In this video I talk about the history of the Leica M3 and the Legacy it has in photography. I also give a close up look at the camera and share some insight on how to become a better rangefinder shooter.
Found this channel last night because I've had the itch for a film camera. Watched a bunch of your videos which ended up on this Leica M3 somewhere around 1am... It's now 10:30am and I've found someone local selling an M3 that I'm meeting at my lunch time to buy. I'm not sure how this happened but I haven't felt this excited in a while!
@@ForesthillFilmLab he has the sumarit 5cm 1.5 on it and its a double stroke. He also has a 90 f4 but I'm really scared when it comes to focusing a telefoto lens on a manual everything camera. Although I'm intrigued because I shoot primarily 90 2.8 portraits in my studio with my motorless cam. Do you have any thoughts on a 90 f4 on this machine? I'm wondering if I should just skip it and look out for a 90 2.8 to match my studio setup but at the same time I'm scared to even miss focus that wide on a telefoto lol
Update: Ok so I got it! He was charging a lot for it considering it's condition but I got him to throw in a the light meter as well. Paid $1,600 but I feel ok with it because the lens looked as clean as one I see on ebay for $699. So I'm not tripping too bad. I did notice some inconsistencies with yours and other youtubers though. For example, it doesn't have the lever to do the 9cm preview, have to put on a 9cm lens for that. And the rewind nob only has 1 red dot instead of two. The rest is equivalent. I guess older models were like that? I'm liking the double stroke too. Now I'm looking for a sweet strap for this b*tch and a good deal on a 9cm lens cuz f' it why not... But first, gotta find some examples of film to use!
Even for someone who knows the M3 through years of experience the last 7 minutes or so of your video are very much worth watching. Excellent video, thanks.
I got an M3 from 1955 (DS) last year in absolute mint condition and although I shoot with it from time to time, it's been sitting on my desk quite a bit as I've been seing it more like a jewel than the incredible tool it can be. Your comments make me want to use it more and "burn through that shit" as you say. I am committed to use it like mad now and whatever I produce with it will be in part thanks to you. And by the way, your videos are BY FAR the best when it comes to film photography. Your passion clearly comes through and one can tell you are an actual film photographer who actually uses and enjoys his gear. Anyway, please keep it up. You truly are an inspiration to many and a lot of creative work is being produced by all of us simply because of your commitment and passion!
Dude!! Killed it with this one! But did anyone else laugh at 8:00 when he held that camera up to his eye and said “A big ass viewfinder, THE BIGGEST!!” Haha mannnn love seeing your videos!
It's worth remembering the the M3 did not replace the screw thread Barnack cameras. The IIIF and later the IIIG which had a much improved viewfinder, took the Barncack leicas right up to about 1960. My M3 is a 1955 dual stroke and I love using it.
Congrats on the M3 Travis. Man, one of my favorite cameras; and you're right, such a unique shooting experience. So rewarding. I've been shooting mostly with my M6 these days, but I think I'll change it up and do more with my M3 again. Shooting without a meter is so liberating. And gotta love the double-stroke. I've got a small shutter curtain issue I need to have adjusted; at high shutter speeds the left edge of the image is a little darker. I'll send it over to Youxin next week. But in spite of the issue, I think I'll go out and shoot a roll of Tri-X with it today. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your videos, man!
Ted Vieira hell yea that’s awesome. Let me know how youxin does with her. I’d like to send my camera off to him sometime because as you could see from the video it’s a bit dirty hah. Let me know how shooting the M3 goes. For me it’s the only way to go!
As said before it's right that the M-Series started with the number 3 because of the three framelines it can show in the finder. The "M" simply originates from the german word "Messsucher" which means rangefinder. So Messsucher 3 makes quite some sense. The later M2 just was a "downgraded" model that already was in planing when the M3 was released. Funny enough the M2 with its "flatter" face represents also the original design planed for the M3. But Leica officials decided that the flagship model could use a more fancy design which lead to the additional frames around the windows. Unfortunately they only found out later when the production had started that the M3 top plate was a nightmare to mass produce because it took nearly 45 minutes of hand polishing to get the surface smooth with all the frames and lines. So they chose the M2 design (or the original M3 draft) for all future cameras. To make the M2 look even more "cheap" they also added the external frame counter although it was no real cost saving factor in the production. The M1 finally was a somewhat castrated version of the M3 aimed to the lady photographer (at least that is what the ads of that time suggest) Although it was still called a "M" camera it lacks all the "M" there is because they eliminated the rangefinder and only installed a simple viewfinder with a fixed 50mm frameline. Focusing had to be done by judging or by using the scale on the lens. To round things up the M4 was the first "new" camera after the M3. With its mechanics optimized for a leaner production it is wrongly called a "cheap" Leica. But in reality every "improvement" found in the M4 lived on in the M6. After the M4 the whole M-story became subject to luck, randomness and strange decisions anyway. :-) I heard bad people say that Leica is the best at doing the wrong thing by mistake to get to the right point ;-)
Man, I can't get enough of your content. Always interesting, always informative. I have gotten into medium format film because of you and a few other channels. Thanks.
