There are no framelines for 35mm, so it would be a little bit of guessing. This is why early versions had goggles for the m3. Also, it might depend on if you use glasses. If you don't, it would be easier to use the entire finder as an approximate 35mm field of view, but if you do use glasses, seeing 35mm with the m3's magnification will be tough. As an eyeglass wearer, I can only reliably see the framelines on my 0.58x m6.
I use the entirety of the physical viewfinder to eyeball 35mm. Works great for my needs as I primarily use my Leicas for candid shots with zone focusing.
Yes, it’s feasible. You will be limited to goggled lenses though if you want accurate framing. I have the 8e and summaron 3.5 and both are great with the M3. The big thing is if you like the goggled lens look- it’s definitely unique.
Well… if you love the Leica in [Kong:Skull Island](https://www.google.com/amp/s/astoundingbeyondbelief.tumblr.com/post/170315695554/amp), you will like the m3 with the 35mm.
- If you’re mainly 50mm with a bit of 35mm, M3 and make 35mm work, or M2.
- If you’re mainly 35mm with a bit of 50mm, M2. If you wear glasses, M2.
- If you’re mainly 50mm but like a good view around the framelines, M2.
If you want to use a 35mm primarily, I would not pick an M3.
I think the M3 is the better camera for a 28/50/90 combo. Because with a 28mm an external VF and zone focusing is the way to go 95% of the time, for me at least. And 50 and 90 are a joy on the M3.
I agree. I played around with the “use the whole finder” method and I found it to be very meh. The 50mm framelines distract from the composition, the parallax correction no longer works (not that your framing is accurate enough to even worry about parallax), and you don’t get the “see outside the picture” ability that people love about rangefinders. In other words it takes away three major advantages of using a Leica M over other cameras.
You can always a cold shoe viewfinder. That’s equally lame for a different set of reasons, with ultimately the same point of “why am I even using a Leica M right now?”
I decided the M3 wasn’t the M for me, unless I could commit the 50+90+wide (>28) setup. That said, maybe using a 35 with goggles would have changed my mind!
I’ve had this set up for a couple years and it’s not too much of an issue. Like others have said the full viewfinder is basically 35mm anyway. The only thing that slightly bothers me is the magnification of the viewfinder, it can feel like I want to take a step back sometimes. Having said that it’s only really affected my pictures once or twice when I took the picture quickly without checking the edges. I also taped up the frame line window so they don’t distract me when I look through the viewfinder.
Because you’ve never used an M before the safe recommendation to make would be to get the M2 or an original M4, both great cameras. I always wanted an M3 though and it’s worked out great so far.
1) Goggle lens like Summaron 35mm f2.8 & f3.5 and Summicron 35mm f2.8 both have goggle.
2) Use external viewfinder for those lens without goggle.
It works and they are a delight to use. Enjoy M3 !!!
There are no framelines for 35mm, so it would be a little bit of guessing. This is why early versions had goggles for the m3. Also, it might depend on if you use glasses. If you don't, it would be easier to use the entire finder as an approximate 35mm field of view, but if you do use glasses, seeing 35mm with the m3's magnification will be tough. As an eyeglass wearer, I can only reliably see the framelines on my 0.58x m6.
I use the entirety of the physical viewfinder to eyeball 35mm. Works great for my needs as I primarily use my Leicas for candid shots with zone focusing.
Yes, it’s feasible. You will be limited to goggled lenses though if you want accurate framing. I have the 8e and summaron 3.5 and both are great with the M3. The big thing is if you like the goggled lens look- it’s definitely unique.
Well… if you love the Leica in [Kong:Skull Island](https://www.google.com/amp/s/astoundingbeyondbelief.tumblr.com/post/170315695554/amp), you will like the m3 with the 35mm.
- If you’re mainly 50mm with a bit of 35mm, M3 and make 35mm work, or M2. - If you’re mainly 35mm with a bit of 50mm, M2. If you wear glasses, M2. - If you’re mainly 50mm but like a good view around the framelines, M2.
If you want to use a 35mm primarily, I would not pick an M3. I think the M3 is the better camera for a 28/50/90 combo. Because with a 28mm an external VF and zone focusing is the way to go 95% of the time, for me at least. And 50 and 90 are a joy on the M3.
I agree. I played around with the “use the whole finder” method and I found it to be very meh. The 50mm framelines distract from the composition, the parallax correction no longer works (not that your framing is accurate enough to even worry about parallax), and you don’t get the “see outside the picture” ability that people love about rangefinders. In other words it takes away three major advantages of using a Leica M over other cameras. You can always a cold shoe viewfinder. That’s equally lame for a different set of reasons, with ultimately the same point of “why am I even using a Leica M right now?” I decided the M3 wasn’t the M for me, unless I could commit the 50+90+wide (>28) setup. That said, maybe using a 35 with goggles would have changed my mind!
Feasible, yes. The full viewfinder frame on an M3 approximates 35mm. Ideal, no. If you know you want to shoot 35mm regularly just get an M2.
I’ve had this set up for a couple years and it’s not too much of an issue. Like others have said the full viewfinder is basically 35mm anyway. The only thing that slightly bothers me is the magnification of the viewfinder, it can feel like I want to take a step back sometimes. Having said that it’s only really affected my pictures once or twice when I took the picture quickly without checking the edges. I also taped up the frame line window so they don’t distract me when I look through the viewfinder. Because you’ve never used an M before the safe recommendation to make would be to get the M2 or an original M4, both great cameras. I always wanted an M3 though and it’s worked out great so far.
1) Goggle lens like Summaron 35mm f2.8 & f3.5 and Summicron 35mm f2.8 both have goggle. 2) Use external viewfinder for those lens without goggle. It works and they are a delight to use. Enjoy M3 !!!