Betty’s First Leica M3 Portrait
It’s time for a break from my New York photographs. What better way than to post my first photograph from the 1954 Leica M3 double stroke with collapsible 50mm Summicron I picked up. As is customary for me, the first photo of a “new” camera is with the lovely Betty.
The M3 is in the capable hands of Youxin Ye for a CLA and some cosmetic fixes. The top plate had a major dent as it was dropped, the vulcanite was cracked & peeled off in one section, infinity & close up focus was off (probably due to the camera being dropped) and the bottom plate was a little bent and wasn’t closing properly. All these problems will be fixed/replaced and I’ll have a nice camera I can use for another lifetime. The lens has a bit of haze but Mr. Ye mentioned that it was normal for a lens of this age and that it was in good condition and that he’s seen worse. So overall, this photo that I took before I sent it is pretty good no? I think so.
Leica M3, Tri-x 1600 iso, Diafine 3+3
POTD: The entire website of New York based photographer Q. Sakamaki (thanks Alan). I was hooked after the first set in his gallery page as there are some excellent photographs there. An inspiration to look up to. Wow..just wow.
If you are able to produce a photograph as good as that with an M3 with as many issues as yours, you have a promising future ahead of you! I don’t think you can beat an M3 with a Summicron.
Paul Hart September 21st, 2008 at 3:30 pmBy the time one could finish reading and understand the instruction book form a digital camera a photographer with an M3 could have started a career.
william September 25th, 2009 at 6:39 amBy the time one could finish reading and understand the instruction book form a digital camera a photographer with an M3 could have started a career.
Not so sure 🙂 There is a lot to learn with a film camera but it is so rewarding! Digital pick up and get a picture all in 10 seconds.
Bruce February 9th, 2011 at 1:16 pm