Hi leica users, I just bought an early model M3 today.I got hard time to load the film into the film spook.How do i know the film is advancing.Since there are no meter,why there is a asa dial at the back of the camera?Do i need finder for 35mm summercron len? thank you all. raymond

-- raymond teng (rteng@yahoo.com), July 15, 2001

Answers

The rewind knob has a slot, a single dot or two dots that will rotate as the film advances. The ASA dial is to remind you what type of film you have loaded. You can try estimating the 35mm field of coverage by using the wholeof the viewfinder. They also made old versions of the 35/2 with special goggles that altered the 50mm field of view to match the 35mm. I feel the separate finder is the best way to go. Cosina/Voigtlander makes an inexpensive one.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), July 15, 2001.

Mr. Teng, after loading the camera, gently raise and turn the rewind knob in the direction of the arrow until you feel increased resistance. As you advance the film leader to the first exposure, the red dots inside rewind knob should turn if it is loaded correctly. If it doesn't, you have to start again. You should get in the habit of checking this out frequently as you advance the film. The ASA dial is just for you to remind yourself what film is loaded in the camera; it doesn't matter whether you use it or not. You can tell if the camera is loaded by gently trying to turn the rewind knob as though you were about to rewind the film. If it turns freely, there is no film in the camera. You will need a finder for the 35mm lens, (unless the lens has "goggles" attached to it for use especially on the M3). Congratulations on your purchase, and good shooting.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), July 15, 2001.

Good advices from John and Bill. Just one more thing: perhaps the easiest thing to do is to watch whether the holes in the film did get engaged in the sprocket and whether the film is going straight, I mean parallel to the film rails just by raising the back door of your camera. I always check both items when loading a new roll and have never got a misloaded one because I have had the opportunity to correct mistakes on time. Congratulations. Have fun

- Iván

-- Ivan Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), July 15, 2001.

Congrads on your new camera. If you just want to try out a 35mm finder I would recommend a Russian one that goes with the Jupiter 35m lens. I find my Russian 35m viewfinder which can be had for $30, more accurate than my Voigtlander/Cosina 25m which probably costs around $100 (came with the lens).

-- Gerald Widen (gerald@sfa1.com), July 16, 2001.

Thank to everybody answering my question.I just test shot a roll of 36 mm film and process and scan to my computer.It came out incredible result.It is a thrill to go out to the street with a camera without meter and without all the auto hightech features. I just find out how difficult to shot street photos ,aiming to all the strangers.Oh,by the way,the camera i just bought m3 serries 757***,which made in 1954 is much better shape than my nikon n90.

-- raymond teng (rteng@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.

Its easy loading if you have(still) the removable film spool. Find it easier and quicker than the M6 drop-in.Hey I use the M3 for 37 years....So the few months old M6 lil difficult. You can judge the 35mm frame by using all of the finder.Its close but not perfect.I have a35mm finder from Canon and its nice.Look for used only. Taking pictures of strangers.There are 2 ways-theft,needed from time to time.Other times simply talk and smile and ask and smile and say thank you!The Leica is the BEST camera for candids.Its something of its heritage to go thru boundaries and borders...I feel I have a right to take these pictures.I do not feel a voyeur as with my SLR. Also hate the part when mirror up, and do'nt see exact moment of exposure unless the other eye opened.

-- jason gold (leeu72@hotmail.com), July 19, 2001.