I'm by no means a professional... just a hobbyist. But I've owned a M6TTL, sold it to go to a M9, sold the M9 to get a Q. Picked up an X-Pan and M3 a few years ago as well. Having owned multiple grail cameras (thanks to being blessed with a great career), I think every camera has its pros and cons. For ease of use the M6 is great, but honestly, if given a choice, I don't think I'd sell any of my current cameras towards one. There's something special about the M3 that even the M6 can't do. The viewfinder is by far the best of all the Leicas (I like the slightly blue tint for clarity as well as the .91x magnification for accuracy). Only drawback really is that you have to use a 50mm lens or longer. I also like that it doesn't have a lightmeter. Forcing myself to read exposure for Sunny 16 has taught me a ton about exposure just like using my M6 taught me a ton about composition (thanks film). Hope you enjoy your M3 and use it as a great tool to learn more about this great hobby!
Great video! I too love my M3! You can shoot a35mm lens on the M3 such as the Leitz 35mm with “goggles” that overlay the viewfinder and rangefinder windows, without the need of a separate viewfinder. It works a treat. Lately, however, I’m partial to the 50mm-it works better for my brain’s imagined framing.
Yeah. I'm not sure if I'd be into the goggles. I do love a good 50mm lens though, and have been getting lots of reps in with my M3. Thanks for watching!
Research the Voigtlander lenses. They render very nicely and are affordable. Then you can decide which Leica lens to splash the cash on. I’m glad I bought my M6 til and 35mm summilux in the early 2000s!
I’ve been having to shoot with a M6 since August. I just want to encourage you to try and test a M2 or a M5 before you pull the trigger on it. Both are cameras that are much nicer than the M6. The M6 is great and all but it’s not the amazing, best of the best Leica everyone makes it out to be. And it’s certainly not worth the price they’re asking for these days. The M4 is a nicer version of the M6 but without the meter. It still has brass top plate and no these absolutely ridiculous finder flare issues. The M6 I have now, is freshly serviced from a Leica store and I get a completely washed out rangefinder patch if there’s as much as a slight difference in brightness between the background and the foreground. Also the frame lines are much less accurate than on the older Ms. They really show you much less than the actual focal length you’re using. I haven’t used my 50mm in half a year because it feels like a 65mm in the M6’s finder. You wouldn’t believe how bad the whole finder is since it’s been so hyped up. But compared to the M4 or especially the M5 and M3 it’s just not in the same league. If you enjoy or M4 for giving you all the responsibility by having a reliable and precise finder, don’t get the M6! It’s also weirdly light which causes a few pictures per roll to be slightly slanted because I slant the camera when pushing the shutter button. I’ve also had this issue now where the light meter stops working and I have to push and turn the ASA dial a lot to get it back working again. I never had any of these problems with my M5! It’s always been what Leicas are promised to you are supposed to be. I know it’s big and ugly (on photos, it’s quit nice in person) but it has been designed to be the evolution of the M3. That means it’s reliably, has an amazing finder, great ergonomics, and the best light meter of any M (it has a TTL spot meter). The M6 is a good camera, but it’s not a good dream camera. Not when you’ve already had a better M. I’m sorry really sorry. Get the MP if you’re rich, if not the M2 and M5 are both amazing, expensive feeling classic cameras. Or stick to your M4, it’s better. There is a great, tiny, external light meter by Reveni Labs, if the Leicameters are too bulky for you. I don’t want to discourage anybody who loves their M6, really it’s still a good camera, it’s still a Leica. But it’s not on the same level as the M3, M2, M5, M4, or MP.
@@VariTimo Thanks for hitting me with your experience. You've given me some fantastic insights and have convinced me to look into the other m cameras. I'm surprised to hear about the viewfinder being not so good on the m6. And thanks for the light meter suggestion as well!
Awesome! Love my M3. Keep an eye on the strap lugs every so often. They are made of brass, and wear out / break when using strap lug rings. They are commonly replaced with steel strap lugs during a CLA.
