Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/12/16

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Subject: [Leica] M3 with Summarit 1.5/50mm
From: jayanand at gmail.com (Jayanand Govindaraj)
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 08:10:56 +0530
References: <mailman.696.1324079651.33714.lug@leica-users.org> <CB114797.FE40%manolito@videotron.ca>

I agree - the M3 is a sensational piece of engineering, and the Summarit
50mm is an average to poor lens - it is difficult to get in good condition.
Fogging is bound to be there, and also check out for plenty of micro
scratches on the soft front element from decades of cleaning. I would say a
Summicron from that generation, or a LTM Nikon or Canon 50mm f1.4 with one
of Gandy's  LTM-to-M adapters would be better. Of course, the present range
of Summarits, the 'cheap' lenses with max aperture of f2.5, would probably
be better still. Are Leica still manufacturing them?
Cheers
Jayanand

On Sat, Dec 17, 2011 at 5:38 AM, EPL <manolito at videotron.ca> wrote:

> M3 bodies are a dime a dozen (or something like that).
>
> If my name was Brian and this was my list, I'd make ownership of one Leica
> M3 body a prerequisite for signing on to the LUG.
>
> In my opinion, the M3 is the finest expression of the mechanical age.
>
> Leitz Wetzlar made well over 200,000 M3 bodies. A reasonably nice example
> -- any version will do (they are all good) -- can be had for about $500.
> Not
> bad for an icon right up there with Marilyn, RayBans and the Rolex Sub.
>
> I'd skip the Summarit. Any 50/2 Summicron wil do better, but try searching
> for a collapsible one without front element cleaning marks if you want the
> ultimate retro/HCB kit.
>
> Somehow, though, just about every lens looks just right on an M3. It's THE
> body.
>
> Emanuel
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
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>


In reply to: Message from manolito at videotron.ca (EPL) ([Leica] M3 with Summarit 1.5/50mm)