I bought a Pentax 6X7 with the 135 f/4 lens. I've done almost exclusively portrait work with it, and I'm learning how to develop all my black and white film. It's so great to have channels like yours where there is so much valuable information, it makes a world of difference. I've been a Nikon digital shooter for twelve years and still do the bulk of my shooting with digital, but this whole film experience is addictive as hell. Now I'm saving up for an M3! Also, what do you think is this best budget medium format kit for street work?
I totally agree with you, who needs a light meter and as you have explained before use the sunny 16 rule its simple and enjoy the experience and trust yourself,love your up front and straight forward videos.
Great Video. Many thanks! I just received my M3 ( double stroke) my grandfather bought 1956. Your video is a nice inspiration for me, to use my camera in the way it was build for: shoot - not wait :-) All the best from Bavaria. Germany
I totally agree, that it doesn't make too much sense to have more lenses than one with a Leica. This camera excells, when you are totally used to everything including the lens and the look it gives you. That's when you can be extremely quick, even with only manual controls.
akimlaszek yes the Leica is all about feeling and knowing what your camera is gonna give you every time. Because of this constant changing the lens will only make it more difficult to be completely in tune with your camera. This ain’t an slr that you can see every difference when changing a lens and adjust accordingly.
Have an M2-R; use the SBOOI 50mm external viewfinder, a carry over from my iiif, for quick ‘street’ shots (1X magnification). The M2 coupled with the 50mm DR Summicron is the perfect fit for me; no desire to own any other camera/lens setup (except more M2-Rs). Just to note, 50mm frame line in M2 is good for us saddled with glasses. Also, while the M3 is the iconic Leica camera, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Robert Capa, Alfred Eisenstaedt, and other notables did some of their best work with the venerable Barnack models. For folks wanting to try a classic Leica without investing as much for an M, the thread-mount Barnacks are a great option.
Great comments on the M3. I have one , as with you I use 50 mm perspective mostly I then bought an older Leica 90 mm2.8 mostly for head shoulder portraits. I just ordered a 35 mm voightlander m mount as I realized if you don't need glasses and you mash your eye right up to the viewfinder the total viewfinder outside the 50 frame line is very close to 35. Don't like the goggles option. I really like the small sizes of m glass , now I have slight wide normal and tele in a small light weight package. Regarding no meter Learning to pay more attention to the light and learn your light readings also keeps you in the moment better👍
Your point about mastering the 50mm lens is very well taken. I’m anxious to see the upcoming documentary on Garry Winogrand which will reinforce your review here. Excellent video, as always. Thanks for sharing!
I used my Minolta CLE in the exact same way. I got it with the 40mm lens antitcipating to get a 28 and a 40 later on. Sticking with just 40mm was much more practical. If I used a 28 on the camera I would have gotten close to simply using the full rangefinder, however the focal length is too extreme for me. This is also why I got rid of my CLE in the end, it had options I didn't turn out to actually want.
Thanks for the great video, truly enjoyed it and sums up all why I got the M3. I noticed that when you load the film, you insert it all the way through the perforated arrow on the spindle. If I do that, there is no way I can rewind the film all the way into the canister , it s just stuck on the spindle. Or , do you just leave the tail on the spindle until you opened the camera?
Strange. My M2 can spool it up all the way into the canister. It wont hurt anything though to have the tail exposed, since it is burnt anyway from loading.
ForesthillFilmLab exactly, although i have played with the idea of an external viewfinder on an older leica, since they look so much better keep up your good work, always love watching your videos and hearing your tips and oppinions
I almost bought an M3 but with my glasses I could not see the 50mm frame lines. I picked up an M2 instead and couldn't be happier. I use mostly 50mm and the occasional 90mm lens.
I think it was labelled the M3 because it had masks for three different focal lengths in the viewfinder/rangefinder (M for messucher, or rangefinder) - The M1 and M2 had fewer. Or so I heard...
@@carloscorona2423 I am going to pick up my M3 tomorrow. Also still interested in the M6! 😄 They are both so great it's hard to choose. You use the M6 with the 35 ?
Great review! Looks like the M3 really is a fantastic camera. Especially if you like to shoot 50mm. I am in doubt since I love to shoot the 35. It looks like I have to choose: getting a M3 and getting used to that 50, getting a different Leica and use the 35 or use the 35 on the M3 which might not be most ideal. Thanks again! Subbed and liked! :)
Just adding a bit to the historical part: Until the M3 and the new M mount lenses (calculated with the first commercially used and extremely expensive computer in West Germany(!)) Zeiss Contax was the superior system in both the camera specs and the lens quality. (Coupled rangefinder, 1/1250s, metal shutter which wont be burnt by sunlight, the best wide angles e.g. Biogon 21mm) What kept Leica competitive were lower prices and having the patents on the horizontal focal plane shutter mechanism which allowed them to construct in the philosophy of "as little as possible, as much as necessary" whilst the Contaxes were overly complicated and more prone to failing, especially the first model.
ive been watching yt videos on how to shoot a leica M3 and i’m confused about how to know which m3 is singlestroke vs doublestroke? and what’s the difference?
Hi Travis, great review as always. I recently purchased an M3 SS/Dual Range 50mm Summicron and have shot a few rolls of Kodak TX400 over longer period of time (goes against your wise recommendation). Anyway, only about 10% of my shots are decent. Hence, I believe the camera/lense are working fine, but my low success is related to me the operator (I am rusty and prior experience is with Nikon F2). Despite applying Sunny-16 (great review on your site), I think my chances will improve with a hand held light meter. Can you provide recommendation, especially if light meter is used for landscape photos (e.g. distant mountain, streams, and lakes). Thanks!!
Thanks for all your great videos. I've learned an incredible amount. Cannot yet justify (afford :) a Leica. But I love the 50's rangefinders. Have you ever tried a fixed lens rangefinder --- the Konica llla? I am blown away by the huge viewfinder, build quality, handling and Hexanon lens.
I'm currently shooting a Canon P with the famous " Japanese sunmicron" while I save for a genuine Leica body and lens m3 and m4-2 are in the lead for my choices!
24:55 "it's my Leica, it's special..." Made me laugh, owned few M3 until I discovered I prefer 35mm focal length, been happily shooting a M4 since. Agree on meterless Leica and cameras in general, it's rewarding to get the shot based entirely on your skills.
The part where he denied M6 is also quite fun, so apparently it is not a true leica because it put some delayed metering functions.... btw I have very similar experience with you, and my choice is M2 which is cheaper with a simpler viewfinder, you can give it a try~
Thanks a bunch for this Travis - and also your sunny 16 video earlier...There's one thing in particular, as a beginner with these manual cameras, that i cant quite get my head around - i get the sunny 16 rule (leave the shutter speed dial alone and change aperture for light conditions) and also equivalent exposure BUT : say i have 400 film loaded so set my shutter speed dial on the m3 to 500 and aperture f11 because it's soft sunny - if i wanted to change to f4 for depth of field reasons where can my shutter speed dial go cos the limit is 1000 ? Thanks buddy
Mic Warmington it can’t go anywhere. In photography we call that a “constraint” it’s a limit to your cameras settings that ultimately leaves you with less options. You have to realize that before digital cameras we didn’t get to shoot wide open whenever the hell we wanted. If you wanted to shoot wide open in the day time you need to determine that before loading film and use a 50 iso film or something slow enough to accommodate an overload of light. I don’t shoot with the thought in mind that I can be wide open whenever I want because you simply cannot.
Hey Travis. I’m trying to find a zone focusing video on RUclips that doesn’t blow. Doesn’t exist. Your exposure video was great. Can you do the same for zone focusing? Your videos are fantastic.
Great upload! This was very informative. I really don’t think you could have done the M3 any better justice. Question: may I ask what strap you’re using on it and what soft shutter release you’re using? The leather looks great!
Jared Tennant is the strap is from Lucida straps. I found it on Etsy and I think I paid maybe $30?! And customized it with the leather protectors on the rings and everything. The soft release is from @themoregooder he makes a huge variety and his prices are not stupid. You can buy three or four for the price of one of the more artisan brands. Highly recommended!
By the way I absolutely love your videos and if you (or anyone else reading this) ever should get your hands on a Voigtländer Vitessa L with Ultron lens definitely try it out. While not entirely on the level of a M3 it still is a high quality folding, parallax-corrected rangefinder camera with a unique film advance, leaf shutter, thumb wheel focusing (which is awesome) and lens thats on the same level as a Summicron but costs only a fraction of the price of a M3. It will always be my go-to 50mm camera. Greetings from Germany.
thanks travis - i get it...it's possible in theory but not in practice due to the limits of the camera make up... how about this - say i have 400 film loaded and so am at 1/500 and then choose f8 for light levels - if the light levels go darker, instead of changing 2 stops to f4 could i change shutter speed to 1/100 therefore keeping the same aperture ?
Mic Warmington yes precisely. Every stop is 1:1 aperture or shutter or iso. Every step is the same as any other step. Opening the aperture one stop is the same as slowing a shutter speed down one setting and the same as the difference of 100 iso to 200 iso film
hi travis - on the same subject, sort of...i'm outside with my m3 using the sunny 16 rule , usually with 400 film - how should i change settings if i go inside into a cafe, bar, library wherever ? thanks man.
hey Travis, great show as always. I was wondering if I could get the name of that book that you were looking through, I have fallen in love with film over the last year and it looks like a book that I would like to own. thanks
Lorne Newman www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1402756569/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all Here it is. Get a used hardcover. The prices on it are insane!
I am using sometimes a Leica 3a and it is also a pain in the ass to load it with Film, because the only access is form the bottom... Isn't that changed with the M-series, too?
I have the same, a 1936 iiia. The trick is to trim your film leader to size in advance. Using specially prepared film leaders I find it faster to load than my M2.
Yo bro you are the shit fam....I just bought a Leica M5 (Black) and I am new to shooting film is this a good starting camera ? and what 50mm should I get ?
Long time ago but I came over yr video tdy ☺. Hope you are fine in 2022. Bro: I own a M2 and I use it because it has the 35mm frame lines and I use 35mm as my standard lens... and the counter realy doesn't matter. If the film is full, you will feel it 😉. Not shure if you would do this "emotional" vid in 2022 😂😂. Anyway: Stay safe my friend!
Hello, I have the same camera book I bought in a store that was closing the doors forever, I paid $ 5 for it and is a very nice book with a lot of information about classic cameras, I have a question could you tell me how to solve or compensate the parallax error in a leica iiif ??, I mean? How should I shoot to avoid it? thanks for your videos are very motivating.
Hey Oscar. I have a Leica iiia so have had the same problem you're experiencing. The answer is to use an external viewfinder that has parallax compensation. You could guess with the camera viewfinder and just frame a little lower (when shooting horizontally) or frame looser to be sure of including everything. It only really becomes an issue at distances closer than 2 metres. Probably the cheapest option is to buy a Russian turret viewfinder which has distance markings on it so that you can adjust it for parallax.
Thnx for this video! Wanna tell ya about what you said in the video about tha screw in the front and that it was just on the M3. I saw that M2 has that screw too and it is not bout the screw but the M3 and M2 difference is that M2 front is flat nad M2 is not as it appears on different pics. @ForesthillFilmLab
Slyest Fox yes I do! Buy one with shitty leather! Because mine had shitty leather. I used it anyways. It literally crumbled off (like many M3 leather does) and I spent like $25 in a beautiful replacement leather. Did it myself and increased the overall value of the camera immediately. No tools needed either!! So that’s my advice! Save a few hundred on a body and make up for it with $25 leather.
@@ForesthillFilmLab Thanks! And you otherwise find eBay to be a suitable place? Or elsewhere? Also, do you send them off for a service when you get them, or have they all been generally fine?
Interesting Video. Leica's are awesome. Winogrand shot with a 35mm from time to time. Just change things up. most of his work was done with a 28mm. Also - he shot all of his film on Tri-x. I use a 35 mm on my rangefinder. 50mm for me is more of a slr lens. Thanks for sharing your style. Also - how come you have owned three?
I use auto-focus, exposure compensation, and built in light metering with mine. WTF are you on about mate??? It only has shutter speed and aperture. ISO is fixed by your film type. The cool thing is- There are no settings. ;-)
Great vid...love the 'no pussyfooting'...I shoot a '53 doublestroke M3 with a Voigt 50 Nokt and just love it. But I promise I'll speed up for a bunch of rolls you're dead right on moving and flow with a M3...I've got to get my bulkloader going so I stop doing the $$math!!!
Cool informative video, but Im dying to know who this Gary Whittagraham or Winnagraham is but nothing comes up, and the subtitles don't help, could you spell it out if you don't mind so we know who you're talking about.
Кино
Found this channel last night because I've had the itch for a film camera. Watched a bunch of your videos which ended up on this Leica M3 somewhere around 1am... It's now 10:30am and I've found someone local selling an M3 that I'm meeting at my lunch time to buy. I'm not sure how this happened but I haven't felt this excited in a while!
Richard Sumilang hell yea man that’s so exciting to hear. You’re gonna love the M3! What kind of lens is on it!?
@@ForesthillFilmLab he has the sumarit 5cm 1.5 on it and its a double stroke. He also has a 90 f4 but I'm really scared when it comes to focusing a telefoto lens on a manual everything camera. Although I'm intrigued because I shoot primarily 90 2.8 portraits in my studio with my motorless cam. Do you have any thoughts on a 90 f4 on this machine? I'm wondering if I should just skip it and look out for a 90 2.8 to match my studio setup but at the same time I'm scared to even miss focus that wide on a telefoto lol
Update: Ok so I got it! He was charging a lot for it considering it's condition but I got him to throw in a the light meter as well. Paid $1,600 but I feel ok with it because the lens looked as clean as one I see on ebay for $699. So I'm not tripping too bad. I did notice some inconsistencies with yours and other youtubers though. For example, it doesn't have the lever to do the 9cm preview, have to put on a 9cm lens for that. And the rewind nob only has 1 red dot instead of two. The rest is equivalent. I guess older models were like that? I'm liking the double stroke too. Now I'm looking for a sweet strap for this b*tch and a good deal on a 9cm lens cuz f' it why not... But first, gotta find some examples of film to use!
so great your way to explain to feel the spirit of this camera
Even for someone who knows the M3 through years of experience the last 7 minutes or so of your video are very much worth watching. Excellent video, thanks.
I got an M3 from 1955 (DS) last year in absolute mint condition and although I shoot with it from time to time, it's been sitting on my desk quite a bit as I've been seing it more like a jewel than the incredible tool it can be. Your comments make me want to use it more and "burn through that shit" as you say. I am committed to use it like mad now and whatever I produce with it will be in part thanks to you. And by the way, your videos are BY FAR the best when it comes to film photography. Your passion clearly comes through and one can tell you are an actual film photographer who actually uses and enjoys his gear. Anyway, please keep it up. You truly are an inspiration to many and a lot of creative work is being produced by all of us simply because of your commitment and passion!
Dude!! Killed it with this one! But did anyone else laugh at 8:00 when he held that camera up to his eye and said “A big ass viewfinder, THE BIGGEST!!” Haha mannnn love seeing your videos!
KingJvpes i'm laughing for that tooo hahhahaha
It's worth remembering the the M3 did not replace the screw thread Barnack cameras. The IIIF and later the IIIG which had a much improved viewfinder, took the Barncack leicas right up to about 1960. My M3 is a 1955 dual stroke and I love using it.
