty of micro scratches on the soft front element from decades of cleaning. I would say a Summicron from that generation, or a LTM Nikon or Canon 50mm f1.4 with one of Gandy's LTM-to-M adapters would be better. Of course, the present range of Summarits, the 'cheap' lenses with max aperture of f2.5, would probably be better still. Are Leica still manufacturing them? Cheers Jayanand On Sat, Dec 17, 2011 at 5:38 AM, EPL <manolito at videotron.ca> wrote: > M3 bodies are a dime a dozen (or something like that). > > If my name was Brian and this was my list, I'd make ownership of one Leica > M3 body a prerequisite for signing on to the LUG. > > In my opinion, the M3 is the finest expression of the mechanical age. > > Leitz Wetzlar made well over 200,000 M3 bodies. A reasonably nice example > -- any version will do (they are all good) -- can be had for about $500. > Not > bad for an icon right up there with Marilyn, RayBans and the Rolex Sub. > > I'd skip the Summarit. Any 50/2 Summicron wil do better, but try searching > for a collapsible one without front element cleaning marks if you want the > ultimate retro/HCB kit. > > Somehow, though, just about every lens looks just right on an M3. It's THE > body. > > Emanuel > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >