this Leica M3 turned out to be better than the M6

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 3 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ •

  • @DennisCostello-l7e
    @DennisCostello-l7e 2 місяці тому +63

    UA-cam is killing the joy of photography with this onslaught of clickbait "gotta get new gear" videos. Among other cameras, I've owned a Leica iiic, two M3's (double +single stroke) M2, Leica Cl, M5, M4-P, two M6, the digital M-E, M11, and M11-P. They're all great. These stupid "M5 sucks/M7 rules" rankings are pointless. Is the M3 a better camera than the M6? Maybe, if the larger viewfinder magnification is what you want, and don't mind slapping on an accessory viewfinder for any lens wider than 50mm. If you want a built-in light meter, additional frame lines for 35mm & 28mm, and an actual hot shoe, maybe the M6 is a better camera. And why drag "hipsters" into this? Leica halted production of the M3 in 1967. Some folks might have "manufactured this year" or "built 40-20 years ago as opposed to 60-70 years" as their criteria for a good camera. For some people the M1 is a better camera. Why do we need to pretend there's a singular answer? 3 weeks ago you were telling us the Bessa T was better than a Leica. This is insane and boring and does nothing to improve your photos or anyone else's. I'm not wealthy, far from it- I've worked in the ass end of show business for the past 35 years. I purchased all my Leica film cameras broken and taught myself how to repair them. Every camera purchase doesn't have to a be ticket you get punched in your photography bro's journey to having the "ultimate".

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому +1

      👌🏼

    • @phallicusoblongus
      @phallicusoblongus 2 місяці тому +4

      Don't be a stick in the mud, bud

    • @crispin8888
      @crispin8888 Місяць тому

      Very true. I love my M3, but simply because I love it. Any new releases nowadays results in multiple videos all at the same time, and every reviewer gushing about/over the camera, until a new camera comes out a month later.

    • @Biosynchro
      @Biosynchro Місяць тому

      IMHO, the best videos give you tips and tricks and ideas which you can actually use, whether you're a pro or not. I love the M11, but not a lot of people are showing us how to get better photos from an M 240 or M9 in low light. That, I think, is where the fun is.

    • @jeremykeller211
      @jeremykeller211 Місяць тому

      Why on earth have you owned so many cameras?

  • @peterchristopher2258
    @peterchristopher2258 9 днів тому

    I once heard the term Franken-Leica and went down a deep rabbit-hole online. It's really amazing to see talented technicians put together these mods of Leica M bodies.

  • @john2000l
    @john2000l 2 місяці тому +2

    You are one of the luckiest guys around. I don't often do well when buying from online places like this, but this Leica takes absolutely beautiful images. Rich greens, blues, and grays. Nice job Justin, and a great purchase.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      Thanks John! 🙌🏼

    • @Croquetfilm
      @Croquetfilm Місяць тому +3

      The camera body doesn’t make the image.

  • @rauliflemington7045
    @rauliflemington7045 6 днів тому

    Greetings, I find Leica M film bodies quite exceptional. The great thing is that each model has it's own nuances and we are free to choose which one, if any, suits our own individual sensibilities. It's really not a matter of one being 'better' than another. I, too, expose without a meter. It's a liberating skill when mastered. Thus my choice was the M4-2, not the most popular but perfect for me with my two lenses; 35mm and 50mm.
    Cheers.

  • @Nerdzombiedisco
    @Nerdzombiedisco 11 днів тому

    That's one trippy mod! Enjoyed this video as I'm missing all the film Ms I've sold (l've been lucky in the past to have owned all models at various times), and about to pull the trigger on an M3 to have one again. Cheers and all the best to you.

  • @richardmayberry5905
    @richardmayberry5905 2 місяці тому +5

    You need to do some research. The M2 is built every bit as well as the M3, with the major differences be in the magnification difference in the M2 to accommodate the 35mm frame lines, and the manual reset of the frame counter. Very solid, and just as satisfying as the M3. If you’re looking for a true 1:1 viewfinder, the Canon P is a good bet, and excellent hipster bait as well! 😉

    • @Biosynchro
      @Biosynchro Місяць тому

      I have a Canon P. I'm not a fan of it, due to its sub-optimal VF placement.