Congrats on the M3 Travis. Man, one of my favorite cameras; and you're right, such a unique shooting experience. So rewarding. I've been shooting mostly with my M6 these days, but I think I'll change it up and do more with my M3 again. Shooting without a meter is so liberating. And gotta love the double-stroke. I've got a small shutter curtain issue I need to have adjusted; at high shutter speeds the left edge of the image is a little darker. I'll send it over to Youxin next week. But in spite of the issue, I think I'll go out and shoot a roll of Tri-X with it today. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your videos, man!
Ted Vieira hell yea that’s awesome. Let me know how youxin does with her. I’d like to send my camera off to him sometime because as you could see from the video it’s a bit dirty hah. Let me know how shooting the M3 goes. For me it’s the only way to go!
Sup Ted. You have the M3 now too? nice!
@@ShootStreetTV Ted does. And I have seen his work with it. It's like fine wine, the finest wine.
As said before it's right that the M-Series started with the number 3 because of the three framelines it can show in the finder. The "M" simply originates from the german word "Messsucher" which means rangefinder. So Messsucher 3 makes quite some sense. The later M2 just was a "downgraded" model that already was in planing when the M3 was released. Funny enough the M2 with its "flatter" face represents also the original design planed for the M3. But Leica officials decided that the flagship model could use a more fancy design which lead to the additional frames around the windows. Unfortunately they only found out later when the production had started that the M3 top plate was a nightmare to mass produce because it took nearly 45 minutes of hand polishing to get the surface smooth with all the frames and lines. So they chose the M2 design (or the original M3 draft) for all future cameras. To make the M2 look even more "cheap" they also added the external frame counter although it was no real cost saving factor in the production. The M1 finally was a somewhat castrated version of the M3 aimed to the lady photographer (at least that is what the ads of that time suggest) Although it was still called a "M" camera it lacks all the "M" there is because they eliminated the rangefinder and only installed a simple viewfinder with a fixed 50mm frameline. Focusing had to be done by judging or by using the scale on the lens. To round things up the M4 was the first "new" camera after the M3. With its mechanics optimized for a leaner production it is wrongly called a "cheap" Leica. But in reality every "improvement" found in the M4 lived on in the M6. After the M4 the whole M-story became subject to luck, randomness and strange decisions anyway. :-) I heard bad people say that Leica is the best at doing the wrong thing by mistake to get to the right point ;-)
Fascinating commet, thank you for sharing
I love your passion and am glad you’re back releasing videos.
Great video! I have had my M3 for 39 years. I still use it and it leaves everything in the dust.
the leica m3 is a legendary and its legacy is truly amazing
congrats on the m3
thanks for sharing really enjoyed watching this
Man, I can't get enough of your content. Always interesting, always informative. I have gotten into medium format film because of you and a few other channels. Thanks.
John Koster Hell yea thank you for the awesome compliment! What camera did you get and what kind of film are you loading up?!
I bought a Pentax 6X7 with the 135 f/4 lens. I've done almost exclusively portrait work with it, and I'm learning how to develop all my black and white film. It's so great to have channels like yours where there is so much valuable information, it makes a world of difference. I've been a Nikon digital shooter for twelve years and still do the bulk of my shooting with digital, but this whole film experience is addictive as hell. Now I'm saving up for an M3! Also, what do you think is this best budget medium format kit for street work?
I love your passion for photography and history.
I have the same combination and is just fantastic! Thanks for sharing!!
Congrats on a great video about a great camera. Love my M3 with its DR ''cron. Welcome back.
As usual, very educational. Thanks!
I totally agree with you, who needs a light meter and as you have explained before use the sunny 16 rule its simple and enjoy the experience and trust yourself,love your up front and straight forward videos.
Great Video. Many thanks! I just received my M3 ( double stroke) my grandfather bought 1956. Your video is a nice inspiration for me, to use my camera in the way it was build for: shoot - not wait :-)
All the best from Bavaria. Germany
Thank you for this. Love your videos.
Love your videos and as others have said, your passion. 👍😊
noonsound thank you so much 🙏🏻
Very, very enjoyable presentation. Thank you again. RS. Canada
I totally agree, that it doesn't make too much sense to have more lenses than one with a Leica. This camera excells, when you are totally used to everything including the lens and the look it gives you. That's when you can be extremely quick, even with only manual controls.
akimlaszek yes the Leica is all about feeling and knowing what your camera is gonna give you every time. Because of this constant changing the lens will only make it more difficult to be completely in tune with your camera. This ain’t an slr that you can see every difference when changing a lens and adjust accordingly.
Really enjoyed listening to your passion Travis.
glennskitchen thank you so much! Hopefully it gets ya stoked to burn through a roll!
Very enjoyable and informative. Thank you A+
I think the best review of the M3 that I've seen ...... Also , I totally agree with your thoughts on light meters ...... Well done !!!!
Have an M2-R; use the SBOOI 50mm external viewfinder, a carry over from my iiif, for quick ‘street’ shots (1X magnification). The M2 coupled with the 50mm DR Summicron is the perfect fit for me; no desire to own any other camera/lens setup (except more M2-Rs). Just to note, 50mm frame line in M2 is good for us saddled with glasses.
