INTRODUCTION

The Leica M3 is a 35mm film rangefinder made in Germany by Leica between 1954 and 1966.

BEST SUITED FOR:

Events

Weddings

Travel

Street

Art

PERSONAL NOTES

I had many Leica M3. Because of their high price, I sold some, always to buy another later. Right now, I still would love to get my hands on another one.

For the utilisation I do of rangefinders, the M3 is by far the best camera ever. I love to shoot with a 50mm. The M3 is perfect for this focal length, as it fills the default frame lines of the finder perfectly, and I can leave both of my eyes open. The right eye to compose in the finder, and the left one to look at the action happening just out of my frame, so I can anticipate exactly when to shoot, aiming for that "decesive moment" Cartier-Bresson talked so much about.

I brought my M3 everywhere I went, in many countries. Here it lies on a shelf in a Airbus A380 returning from Europe:

And here it is on a cafe's table in Morocco, what a beauty with its orange filter:

Shooting a Leica gives a very nice feeling to the photographer. You feel all the mechanics of the camera in your hands when pressing the shutter, when focussing, when advancing the film. The camera is well designed, and feels just right, solid, all metal and glass, you know you can shoot with class.

CONCLUSION

I love rangefinders, they do not draw too much attention. I'm a big fan of the Leica M3, with it, I can shoot with both eyes open. This is a big advantage for capturing the decisive moment. Anticipating is everything.

Lately, Fuji X cameras are taking more place in this department. If you are looking for a really good rangefinder, but want to pay less, the Canon P is surprisingly excellent.

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VERDICT:

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