Leica M3 and DR 'cron with specs off'n'on

mkk707
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Leica M3 and DR 'cron with specs off'n'on
Leica M3 and DR 'cron with specs off'n'on

Single Stroke Leica M3 (10150)
Leitz Summicron-M 50 mm DR dual range lens (11318)

The M3's rangefinder is not designed to function at ranges below 1 metre. To achieve some semblance of close-up capability, the dual range Summicron could be used. At one metre range, the focusing barrel hits a notch. This notch, which is easily visible in the above picture, can be passed by pulling out the barrel a few millimetres and revolving it past 1 metre.

Then the goggle that comes with the DR lens has to be snapped on. Only after that can the barrel be rotated further, down to a range of 50 cm.

This is not really what I'd call "macro range" yet. A 1964 Summicron I for the Leicaflex SLR can also focus down to 50 cm, without all that rigmarole. Also, I have used the DR lens with goggle for "close-up" photography quite a lot and can confirm that when approaching 50 cm, the rangefinder is anything but accurate and easy to use.

For real macro work with an M3, you'd need a Visoflex or even bellows. But then, the setup gets so bulky that it no longer is useful for outdoors work.

I might get a Visoflex anyway some day, just to satisfy my curiosity. It sounds like fun. Not because it is easy. But because it is hard.

Just for the record, lest you get the wrong impression: I am a great fan of the M3. I think it is a magnificent piece of engineering. Its very quirks make it all the more worthy of respect. While I certainly own cameras that are easier to use, I know none that is as good as the Leica M3.

Shot with a Canon EOS600D DSLR and a Leitz Macro-Elmarit-R 60

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Taken on: May 20, 2017
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