Also, while the M3 is the iconic Leica camera, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Robert Capa, Alfred Eisenstaedt, and other notables did some of their best work with the venerable Barnack models. For folks wanting to try a classic Leica without investing as much for an M, the thread-mount Barnacks are a great option.
Great comments on the M3. I have one , as with you I use 50 mm perspective mostly I then bought an older Leica 90 mm2.8 mostly for head shoulder portraits. I just ordered a 35 mm voightlander m mount as I realized if you don't need glasses and you mash your eye right up to the viewfinder the total viewfinder outside the 50 frame line is very close to 35. Don't like the goggles option. I really like the small sizes of m glass , now I have slight wide normal and tele in a small light weight package. Regarding no meter Learning to pay more attention to the light and learn your light readings also keeps you in the moment better👍
Great video. Thank you.
Just got mines! Gonna restore this gem 🤩
Finally, someone who have the same point of view as I about M3. Amazing camera! Period. Hehe.
Really enjoy your videos my friend
Enjoyed this, thanks
Your point about mastering the 50mm lens is very well taken. I’m anxious to see the upcoming documentary on Garry Winogrand which will reinforce your review here. Excellent video, as always. Thanks for sharing!
Charles Saadiq Bresson also used 50mm
I believe winngrand did use 1 Lens but
primarily used wide angle 28
Man, I miss you. From years ago. Hope you are well.
I used my Minolta CLE in the exact same way. I got it with the 40mm lens antitcipating to get a 28 and a 40 later on. Sticking with just 40mm was much more practical. If I used a 28 on the camera I would have gotten close to simply using the full rangefinder, however the focal length is too extreme for me.
This is also why I got rid of my CLE in the end, it had options I didn't turn out to actually want.
Great video. Thanks..
My M3 viewfinder got all black after a fall, any idea what it is and if it's bad? Thanks!
Until now I'm contax (G1) guy, I'd like to buy M3 as you said "because of it's legacy.
Thanks for the great video, truly enjoyed it and sums up all why I got the M3. I noticed that when you load the film, you insert it all the way through the perforated arrow on the spindle. If I do that, there is no way I can rewind the film all the way into the canister , it s just stuck on the spindle. Or , do you just leave the tail on the spindle until you opened the camera?
Strange. My M2 can spool it up all the way into the canister. It wont hurt anything though to have the tail exposed, since it is burnt anyway from loading.
Excelleeeeent!!!
Summarized just perfectly.
What is the title of the mentioned book?
Great video! I'd love an M3 or M2, but my M6 has my beloved 28mm frame lines.
Florian Cueni everybody has a body that’s perfect for them. That 28mm lens is a hard one to accommodate
ForesthillFilmLab exactly, although i have played with the idea of an external viewfinder on an older leica, since they look so much better
keep up your good work, always love watching your videos and hearing your tips and oppinions
I have an m6 too, but being a glasses wearer, the 28 frame is pretty much useless...
Who was the photographer he mentioned?
24:21 the advice I (we) need it!
I almost bought an M3 but with my glasses I could not see the 50mm frame lines. I picked up an M2 instead and couldn't be happier. I use mostly 50mm and the occasional 90mm lens.
M2 is better than the M3.
cool lens hood - where did you get it ?
I think it was labelled the M3 because it had masks for three different focal lengths in the viewfinder/rangefinder (M for messucher, or rangefinder) - The M1 and M2 had fewer. Or so I heard...
Man i was looking at a M6 but you made me consider the M3 now
What did you choose? M6 or M3? :)
@@aantomop4795 got a M6 =/ Still want a M3 though.
@@carloscorona2423 I am going to pick up my M3 tomorrow. Also still interested in the M6! 😄 They are both so great it's hard to choose.
You use the M6 with the 35 ?
@@aantomop4795 I know!!! I use my M6 with a 28mm voightlander ultron though
Great review!
Looks like the M3 really is a fantastic camera. Especially if you like to shoot 50mm. I am in doubt since I love to shoot the 35. It looks like I have to choose: getting a M3 and getting used to that 50, getting a different Leica and use the 35 or use the 35 on the M3 which might not be most ideal.
Thanks again!
Subbed and liked! :)
Thanks again! (M4 owner and, yup, Weston Master III, IV owner.)
Pretend like it’s 1980! Excellent.
THANKS!
Just adding a bit to the historical part:
Until the M3 and the new M mount lenses (calculated with the first commercially used and extremely expensive computer in West Germany(!)) Zeiss Contax was the superior system in both the camera specs and the lens quality. (Coupled rangefinder, 1/1250s, metal shutter which wont be burnt by sunlight, the best wide angles e.g. Biogon 21mm)
What kept Leica competitive were lower prices and having the patents on the horizontal focal plane shutter mechanism which allowed them to construct in the philosophy of "as little as possible, as much as necessary" whilst the Contaxes were overly complicated and more prone to failing, especially the first model.
ive been watching yt videos on how to shoot a leica M3 and i’m confused about how to know which m3 is singlestroke vs doublestroke? and what’s the difference?