  • @jmac_photo
    @jmac_photo 5 днів тому +1

    Replaced my M3 leather from Aki Asahi and was a breeze compared to other cameras- I don't believe I had to remove anything but the old leather. And I have the same minor impressions on the top left next to the Wetzlar inscription. Must be long lost siblings!

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  5 днів тому

      Oh nice! Yeah i ended up going with them as well. Got navy blue and they included an extra one 🤙🏼

  • @flyingintervation4188
    @flyingintervation4188 Місяць тому +1

    I was cleaning one my of families old homes in Mexico and I found 3 laica m3s in the attic. I plan on taking one home when I go back and hopefully it still works. Cool video I want to learn more about them.

  • @editedforclarity4082
    @editedforclarity4082 Місяць тому

    Fascinating. I actually received my Leica M3 a couple days before this video went live. It's been a dream camera since day one. I'm stoked on getting my first roll back, and am glad there are others who feel the same way about this beautiful piece of camera history, a true mechanical marvel that's already stood the test of time.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  Місяць тому

      Congrats!

    • @Obscure462
      @Obscure462 Місяць тому

      Imagine owning a Leica and not developing your own film. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @Caballeroshot
    @Caballeroshot 12 днів тому

    I picked up an M2 with the Leica 50mm 2.8 Elmar recently CLAd by YYE for a literal song.....well traded my Pentax 67 and a couple lenses for it and I have to say it's the most fun I've had shooting a camera in a long while. Anyone looking for a true 35mm shooter should look at an M2 as well, even coupled with voigtlander lenses it is amazing!

  • @housemusic325
    @housemusic325 2 місяці тому +1

    The plastic arm is the reason why I've decided to install an M3 advance lever on my M4.
    Also, i own an M3 and the quick load spool was a pain to use for me. Being used to load older leicas from the 30's, I prefer the classic style of loading it because nothing beat the quick loading of the M4 and later model imho.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      Yea its very finicky. M3 advance lever on M4, Now that would be awesome

  • @GTAYLOR1972
    @GTAYLOR1972 2 місяці тому

    I have an M3 with a super low serial number (734xxx). It was also converted to a single stroke. I spoke with Leica Boutique in DC and they said pretty rare and he would not get rid of it if it were him. I think right now you can still pick these up for not a lot of money but as time goes on they probably will go up a little bit in value.

  • @1951void
    @1951void 2 місяці тому +8

    The best leica for you mostly depends on your favourite focal length

    • @Nuka_Gaming
      @Nuka_Gaming 2 місяці тому

      For me it's 50 so the M3 is right up my alley

    • @1951void
      @1951void 2 місяці тому

      @@Nuka_Gaming me like 80% of the time I have my 28mm stick to my camera, also love 50 but don't use it that often, I have a CL and I want to upgrade to a M4 and get rid of the external finder

    • @Biosynchro
      @Biosynchro Місяць тому +1

      Good point. If you like shorter focal lengths, an M body is ideal - whether it's an M3 or an M7 with a 0.58x VF. But if you're like me and you like telephotos, perhaps the SL system is the way to go.

    • @1951void
      @1951void Місяць тому

      @@Biosynchro expensive but really good system, for the moment I am adapting my leica mouunt lenses to my xt5.

    • @Obscure462
      @Obscure462 Місяць тому +1

      The best leica is a zorki.

  • @Biosynchro
    @Biosynchro Місяць тому +1

    IMHO, the old take-up spools are actually better, because you can have one attached to every roll of film you take with you. Loading in that way is quicker than the rapid-load system. This would apply to the M3 and M2, as well as the Barnack bodies.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  Місяць тому

      Yea that sounds awesome. Been looking at some spare original spools

  • @michaelr5904
    @michaelr5904 Місяць тому

    Great video. Now I have to buy one!!

  • @Croquetfilm
    @Croquetfilm Місяць тому +1

    The quick load sustem actually is a bit harder to load.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  Місяць тому

      Yea it really is 😅🤦🏼‍♂️

  • @filmic1
    @filmic1 2 місяці тому

    It's interesting you say this. The graphics technician I took over from told me to stick to the M3, we had an M5 or and M6. We were using them on our Leica Reprovit for copy work. This was a medical research lab I worked in in the eighties. I had had no familiarity with the Leica's myself. So I didn't even use the M5 or M6. I'm not even sure which one it was. I don't even think we had a lens for them.