It's so funny watching this video now. I was a photojournalist in the late '80s, and I shot Nikon. I went to an event once covered by a Black Star photographer. I was carrying all my Nikon gear and lighting equipment, and she was carrying a little tiny Leica M4. I assumed one of us was doing something wrong, and by the end of the day, I figured out it was me. Decades go by, and I start back into film photography by buying Canon rangefinders -- Canon P, Canon 7, Canon 7s, etc. and their LTM lenses because I thought I'd never be able to afford a Leica. The Canon cameras worked, but they left something on the table. They just weren't "right." Today, I own a Leica M4-P that is just about mint, and I have an M3 on order that will need work, but I got it way below current market so no problem there. M3s are tanks. My favorite lenses are the TTArtisan 28mm f/5.6, the Canon 35mm f/2.0, the Canon 50mm f/1.4, and a very old Leica 90mm Summicron that KEH thought was "Ugly" but that I think is beautiful. I've been through the digital world and the clinical perfection of modern lenses. I very much prefer the older lenses. There's something about the older stuff that simply can't be replicated. Anyway, loved your video. Love the positivity. Flickr user: Orangecicle
Love the video, made me even more happy about my recent M3 purchase. Made me confirm it´s an amazing camera, but as I see you are also an amazing person. Thanks for sharing your impressions on the camera and the great bonus: inspire me about life. ^_^
Thanks Talya, great video and great that you're enjoying your M3. Don't sell it or at least don't sell it for an M6. If you're going to trade up, go for an MP or MA coupled with a Summicron but not the Apo. The Apo is only worth it if you shoot Digital..
Thanks for your insights. I guess this is why so many film photographers have the Summicron. I'll be making another update video soon on my Leica journey. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the moves I've made. Take care.
Great choices on both the camera and the lens! As far as light meters go, I have a KEKS EM-01 unit that fits nicely on both my Leica IIIf and my Canon P rangefinder cameras. It's light, unobtrusive, accurate, and matches the finish of both cameras well. BTW, I often have the Canon 50mm ƒ1.4 on my Canon and, occasionally, I'll stick it on the Leica. It's a wonderful lens! :)
I used to work at a camera store and picked up two M6 classics for less than what one goes for now. It's insane how much the prices have skyrocketed over just the last couple of years. I ended up selling one of them two years ago now and they are worth $1000 MORE than what I sold it for then. Leica is one of the brands that get's frowned upon by a lot of people due to the price of them and it's kind of warranted right now. When I picked mine up they were far more reasonable to buy. The big plus to the M system is how many good lenses you have at your disposal allowing no need to spend the premium on Leica branded glass.
If there is one thing about owning a Leica. I don’t feel the need to give a shit about new cameras. People can tell me they got the latest Sony and I just sit or stand there phased out. They are expensive but I do notice that people tend to upgrade their bodies every 2 years or their entire setup will cost just as much as a full set up which adds up overtime. Your photos look great by the way.
You’ve been putting out videos for years and I’m just now seeing one of them ...... RUclips Algorithm ....... get it together. Haha ...... Can’t wait to check out more vids!
Congrats on your first Leica Rangefinder! Welcome to the club, happy you made it! Great choice of lens too. People sleep on those LTM Canon lenses... ice cream paint job
I have an M3 [purchased for £800 2 years ago] coupled with a vintage Canon 50mm f1.8 chrome LTM. The lens was only £139 absolute bargain and mint and absolutely beautiful pairing. Man have those prices gone up recently.
I've had an M6 or M3 or MP for over 35 years. M3 is perfect for 50mm, the others for 35mm but overall the M3 is the best viewfinder and the best camera. Stick with sunny16, less gear, better photos, and shooting reversal film you have sufficient latitude to get a good print. I don't want to make you jealous (liar) but I bought a newly refurbished black repainted M3 at a camera fair in Japan for about $700. It looked like a new camera. Why so cheap "because it's not a genuine black M3". I just wanted to take photos.
You have succeeded in making me jealous! That M3 find in Japan at that price is AMAZING. Japan is definitely on my list of places to travel in a few years. The film camera collections they have there are insane. Thanks for watching!
I wanted a Leica, until I saw what could be done with the Pentax 67 and/or the Fuji GW690. I'll eventually get either one, I'm just waiting for the prices to rise a little bit more. 😂
I bought my Leica M6 2010 in mint condition around 1000 Dollar. And in addition the Leica m 35mm summicron IV bokehwonder around 800 Dollars in mint condition. The prices nowadays are insane. My Leica C3 costs me only 190 Dollars. 50mm summicron IV from 1992 only 390 dollars. Leica M4 450 dollars and Leica M4-P around 390 dollars. At that time nobody was interested in film.
Don't get an M6. It's made out of Zinc rather than brass like all previous models. I'm sure you won't need a lightmeter either after using that DS M3 for a year or so.