Hi Travis, great review as always. I recently purchased an M3 SS/Dual Range 50mm Summicron and have shot a few rolls of Kodak TX400 over longer period of time (goes against your wise recommendation). Anyway, only about 10% of my shots are decent. Hence, I believe the camera/lense are working fine, but my low success is related to me the operator (I am rusty and prior experience is with Nikon F2). Despite applying Sunny-16 (great review on your site), I think my chances will improve with a hand held light meter. Can you provide recommendation, especially if light meter is used for landscape photos (e.g. distant mountain, streams, and lakes). Thanks!!
Thanks for all your great videos. I've learned an incredible amount. Cannot yet justify (afford :) a Leica. But I love the 50's rangefinders. Have you ever tried a fixed lens rangefinder --- the Konica llla? I am blown away by the huge viewfinder, build quality, handling and Hexanon lens.
The viewfinder of the voigtländer vitomatic 2a is also huge
What do you think about the M2?
I'm currently shooting a Canon P with the famous " Japanese sunmicron" while I save for a genuine Leica body and lens m3 and m4-2 are in the lead for my choices!
24:55 "it's my Leica, it's special..." Made me laugh, owned few M3 until I discovered I prefer 35mm focal length, been happily shooting a M4 since. Agree on meterless Leica and cameras in general, it's rewarding to get the shot based entirely on your skills.
The part where he denied M6 is also quite fun, so apparently it is not a true leica because it put some delayed metering functions.... btw I have very similar experience with you, and my choice is M2 which is cheaper with a simpler viewfinder, you can give it a try~
What is the the title of that Kodak book?
Thanks a bunch for this Travis - and also your sunny 16 video earlier...There's one thing in particular, as a beginner with these manual cameras, that i cant quite get my head around -
i get the sunny 16 rule (leave the shutter speed dial alone and change aperture for light conditions) and also equivalent exposure BUT : say i have 400 film loaded so set my shutter speed dial on the m3 to 500 and aperture f11 because it's soft sunny - if i wanted to change to f4 for depth of field reasons where can my shutter speed dial go cos the limit is 1000 ? Thanks buddy
Mic Warmington it can’t go anywhere. In photography we call that a “constraint” it’s a limit to your cameras settings that ultimately leaves you with less options. You have to realize that before digital cameras we didn’t get to shoot wide open whenever the hell we wanted. If you wanted to shoot wide open in the day time you need to determine that before loading film and use a 50 iso film or something slow enough to accommodate an overload of light. I don’t shoot with the thought in mind that I can be wide open whenever I want because you simply cannot.
You'll need an ND filter.
Hey Travis. I’m trying to find a zone focusing video on RUclips that doesn’t blow. Doesn’t exist. Your exposure video was great. Can you do the same for zone focusing? Your videos are fantastic.
One day I'll be able to pick up a leica m3 it's my dream camera
Great upload! This was very informative. I really don’t think you could have done the M3 any better justice. Question: may I ask what strap you’re using on it and what soft shutter release you’re using? The leather looks great!
Jared Tennant is the strap is from Lucida straps. I found it on Etsy and I think I paid maybe $30?! And customized it with the leather protectors on the rings and everything. The soft release is from @themoregooder he makes a huge variety and his prices are not stupid. You can buy three or four for the price of one of the more artisan brands. Highly recommended!
@@ForesthillFilmLab thanks so much! I'm familiar with both brands so now I'm certain I'm coping a Lucida!
This was great, thank you. $469 in 1954 is $4517 in 2020 dollars!
Shit i really love the way you explain! I whis you was my prof at school!
By the way I absolutely love your videos and if you (or anyone else reading this) ever should get your hands on a Voigtländer Vitessa L with Ultron lens definitely try it out.
While not entirely on the level of a M3 it still is a high quality folding, parallax-corrected rangefinder camera with a unique film advance, leaf shutter, thumb wheel focusing (which is awesome) and lens thats on the same level as a Summicron but costs only a fraction of the price of a M3.
It will always be my go-to 50mm camera. Greetings from Germany.
thanks travis - i get it...it's possible in theory but not in practice due to the limits of the camera make up...
how about this - say i have 400 film loaded and so am at 1/500 and then choose f8 for light levels - if the light levels go darker, instead of changing 2 stops to f4 could i change shutter speed to 1/100 therefore keeping the same aperture ?
Mic Warmington yes precisely. Every stop is 1:1 aperture or shutter or iso. Every step is the same as any other step. Opening the aperture one stop is the same as slowing a shutter speed down one setting and the same as the difference of 100 iso to 200 iso film
hi travis - on the same subject, sort of...i'm outside with my m3 using the sunny 16 rule , usually with 400 film - how should i change settings if i go inside into a cafe, bar, library wherever ? thanks man.
hey Travis, great show as always. I was wondering if I could get the name of that book that you were looking through, I have fallen in love with film over the last year and it looks like a book that I would like to own. thanks
Lorne Newman www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1402756569/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all
Here it is. Get a used hardcover. The prices on it are insane!
I am using sometimes a Leica 3a and it is also a pain in the ass to load it with Film, because the only access is form the bottom...
Isn't that changed with the M-series, too?
I have the same, a 1936 iiia. The trick is to trim your film leader to size in advance. Using specially prepared film leaders I find it faster to load than my M2.
