Vintage Leica M3 camera

One of my key reason for selecting the Leica 50mm Summicron Collapsible radioactive len is to be the same as the old leica advertisement. This is how my Leica M3 look, similar to the old vintage leica M3 advertisements.

The Summicron 50mm Lens by Harold M. Merklinger as published in Shutterbug, June 1994.

The Leitz 50 mm f/2 Summicron set a new standard for normal lenses when it was first introduced about 1953. A few prototypes were actually engraved Summitar*. This new lens had two particular features which distinguished it from its predecessors. It was the first “high speed” lens that equaled the performance of the 50/3.5 Elmar at any given f-stop. Thus the 35 mm photographer could choose a single normal lens without sacrificing either quality or speed. He could have both. And second, the Summicron was designed to have uniform image quality across the format, even at the larger apertures. Earlier lenses, and the lenses of other manufacturers, were designed for sharp, contrasty results in the very center, but image quality deteriorated towards the edges. 

The original 50 mm Summicron was produced in a collapsible mount, much like the Summitar and Summar that preceded it, and like it’s sibling 50/3.5 Elmar. The higher speed 50/1.5 Summarit was always in a rigid mount. In about 1956 a rigid version of the 50/2 Summicron for M-series cameras appeared with little explanation. A special version of the rigid lens, the Dual-Range Summicron for the M-3, did feature provisions for close focusing, however. It was not ’till 1960 or so that the rigid lens became available in screw mount—just as production of screw-mount Leicas was drawing to a close. Any number of references will tell us that the collapsible and rigid versions of the Summicron are optically identical. This information is erroneous; these two versions of the 50/2 Summicron are different designs. 

As the accompanying photograph will show, the rigid version of the lens is longer. The optics are set farther from the film and the lens mount than is the case for the collapsible version. The front element and the rear element are both set farther forward. This does not mean the focal length is different, however. The two lenses are simply different optical designs. Additional evidence may be seen in the photograph. The depth of field scales are identical, but the mark for infra-red focusing moves from the f/2 mark on the earlier lens, to roughly half-way between the f/4 and the f/5.6 marks on the later lens. 

In my view, the rigid Summicron represents as great a milestone in lens design as does the collapsible Summicron. The collapsible Summicron becomes somewhat lack-luster at apertures larger than f/4. The rigid Summicron, on the other hand, is fully usable at it’s maximum aperture. Images taken at f/2, even in the close-up range, are stunning in sharpness and contrast. The f/2 aperture finally became a true working aperture, not a low light emergency back-up. The rigid design also re-established the Summicron as the best normal lens available. Lenses of f/2 and f/1.4 from the Japanese competition noticeably surpassed the collapsible Summicron in the center of the image field—as for that matter did the Summitar, though over a very small angle only. I still rely on the original rigid Summicron whenever I seek the ultimate in 50 mm lens performance. This forty year old design is still among the very best! © Harold M. Merklinger, 

Vintage Leica M3 day 2 experience

This is my second day in using the Leica M3 ith 50mm len. Instetad of using my phone apps light meter, the newly integrated light meter has made using the camera a joy.

Once i have the reading from the meter, i just need to set the speed and aperture, focus and shoot. The Leica M3 is less i intimidating that the Rollierflex as it is not so big and attention seeking. 

Still learning...and enjoying.

External light sensor meter for Leica M3 Voigtlander VC - Meter II

The Leica M3 is an all mechanical camera with no electronic components. In order to determine the light conditions, an external light sensor meter is needed.

I went to Sam Sui Po hoping to get a vintage light meter but some how the accuracy is lacking for most of the light meters. Moreover, it is also quite difficult to determine the reading. I have also tried downloading the 4 light meter apps but all 4 apps showed different reading each time.

As such, I have decided to get a modern Voigtlander VC- Meter II which is both compact and accurate.  It costs about hK$1800. To operate this meter, you set the appropriate film speed, aim the front at your subject, and press the orange button. When you release the button, a reading is frozen, and the LED displays will show red over/under arrows as you try different shutter/aperture combinations. Finally you will see the green center dot illuminate and exposure is correct. The LEDs light up as soon as you press and hold the orange button in case you need real-time readings, rather than freezing one in memory. The LEDs stay lit for as long as you are rotating the dials and for about 8 seconds after you stop.

As it is a compact meter, the meter basically integrated itself with the camera.