I've been getting this advice more than I was expecting. Now, I'm feeling curious to compare the two. But my urge to buy the M6 is weakening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love how loads of M3 users say the M6 is $1k more just because it has a light meter and the viewfinder and frame lines suck ass compared to the M3 🤣💯
When you get the M6 don't sell your M3 because I have an M6 but also want an M3. lol Keep all your leica bodies and glass. Oh and PS I have the japenese summilux on my M6 it's my only lens and I love it
I'm by no means a professional... just a hobbyist. But I've owned a M6TTL, sold it to go to a M9, sold the M9 to get a Q. Picked up an X-Pan and M3 a few years ago as well. Having owned multiple grail cameras (thanks to being blessed with a great career), I think every camera has its pros and cons. For ease of use the M6 is great, but honestly, if given a choice, I don't think I'd sell any of my current cameras towards one. There's something special about the M3 that even the M6 can't do. The viewfinder is by far the best of all the Leicas (I like the slightly blue tint for clarity as well as the .91x magnification for accuracy). Only drawback really is that you have to use a 50mm lens or longer. I also like that it doesn't have a lightmeter. Forcing myself to read exposure for Sunny 16 has taught me a ton about exposure just like using my M6 taught me a ton about composition (thanks film). Hope you enjoy your M3 and use it as a great tool to learn more about this great hobby!
Thanks for your insights. I'm looking forward to trying all the Leica cameras you have one day, lol.
Great video! I too love my M3! You can shoot a35mm lens on the M3 such as the Leitz 35mm with “goggles” that overlay the viewfinder and rangefinder windows, without the need of a separate viewfinder. It works a treat. Lately, however, I’m partial to the 50mm-it works better for my brain’s imagined framing.
Yeah. I'm not sure if I'd be into the goggles. I do love a good 50mm lens though, and have been getting lots of reps in with my M3. Thanks for watching!
Research the Voigtlander lenses. They render very nicely and are affordable. Then you can decide which Leica lens to splash the cash on. I’m glad I bought my M6 til and 35mm summilux in the early 2000s!
Traded a Fuji for a M3 last December. Love how it doubles as a personal protection accessory :)
LOL, nice.
Leica m6 is my dream set up. The Leica m4 is my new Leica and I love it. M6 someday :)
Keep me posted on your M6 progress.
I’ve been having to shoot with a M6 since August. I just want to encourage you to try and test a M2 or a M5 before you pull the trigger on it. Both are cameras that are much nicer than the M6. The M6 is great and all but it’s not the amazing, best of the best Leica everyone makes it out to be. And it’s certainly not worth the price they’re asking for these days. The M4 is a nicer version of the M6 but without the meter. It still has brass top plate and no these absolutely ridiculous finder flare issues. The M6 I have now, is freshly serviced from a Leica store and I get a completely washed out rangefinder patch if there’s as much as a slight difference in brightness between the background and the foreground. Also the frame lines are much less accurate than on the older Ms. They really show you much less than the actual focal length you’re using. I haven’t used my 50mm in half a year because it feels like a 65mm in the M6’s finder. You wouldn’t believe how bad the whole finder is since it’s been so hyped up. But compared to the M4 or especially the M5 and M3 it’s just not in the same league. If you enjoy or M4 for giving you all the responsibility by having a reliable and precise finder, don’t get the M6! It’s also weirdly light which causes a few pictures per roll to be slightly slanted because I slant the camera when pushing the shutter button. I’ve also had this issue now where the light meter stops working and I have to push and turn the ASA dial a lot to get it back working again. I never had any of these problems with my M5! It’s always been what Leicas are promised to you are supposed to be. I know it’s big and ugly (on photos, it’s quit nice in person) but it has been designed to be the evolution of the M3. That means it’s reliably, has an amazing finder, great ergonomics, and the best light meter of any M (it has a TTL spot meter). The M6 is a good camera, but it’s not a good dream camera. Not when you’ve already had a better M. I’m sorry really sorry. Get the MP if you’re rich, if not the M2 and M5 are both amazing, expensive feeling classic cameras. Or stick to your M4, it’s better. There is a great, tiny, external light meter by Reveni Labs, if the Leicameters are too bulky for you. I don’t want to discourage anybody who loves their M6, really it’s still a good camera, it’s still a Leica. But it’s not on the same level as the M3, M2, M5, M4, or MP.
@@VariTimo Thanks for hitting me with your experience. You've given me some fantastic insights and have convinced me to look into the other m cameras. I'm surprised to hear about the viewfinder being not so good on the m6. And thanks for the light meter suggestion as well!