  • @Snegojui
    @Snegojui 2 місяці тому +1

    I saw an instagram post like a month ago, someone started to make circuit boards for the m6 (only classic, not ttl). So there is a way to repair them though I don’t think it would be cheap.

  • @ricardoyan7657
    @ricardoyan7657 2 місяці тому

    it has M4 flash sync ports! with that said this is my dream combo! M3 body with M4 flash sync ports!

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      Yeah pretty cool! No more adapters required

  • @TJCampie
    @TJCampie 2 місяці тому

    DAG's wax mark is "92". your new camera looks amazing!

  • @NineVoltDigitalCinema
    @NineVoltDigitalCinema 2 місяці тому

    Congratulations on the beautiful camera! I just got a mint 1965 M3 with a “full overhaul” CLA from DAG, and the wax seal has “92” pressed into it. Not sure what it stands for, but there you go.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому +1

      Nice! I wish he still did repaints!

    • @TucsonAnalogWorkshop
      @TucsonAnalogWorkshop 2 місяці тому +1

      I think it is the year he started his business

    • @y2ktube
      @y2ktube 2 місяці тому +1

      "from DAG, and the wax seal has “92”" - FYI, TLC Camera Repair in NC has the ORIGINAL 'L' seal applied after he finishes the service (In 1976 he worked in arguably the 1st *Leica store in the USA and personally knew the Leica sales rep). *Gus & Maria Bohanec ran Alvin's Photo Supply in Pasadena California

  • @jorsetti
    @jorsetti 2 місяці тому

    I bought a used in excellent condition M6 and light meter originally didn’t work or was infrequently working. I sent for repair to a guy in the Midwest (DGA Camera) and he fixed it! Turned out to be a quick solder. He repaired and cleaned, I got really lucky. 😅

  • @poniatowski3547
    @poniatowski3547 2 місяці тому

    Love my M3. Such a fantastic camera. Agree with others on here the normal m3 loading is perfectly fine.

  • @RandAlThorR
    @RandAlThorR Місяць тому

    Great find. btw where do you live? Am I tripping or that area looks like its stuck in 80s' and Im not even talking about after shot with film :D That whole area gives me 80s vibe for some reason. Thanks for sharing this.

  • @MarttiSuomivuori
    @MarttiSuomivuori 2 місяці тому +3

    Just a hint: It is not the camera, it is the guy who's using it.

  • @y2ktube
    @y2ktube 2 місяці тому

    Video @ 21:48 "used Japanese parts" - Sorry Justin, that's flat out incorrect
    Japanese parts didn't begin until the mid 70's with the Leica CL and Leica R3 (started after the Minolta partnership).

  • @MrSdbmgarcia
    @MrSdbmgarcia 2 місяці тому +3

    Having owned the M3, M5and M6. I can say M5 is by far the best. Even though they call M5 the ugly step child. Viewfinder, placement of the shutter dial and metering system by far better than the M6😊 M3 Still a classic 🤙

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      interesting take, i've always shied away from that one because of the unpopular opinion about it.

    • @MrSdbmgarcia
      @MrSdbmgarcia 2 місяці тому +1

      @@JustinPhillip if you ever want to take it out for a spin. I’m in the Santa Clarita burbs 😅

    • @SteveMillerhuntingforfood
      @SteveMillerhuntingforfood 2 місяці тому +2

      I also shoot an M5, (plus a M3, and iiia) and agree, the metering with the two lines is much more intuitive than the LED's (similar to my Nikon FM3a metering). The M5 also shows you the shutter speed in the viewfinder. The first Leica M rangefinder with through-the-lens metering and the last to be built entirely by hand in Wetzlar using the traditional “adjust and fit” method.
      One of my biggest fears with my M5 is if the viewfinder patch goes dark; that means there is separation of the prisms. Super expensive to repair. Mine is still OK.
      I won't be selling my M5 anytime soon.