Vintage Leica M3 with Collapsible Leica Summicron L39 50mm/F2.0 Radioactive Lens

Today is a happy day as I have finally managed to get the M3 camera Body (from 1957-8) and the Leica 50mm collapsible len 1043XXX (from 1952/3). This is one of the more rare early Summicron 50mm lenses, which uses thorium and or lanthanum glass elements, giving it the slightly yellow hue. Many love the overall rendering qualities combined with being the smallest collapsed and lightest Summicron 50 len. The lens was very solidly built and tiny. This lens was full of character, the old Leica character that everybody loved

One of the challenge is to find one in good condition. I was lucky as the front len is protected by a Leica UV or IA filter. Finding a "clean" lens is very difficult but It is worth it. It was good enough for Cartier-Bresson, it is good enough for me. It was the absolute top lens of its time and the working tool of many famous top photographers.

The Leica Summicron L39 50mm was produced from 1953-1956. One of the key reason for getting the Leica M3 is because of the discretion and portability of the cameras versus the nice but attention seeking Rolleiflex.

One can see the yellow hue from the len below

The first year or so of production (below about serial number 1,050,000) emits about 20 microSieverts per hour at the front of the lens (0.2 mR/hr or 2 µSv/hr from rear of lens), while lenses made from 1956-on are inert.

  

This is Leica's first 50mm SUMMICRON, with seven elements and 10 blades. It replaces the SUMMITAR(1939-1953), which replaced the SUMMAR (1933-1939, 6 blades). The two versions differ only mechanically from each other:

1952-1956: collapsible screw mount, 216.2g, 7.625 oz., SOOIC. (228.7g, 8.065 oz. mit M-adapter.)

(Source: http://www.kenrockwell.com)

7 elements in 4 groups.

http://www.antiquecameras.net/50summicronmlenses.html

Soviet FED camera

LEICA COPY RUSSIAN "FED-3" WITH LENS INDUSTAR-26m I

The camera was launched in celebration of the 50 anniversary of Communist Revolution in 1917. 
Body has Vladimir Lenin Bas-relief and Inscription in 
Russian:"ALWAYS READY"(to burn to a fire of world revolution)" 
And Red Flag with Inscription:"USSR" - on Top.

SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Lenin
SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution
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The serial production of the Soviet FED camera started in 1934 at a plant in a children labor commune in the city of Kharkov. The FED camera was named after F.E.Dzerzhinskiy, a famous Russian NKVD-KGB founder. Before the Second World War, approximately 160,650 FED cameras were produced, replicating the German Leica II. 

During the war the plant ceased operations and did not start up again until 1948. Then in 1955, the plant began producing the FED-2, an improved model of the FED camera. 

FED-3, in comparison with the FED-2, in the given camera the range of the exposures was extended. There were added 15, 8, 4, 2 and 1 seconds. The name FED 3 is engraved on the front of the camera in Russian and English. Still as always and unlike the Leica of that time the back was removable. 

Caution: The shutter must be wound first, only then can you set the correct speed. Camera was painted by Russian handmaster and it is very NICE Popular rangefinder Russian Camera.

On Jean Loup Princelle "The Autentic Guide to Russian and Soviet Cameras" has number F-170.
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Glass on lenses is clean, no fungus.
Body metal has #8565922
Comes with, lens cap with star, spool, english
manual, leather case and box.
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Technical information:
Camera Type: RF (rangefinder)
Film: 35mm
Image Size: 24x36mm
Lens: "Industar-26m" (Tesssar copy)
Focal length: 52
Relative aperture: F: 3,5
Focusing: 1M to infinite
Bayonet: M39 Leica screwmount (LTM)
Shutter speeds: 1c, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 of a second and "B".

Arte Di Mano Half Case for Leica M3

Arte Di Mano Half Case for Leica M3 

The best part of any shopping is the planning and evaluating and deciding stage. After months of reading from the various forum, I have finally decided on the Leica M3 body to be my ultimate one Leica camera, which I am planning to get it tonight. It is a 1957 camera originally M3 double stoke but during the course of usage, the previous owner has sent it back to Leica service and is now a one stroke camera.

As I am planning to use this camera for a long time, I am now looking for a nice camera case to protect and Arte Di Mano Half Case for Leica M3 has become my top choice. Buy Once, But the best you can.

https://artedimano.com/