Awesome! Love my M3. Keep an eye on the strap lugs every so often. They are made of brass, and wear out / break when using strap lug rings. They are commonly replaced with steel strap lugs during a CLA.
Thanks for the tip.
It's so funny watching this video now. I was a photojournalist in the late '80s, and I shot Nikon. I went to an event once covered by a Black Star photographer. I was carrying all my Nikon gear and lighting equipment, and she was carrying a little tiny Leica M4. I assumed one of us was doing something wrong, and by the end of the day, I figured out it was me. Decades go by, and I start back into film photography by buying Canon rangefinders -- Canon P, Canon 7, Canon 7s, etc. and their LTM lenses because I thought I'd never be able to afford a Leica. The Canon cameras worked, but they left something on the table. They just weren't "right." Today, I own a Leica M4-P that is just about mint, and I have an M3 on order that will need work, but I got it way below current market so no problem there. M3s are tanks. My favorite lenses are the TTArtisan 28mm f/5.6, the Canon 35mm f/2.0, the Canon 50mm f/1.4, and a very old Leica 90mm Summicron that KEH thought was "Ugly" but that I think is beautiful. I've been through the digital world and the clinical perfection of modern lenses. I very much prefer the older lenses. There's something about the older stuff that simply can't be replicated. Anyway, loved your video. Love the positivity. Flickr user: Orangecicle
Love the video, made me even more happy about my recent M3 purchase. Made me confirm it´s an amazing camera, but as I see you are also an amazing person. Thanks for sharing your impressions on the camera and the great bonus: inspire me about life. ^_^
Thanks Talya, great video and great that you're enjoying your M3. Don't sell it or at least don't sell it for an M6. If you're going to trade up, go for an MP or MA coupled with a Summicron but not the Apo. The Apo is only worth it if you shoot Digital..
Thanks for your insights. I guess this is why so many film photographers have the Summicron. I'll be making another update video soon on my Leica journey. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the moves I've made. Take care.
I shoot more with an M6, but I love the M3 for all the same reasons you talked about. Enjoy!
Welcome to the Leica shooter family! Great video!
Love that palm tree shot on Porta, really fantastic!
Great choices on both the camera and the lens! As far as light meters go, I have a KEKS EM-01 unit that fits nicely on both my Leica IIIf and my Canon P rangefinder cameras. It's light, unobtrusive, accurate, and matches the finish of both cameras well. BTW, I often have the Canon 50mm ƒ1.4 on my Canon and, occasionally, I'll stick it on the Leica. It's a wonderful lens! :)
Wonderful images. You have a good eye and style. Love the muted look. Well done!
Love the humor and the advice! Those black and white shots are awesome. I feel like rangefinders shine with B&W film.
Completely agree. Thanks for watching!
wow. a real person on RUclips! keep it up.
I used to work at a camera store and picked up two M6 classics for less than what one goes for now. It's insane how much the prices have skyrocketed over just the last couple of years. I ended up selling one of them two years ago now and they are worth $1000 MORE than what I sold it for then. Leica is one of the brands that get's frowned upon by a lot of people due to the price of them and it's kind of warranted right now. When I picked mine up they were far more reasonable to buy. The big plus to the M system is how many good lenses you have at your disposal allowing no need to spend the premium on Leica branded glass.
So true. I'm looking forward to trying out the glass available for the M mount. Thanks for watching!
Didn’t finish watching yet but I took a look at a few of your B&W photos. Nice work! Congratulations on your new toy 📷
Thank you so much!
You did indeed add value. Well done - and continue to enjoy!
Thank you!
I’m lucky to have the M6 and a very late model. I think the M3 prices are now edging on a standard M6. Enjoyed your rant!! 😊
Look at all those photos! You're inspired! Love it!
😃 Thank you!
Great script writing skills! Well said. I hope you still have the M3.
I do!
If there is one thing about owning a Leica. I don’t feel the need to give a shit about new cameras. People can tell me they got the latest Sony and I just sit or stand there phased out. They are expensive but I do notice that people tend to upgrade their bodies every 2 years or their entire setup will cost just as much as a full set up which adds up overtime. Your photos look great by the way.
Thank you! I feel the same way about new cameras. LOL.
GREAT ADVICE AT THE END
You’ve been putting out videos for years and I’m just now seeing one of them ...... RUclips Algorithm ....... get it together. Haha ...... Can’t wait to check out more vids!
Glad you found the channel and thanks for the support!
