Leica M3: When the Leica M 3 came out, I was single and beginning (I thought) a career in photography. I purchased the body, an assortment of Leica lenses and other allied equipment.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

When the Leica M 3 came out, I was single and beginning (I thought) a career in photography. I purchased the body, an assortment of Leica lenses and other allied equipment. Then later after serving some military time I married with a resultant newborn arrival. No money, no job prospects, I sold all the Leica equipment to pay the obstetrician and hospital costs. I should have named my daughter "Leica". I have never been able to afford such primo equipment since and gave up the photog dreams to various occupations. I still have the fond memories of that equipment. Is there anyone out there who would consider trading their Leica equipment for a 47 year old daughter? (Not serious, of course.)

Bill_de Loc: US

I had a neighbor, and good friend, who told how years back he put a deposit on a new Harley. He went home all excited to tell his wife, but she went first with, "I'm pregnant". That was his first daughter.

When he was '70 his wife died of cancer. At '72 he bought a new Harley. He will be '79 in May and still drives the Harley, year round now, in Florida.

So, never say never. ;)

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1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Thanks Bill. I just take snapshot photos now with My Nikon D3100 and am satisfied with that and reunited with my college (1956) sweetheart after 60 some years. I am an octogenarian and my now other half is closing in on that also. By the way, I was a dedicated bike rider for many years also, but don't feel confident in my reflexes anymore against the aggressive cage (automobile) drivers.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

When you are laying in the box looking up at the cover, you will say" I should buy primo equipment" My suggestion is do it NOW! so when you are in the box looking up at the cover, you will say, I am glad I did it.

1Feathercrest wrote:

When the Leica M 3 came out, I was single and begi... (show quote)

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

1Feathercrest wrote:

When the Leica M 3 came out, I was single and begi... (show quote)

Please post picture of daughter :) and any warranties that might still apply.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

Wow! That looks like all the equipment I sold except for the Wesson meter, which I kept. Thanks, but daughter refuses to comply.
P.S. Heart skipped a beat when I looked at that beautiful equipment. My M 3 was an early production model, like one that garnered thousands of dollars at a sale years ago for just the body.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

1Feathercrest wrote:

When the Leica M 3 came out, I was single and begi... (show quote)

Please post picture and behavior analysis.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

1Feathercrest wrote:

Wow! That looks like all the equipment I sold except for the Wesson meter, which I kept. Thanks, but daughter refuses to comply.
P.S. Heart skipped a beat when I looked at that beautiful equipment. My M 3 was an early production model, like one that garnered thousands of dollars at a sale years ago for just the body.

Am disappointed we dont have a trade, oh well :roll:
I took these pics for another thread here some time ago.
I never thought I would stop using the Leica system but after buying a D200 they havent been used at all and now sit wrapped in bubble wrap in my office cupboard.
I guess one day they'll be antiques but for now are almost forgotten.
Shame really. One is almost unused and still in its box. O well.

19104 Loc: Philadelphia

When my baby girl was born i snuck my LeicaM3ds with a collapsible 90mm f4 into the hospital. i still ahve the picture, the camera and of course the daughter. She is 30 and me and the M3ds are 60. Back in january she got her masters degree, and I took pictures of her with her 18 month old daughter. i wonder will the D800E sitll be around in 30 years.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

My father owned one when I was very young and it was the first "real" camera I ever used. It took amazing photos and he had it until the early '70s when he traded it (and all the lenses) for a F2 and a gaggle of Nikkors. There were times when I wished that he hadn't made the trade but those old cloth shutter curtains were "fragile."

dinosaur39 Loc: Harpers Ferry, WV

Was the Leica M3/4 really that good or is it just nostalgia that keeps it in mind? Or the fact that so many great photographers used Leicas? Or the fact that it is German and renowned for its construction and design? I have never touched a Leica so I have no way of knowing. Can anyone compare the Leica M3 with, for example, the Nikon FM2?

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

dinosaur39 wrote:

Was the Leica M3/4 really that good or is it just nostalgia that keeps it in mind? Or the fact that so many great photographers used Leicas? Or the fact that it is German and renowned for its construction and design? I have never touched a Leica so I have no way of knowing. Can anyone compare the Leica M3 with, for example, the Nikon FM2?

Having used both cameras, I can speak about their simalarities and differences. Because they were manufactured three decades apart, the technological differences were self evident. Both cameras were made like tanks and were some of the best made instruments of their time. They were not toys, but serious instruments and were favored by serious amateurs and professionals alike. However, the M3 did not age well while the FM2 is still used by many serious shooters to this day.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Some years ago, my Dad gave me his Leica IIIC, IIIG and modest selection of lenses and accessories. Not for sale and never will be...

I'd love to use them, but both cameras need their shutters rebuilt (not an uncommon problem with cloth shutters, costs about $600 per camera).

Joe Paich

In 1952 I arrived in Tripoli, Wheelus Air Force base with my Ansco Pioneer camera $3.50. One day my friend went to the PX and purchased a camera, a Leica 3F for $275.00. I asked him why did he do that. He said that with this camera he could take photos under any conditions. I bought one and have used it for over 40 years.
Occasionally I would send it to New York for a little maintenance. I do not use this camera any more but I do take it out, wind it up and set it on one second just to hear the smooth sound of the focal plane. I still have my Ansco as well as a Crown Graphic, Canon Rebel T4i EOS 650D, Panasonic iPalm PV-DC3000 3.3 MP Digital Camera, 3 Polaroids and a couple of very old cameras a friend gave to me. I never regretted buying that Leica.

1Feathercrest Loc: NEPA

And we thought that was a lot of money, along with the $700 Rolex's. Had a lot of flyboy friends as well as gyrenes back 50-60 years ago. Keep well.