“What a great price”... man, 500 bucks in 1955 was like 3,500 bucks lol.
Yo bro you are the shit fam....I just bought a Leica M5 (Black) and I am new to shooting film is this a good starting camera ? and what 50mm should I get ?
Very, very nice Video ;-))
No Pussy footin!!! love it dude....I have M2 ....love it ....another awesome vid man!!
Long time ago but I came over yr video tdy ☺. Hope you are fine in 2022. Bro: I own a M2 and I use it because it has the 35mm frame lines and I use 35mm as my standard lens... and the counter realy doesn't matter. If the film is full, you will feel it 😉. Not shure if you would do this "emotional" vid in 2022 😂😂. Anyway: Stay safe my friend!
Hello, I have the same camera book I bought in a store that was closing the doors forever, I paid $ 5 for it and is a very nice book with a lot of information about classic cameras, I have a question could you tell me how to solve or compensate the parallax error in a leica iiif ??, I mean? How should I shoot to avoid it? thanks for your videos are very motivating.
Hey Oscar. I have a Leica iiia so have had the same problem you're experiencing. The answer is to use an external viewfinder that has parallax compensation. You could guess with the camera viewfinder and just frame a little lower (when shooting horizontally) or frame looser to be sure of including everything. It only really becomes an issue at distances closer than 2 metres. Probably the cheapest option is to buy a Russian turret viewfinder which has distance markings on it so that you can adjust it for parallax.
Just bought my first Leica, an m2...now to get a 35mm lens
Thnx for this video! Wanna tell ya about what you said in the video about tha screw in the front and that it was just on the M3. I saw that M2 has that screw too and it is not bout the screw but the M3 and M2 difference is that M2 front is flat nad M2 is not as it appears on different pics. @ForesthillFilmLab
The screw is for adjusting the vertical element of the range finder, and the M2 has the same screw.
Having owned three M3s, do you have any advice on finding them?
Slyest Fox yes I do! Buy one with shitty leather! Because mine had shitty leather. I used it anyways. It literally crumbled off (like many M3 leather does) and I spent like $25 in a beautiful replacement leather. Did it myself and increased the overall value of the camera immediately. No tools needed either!! So that’s my advice! Save a few hundred on a body and make up for it with $25 leather.
@@ForesthillFilmLab Thanks! And you otherwise find eBay to be a suitable place? Or elsewhere? Also, do you send them off for a service when you get them, or have they all been generally fine?
I got my M2 on Ebay. $875 from Hong Kong. (Body only of course). A lot of clean cameras coming from Japan and Hong Kong. Mine is in great condition.
Interesting Video. Leica's are awesome. Winogrand shot with a 35mm from time to time. Just change things up. most of his work was done with a 28mm. Also - he shot all of his film on Tri-x. I use a 35 mm on my rangefinder. 50mm for me is more of a slr lens. Thanks for sharing your style. Also - how come you have owned three?
What settings you use with m3?
I use auto-focus, exposure compensation, and built in light metering with mine. WTF are you on about mate??? It only has shutter speed and aperture. ISO is fixed by your film type. The cool thing is- There are no settings. ;-)
"f/8 and don't be late."
Hell yeah .The f/8 Club.
Time to hike in the woods during this coronvirus and take photos on my leica
Great vid...love the 'no pussyfooting'...I shoot a '53 doublestroke M3 with a Voigt 50 Nokt and just love it. But I promise I'll speed up for a bunch of rolls you're dead right on moving and flow with a M3...I've got to get my bulkloader going so I stop doing the $$math!!!
And it is the most beautiful camera ever.....
I will never sell my M3.
link please for gary winter grant ?
Henry Ua ruclips.net/video/3RM9KcYEYXs/видео.html
Watch this! It’s amazing
Hahahaha, Gary winter grant? Oh man
xesse1 haha maybe I should flash a photographer name when I say them from here on out
thank u...
I've recently thought of saving/investing into having an M2 (for the 35mm lens) or an M4
Christopher Campos just get a bmw
Gary shot tri-x, not tmax, right?
Hell yeah, Screw tmax. Tri-X is the shit.
Hi Travis, its called M3 because it had 3 frame lines 50, 90 & 135 it was a simple as that
William Eggleston shot on Leicas and owned hundreds.
Leica said: guys we have to do something crazy.
Then yes my little friend, they did something really crazy, it was the M series.
Cool informative video, but Im dying to know who this Gary Whittagraham or Winnagraham is but nothing comes up, and the subtitles don't help, could you spell it out if you don't mind so we know who you're talking about.
TheSololobo Gary winogrand! Enjoy!
M2 anyway with the 35mm frame lines
I’m dreaming if I owned anything Leica. $$$$$ is not in my equipment budget.
The M3 is just a classic, would love to pull the trigger on one of these but I just love 35mm focal length too much
Duh....get an M2. 35mm frame lines built in.
Keep a lens cap on it. Leaving it on it's back in the sun risks burning a hole in the shutter blind. The achilles heel of a Leica
Burn through that shit, love it
Burn through that shit ! Best thing Ive heard all day.
i beleive it was called the m3 due to the fact that it had 3 framelines. but dont quote me on that
Burn through that Ish! Right on!