Congrats on your first Leica Rangefinder! Welcome to the club, happy you made it! Great choice of lens too. People sleep on those LTM Canon lenses... ice cream paint job
Thank you so much. So far the club is treating me well. 😊
Your B&W photos are so nice. Too bad you don't show more photos of this quality !
Sounds like a back handed compliment to me. 🤔 but thanks for watching.
I shoot Leica too, keep pushing the positive vibrations into this universe!!
😊
I have an M3 [purchased for £800 2 years ago] coupled with a vintage Canon 50mm f1.8 chrome LTM. The lens was only £139 absolute bargain and mint and absolutely beautiful pairing. Man have those prices gone up recently.
I've had an M6 or M3 or MP for over 35 years. M3 is perfect for 50mm, the others for 35mm but overall the M3 is the best viewfinder and the best camera. Stick with sunny16, less gear, better photos, and shooting reversal film you have sufficient latitude to get a good print. I don't want to make you jealous (liar) but I bought a newly refurbished black repainted M3 at a camera fair in Japan for about $700. It looked like a new camera. Why so cheap "because it's not a genuine black M3". I just wanted to take photos.
You have succeeded in making me jealous! That M3 find in Japan at that price is AMAZING. Japan is definitely on my list of places to travel in a few years. The film camera collections they have there are insane. Thanks for watching!
@@TalyaAdams typo by me: I meant print film not reversal!
I wanted a Leica, until I saw what could be done with the Pentax 67 and/or the Fuji GW690. I'll eventually get either one, I'm just waiting for the prices to rise a little bit more. 😂
I always use RED or a ORANGE FILTER for black and white photography
I just got an orange filter. So, I'll be trying it out soon.
I consider myself a 35mm focal length guy. But I am seriously considering switching to 50mm strictly goes the m3
Congratulations on the M3!!!
😊 🙏
Hi Talya. You will get your M6 some day. For sure.
Congratulations! Enjoy 😊
Thanks!
I bought my Leica M6 2010 in mint condition around 1000 Dollar. And in addition the Leica m 35mm summicron IV bokehwonder around 800 Dollars in mint condition. The prices nowadays are insane. My Leica C3 costs me only 190 Dollars. 50mm summicron IV from 1992 only 390 dollars. Leica M4 450 dollars and Leica M4-P around 390 dollars.
At that time nobody was interested in film.
That's crazy how much these cameras inflate in price over time. Good of you to buy while the prices were reasonable.
Lucky duck lmao that's bananas
Yess congrats!!
Thank you 😊
What lens and film did you use for 11:55? Just Amazing
Great！！！
The M3 is the best tool. Leica be the vid!
can't wait for our rangefinder walk to compare that to the canon p
I'm curious too!
Don't sell it. There's a finite number of them. Even if you stop using it, keep it. Shoot it to keep things moving once in a while if you retire it. 🙂
Do you develope film with Rodinal?
I do not. I use F76+ and the moment. Sometimes LMax developer as well.
Have you considered any of the voigtlander lenses?
I have not yet looked into the voigtlander lenses. I do know they are a popular option.
@@TalyaAdams ya and they're plenty affordable. I've had my eye on the 40mm 1.4 for my CLE
Don't get an M6. It's made out of Zinc rather than brass like all previous models. I'm sure you won't need a lightmeter either after using that DS M3 for a year or so.
I've been getting this advice more than I was expecting. Now, I'm feeling curious to compare the two. But my urge to buy the M6 is weakening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love how loads of M3 users say the M6 is $1k more just because it has a light meter and the viewfinder and frame lines suck ass compared to the M3 🤣💯
Congrats
Congrats on m3 butt lens… hmmm hopefully you upgrade soon! Keep shooting
When you get the M6 don't sell your M3 because I have an M6 but also want an M3. lol Keep all your leica bodies and glass. Oh and PS I have the japenese summilux on my M6 it's my only lens and I love it
Congratulations ! Never sell it.
That's the plan. 😊
Look at m mount 7 artisan lenses. They are made in China but apparently they copied traditional designs
Will do!
lol--I ran the numbers...all the numbers...
It’s about time for crying out loud.
no images!
I’m lucky to have the M6 and a very late model. I think the M3 prices are now edging on a standard M6. Enjoyed your rant!! 😊
I’m lucky to have the M6 and a very late model. I think the M3 prices are now edging on a standard M6. Enjoyed your rant!! 😊
I’m lucky to have the M6 and a very late model. I think the M3 prices are now edging on a standard M6. Enjoyed your rant!! 😊