    • @SteveMillerhuntingforfood
      @SteveMillerhuntingforfood 2 місяці тому

      Also known as the camera that almost bankrupt Leica, it was a huge failure.

  • @jasongold6751
    @jasongold6751 2 місяці тому +1

    It's the Best M ever! But it's old! The viewfider can fail, if bad knock! The balsa glue is now critical. My M3 new in 1967, is still in use! I was a pro, news, fashion, nature, portraits, my personal work! It is 57 years old! I was a kid when I first held it! I'm 80. I prefer the viewfinder to the lousy framing of newer M's! Loading is way better than M6.. You must be very clumsy

  • @jeremoe1
    @jeremoe1 2 місяці тому

    I love my M3, for sure!

  • @Amia67360
    @Amia67360 2 місяці тому

    You focus so quickly, god, how do you do ? I haven't seen a light meter in the video, how do you do for speed and aperture ?

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      I just meter by eye. But it was so super bright, i was shooting at f/8

    • @Biosynchro
      @Biosynchro Місяць тому

      @@JustinPhillip Did you hear about the DP Douglas Slocombe? He metered by eye - he never used a light meter (apparently). He was the DP on Raiders of the Lost Ark.

  • @098Chris
    @098Chris 2 місяці тому +1

    M2 (and to a lesser degree M4) > M3. The M3 is only "better" if you prioritize 50mm or SUPERSPEED glass.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      I dont mind using cold shoe viewfinders. I’ll take the bigger patch and higher magnification any day of the week.

  • @theblackandwhitefilmproject
    @theblackandwhitefilmproject 2 місяці тому

    Nice camera! I have a new MP and a mint M2 - not a mark on it. The shutters were tested and every one was perfect. The technician said he had never before seen a Leica with perfect shutter speeds. The build quality on my M2 does seem better than the new MP and I don't mind the spool loading - in fact it gives me more confidence that the film is loaded correctly. I chose the M2 over the M3 because I really wanted the 35mm frame lines and I am OK with the 0.72 viewfinder and manual shot counter. The M3 with 50/90/135 for me is really only 50/90. The M2 is 35/50/90. I have tried a 135mm lens but everything is so small in the frame line it is almost impossible to use and shutter speeds under 1/250 have too much camera shake so a very limited lens. Suggestion - don't be tempted to get the quick rewind adaptor.I had one on my MP and it scratched the top plate. Aargh! Using the M2 is like driving a classic car. Smooth.Enjoy!

  • @thedarkslide
    @thedarkslide 2 місяці тому

    8:05 Oh, yeah. My god. That is so much worse then the stock pickup spool of the M3.
    One more thing: with the original spool I get 39 exposures on my M3. Curious if you're sacrificing frames with that "upgrade".
    I actually don't mind the take up spook of the M3. It's impossible to load incorrectly. I have a later single stroke M3 that has the improvements other than the quick load. Yours must have gotten new leather. No way that is the original vulcanite. Other than the dent of the top plate it looks great. It's going to serve you well.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      Did you see the end? The vulcanite started falling apart. I got 34 exposures with this test roll. But because i wasnt used to the “rapid load” , i definitely botched the first four, after i finally got it loaded correctly the exposure counter was already on 4 😅 so im guessing you could get around 38 if you get good at it. But yea on my M6 one time i got the tiffs back from the lab and there were 43 exposures!

    • @thedarkslide
      @thedarkslide 2 місяці тому

      @@JustinPhillip Saw the end! Should have held my comment until then. I have yet to see an M3 with good vulcanite. Mine has chipped in one corner but is otherwise OK.
      Put a 50DR or rigid Summicron on it, the focus scale on those lenses is great for zone focusing and you can quickly adjust with the amazing viewfinder of the M3. You're gonna love 50mm with this camera.

    • @TucsonAnalogWorkshop
      @TucsonAnalogWorkshop 2 місяці тому

      @@JustinPhillip 37-38 frames is the usual I get from the spool loaders. I repair a lot of these and the vulcanite is disintegrating on just about every one of them I've worked on this past year! Even when it looks perfect you just touch it and it falls to pieces

  • @jackthompson8377
    @jackthompson8377 8 днів тому

    Now to learn how to take a good photo.

  • @BadKarma714
    @BadKarma714 2 місяці тому +1

    Good video we should meet up I got a car now let me know when you have time. Maybe you could show me how to set up my camera to get the best video possible. I have a few of them take you out to lunch maybe you can make a video of it showing a viewer video basics. I just got a new vlog camera the Sony ZV 1

  • @michael007ish
    @michael007ish 2 місяці тому

    M3 any day for me.

    • @Amia67360
      @Amia67360 2 місяці тому

      Hey ! How do you manage Speed and aperture ? It's my big problem ... D'you have a light meter ?

  • @noth606
    @noth606 2 місяці тому

    I think the youtube algo is taking drugs of the psychedelic variety, I got recommended this, figured I'd take a peek to see if there was a point to it. Nope. I am a bit into photography and far more into video, but I dumped my film cameras as soon as digital cameras came out on the market and waited and waited for them to come down in price enough to be purchased by mere mortals. Hated film, absolutely awful stuff, and the only camera that was kinda decent was an Olympus Mju because it didn't screw up the film inside it which SLR's regularly do.
    You could do an easy mode simulation of the picture development process, get a printer, dimmable lights and some model glue, and every time you want physical pictures, turn the printer on, hit Print on your PC(Mac probably?), dim the lights and take a good proper whiff off the glue.

  • @jaxytvids
    @jaxytvids 11 днів тому +1

    Meh, the M4 is better. 😎

  • @jmsjms296
    @jmsjms296 24 дні тому

    Many old cars in that neighborhood..

  • @atl_mx5
    @atl_mx5 2 місяці тому

    i want that so bad.

  • @jaimito10922
    @jaimito10922 2 місяці тому

    I saw this on Ebay lol watched it slip out of my hands lol

  • @dominiquepierre-nina4581
    @dominiquepierre-nina4581 2 місяці тому

    The M6 has risen to its hight because of the light meter with in the camera. In my opinion the M6 is not worth the $$ and god knows why they re released it earlier this year! The M3 is far superior in looks and build quality and who needs a light meter ??

  • @jpm5205
    @jpm5205 2 місяці тому

    rapid load is pointless with a M camera. Why are you in such a rush? Are you in a war zone or photographing the Super Bowl? The M3 spool is much more secure and fool proof.

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      Yeah i mean it came with it 🤷🏼‍♂️

  • @alfredoziano
    @alfredoziano 2 місяці тому

    You’re a hipster too bro

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  2 місяці тому

      😂😂 nah not an LA hipster tho, out here, it’s a different breed.

  • @streetwalkerphoto
    @streetwalkerphoto 2 місяці тому

    Proper Leica cameras: M3, M2, MP. The rest are just medallions worn by dentists. 🤣

  • @jeremykeller211
    @jeremykeller211 Місяць тому

    What are hipsters? What is their relationship to photography?

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  Місяць тому

      Idk you’re probably a hipster pretending you’re not 😂

    • @jeremykeller211
      @jeremykeller211 Місяць тому

      @JustinPhillip IDK=? Hipster? I am a native speaker of English but have spent most of my life in countries where English is not the primary language. This was the background for my questions. I have used an M3 for over 40 years and I process my films in a darkroom. I do not own a computer. Is this the sort of behavior common to a hipster?

  • @codiecrieg2480
    @codiecrieg2480 Місяць тому

    for me? it must work or it is just another piece of junk.... srsly i own m4 and it is so expeisive becouse of this... nothiung special is in this camera XD

  • @Obscure462
    @Obscure462 Місяць тому

    Leica is like Apple. You may think it's better but it's not. A camera is just a box you and the lens do the work. I love to laugh at Leica users thinking they have some sort of edge. 😂😂😂😂

    • @JustinPhillip
      @JustinPhillip  Місяць тому

      😆 never said anything about an “edge”. If you’ve never used a leica than you obviously cant understand. And yes i too have called cameras a black box many times, you’re not being unique in your troll comment.

    • @Obscure462
      @Obscure462 Місяць тому

      @JustinPhillip It not special to any other camera. Use a zorki or be a hipster whatever you want it's your money and the same quality.