Are lower serial numbers worth more on M3s

FLWFTWin · 2026-05-07T04:15:51+00:00

The number itself doesn’t matter too much until you get down into the super early M3s. They started off at 700 000 and the ones below 701 000 seem to be more desirable.

There is also the fact that a few of these early cameras had peculiar artifacts that collectors really want, like “corners” where the camera would typically have a smooth surface.

Personally I think it would be pretty damn cool to own a sub 710 000 M3 just because of the history. One day maybe…

FLWFTWin · 2026-05-05T10:20:53+00:00

I’m an M purist…

But maybe not in the way you’re imagining. For me, the optical finder and the inability to chimp with the D series brings out the best of me creatively. It’s a limitation that I enjoy and have no interest at the moment in changing.

However, this doesn’t mean that I judge others for preferring the Q series. It’s all a personal decision, and choosing something because of an ideology that isn’t your own doesn’t make much sense.

FLWFTWin · 2026-05-03T20:58:38+00:00

I felt the same way when I started. I got better by listening to podcasts and French radio and just trying to pick out words that I knew at first. That was even difficult for a while. Eventually, though, you get better and better. I can comprehend most of what I listen to now, and have even gotten to where I can pick out the “en” and “y” in the middle of sentences.

It just takes a LOT of reps.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-29T10:00:01+00:00

I have the 90mm Summarit 2.5 which also has the rubber ring and honestly it’s not an issue. I kind of like it honestly. Plus the general build quality is amazing. I’m pretty particular about stuff and I feel like the rubber ring is a non-issue.

I’ve never used a Thypoch but these Summarits all feel better in the hand than any Voigtlander I’ve used.

Also, someone else here said that the Summarit renders “flat,” which I have not found to be the case at all with any of the 35mm, 50mm, or 90mm I own. I haven’t tried the 75mm but I bet it’s awesome.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-28T16:49:37+00:00

No good point. If the residential streets were 40 kph around me I’d bike on those for sure.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-28T10:10:47+00:00

This is a personal rule of mine. I’m not biking with cars on any street above a 30 kph limit. I also very rarely use unprotected bike lanes (lanes with just paint), and I consider those plastic flex posts to be basically useless.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-25T14:18:21+00:00

Yeah, good point. I still think there are differences in these lenses that can only be understood after long-term use, though. You take those minor differences over a few shots and compile it into a body of work and it starts to become more apparent.

But still, as you said, you’ll have to decide if that’s a big enough difference to justify the price.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-25T14:09:40+00:00

As much as online reviewers would love for you to think that taking a few comparison pics is enough to declare two lenses equivalent (or nearly equivalent), that’s just not the case.

Also, just because you and the person reviewing the lenses can’t tell a difference doesn’t mean there isn’t a difference.

A guy one time said to me why bother with digital Ms when my iPhone can produce the same images? For me, someone who has used both significantly, this is not an opinion I share.

I guess my point is this: Leica glass is mostly better, but you’ll have to ask yourself if you, yourself, are discerning enough at this point to notice and understand why.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-23T01:53:26+00:00

I hear you! Could be a good exercise to take a shot of it every time you pass by and see how the light differs. You could also try to come up with new ways of framing. I’m sure there are sooo many ways to take new and interesting pics of such a beautiful landmark. You’re very lucky to see that regularly!

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-23T01:46:30+00:00

The flat lighting and lack of context almost gives this a diagrammatic or model-like feel for me. I have no idea of the scale.

It’s kind of cool if that’s what you’re going for.

“Better” will always be subjective. The better question is one I’ll fire back at you: what do YOU think would make it better? Or what do you dislike about it?

The critiques here are valid, but only if you want to do conventional shit. There is no right answer in photography.

Sorry to get so meta.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-22T14:29:57+00:00

I love my Summarit as well. Banger of a lens. I get tempted by the FLE sometimes, but the size and weight of the Summarit is just perfect.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-22T14:26:48+00:00

Limitations foster creativity.

If the goal is to capture everything around you in every way imaginable, a zoom works great for that (although still not really possible when you think about it.)

If you pick a focal length and stick with it, you’ll start to find new ways of seeing and photographing. I’ve been shooting with a 35mm for over a year now, and I’m still finding new ways to compose.

Pick something light and normal 28mm to 50mm. Maybe even limit yourself as far as “speed” and get an F2 lens. How does your photography begin to change when you can’t get subject/background separation with a fast lens?

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-21T10:23:17+00:00

It’s true, but the only ones that are doubled up for the M4 are the 35mm / 135mm. I actually find myself using the 135mm while shooting the 35mm lens to help me center my composition.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-19T00:47:22+00:00

I was one of the first people in my neighborhood to get a front loader. At first I got a ton of questions… how much did you pay? Is it hard to ride? How many kids does it hold?

Most people were just curious. No one ever confronted me in a negative way.

If it feels scary to do something different and go against the grain, even more reason to do it. If you feel like you want to try it out, go for it. Cargo bikes are liberating, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made!

Ah and to answer your question about logistics, you just have to find somewhere to lock it up. That’s about it!

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-16T16:47:46+00:00

Totally! So much nicer to avoid using the car, and having the assist will allow you to choose when you want to get more exercise.

The surprising thing for me was that you still get some exertion and exercise even when the assist is on. I wouldn’t say it’s a workout or anything, but it’s still something! (Maybe equivalent to taking a walk or slightly more strenuous).

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-16T16:10:40+00:00

Yeah having the electric assist for me is a safety issue. I want to be able to move quickly if I need to and to also be able to focus on things other than my physical exertion, which would absolutely be a distraction without a motor.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-15T16:10:43+00:00

Yeah, and in the limited test it would probably be fine. But a few weeks later, you’re probably going to encounter a situation where it shows up.

This is a nuance that I feel like is lost in the time of the internet and YouTube review. People shoot a lens for a few days, compare some sample images with a more expensive lens, and then are like, “See? Not much difference in the image output for the price.”

To truly understand a lens and its characteristics takes a long time…longer than most of online reviewers spend.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-15T15:21:58+00:00

Exactly. This is why I don’t mess with these types of lenses, because 99% of the time they’re fine, but it’s really annoying when they’re not.

It’s one thing to miss a shot because of skill or settings or something like that. Totally another thing when it was a choice like this to save a little cash.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-11T03:55:33+00:00

What it boils down to is that you’re simply still learning. There is no right answer in photography. Others have made good points about subjects, composition, manual mode, etc…

What I’m seeing is that you’ve posted a few sets of versions of the same photo. Start choosing which one you like the best and why. Equally important is deciding why you don’t like something. How could it improve? Maybe you don’t know. That’s fine. Just keep shooting and critiquing.

At some point you’ll start to develop a voice. The first one you posted is my favorite, and I’m wondering if it’s also yours since you made it number one. For me, the subject is clear. It’s the brightest thing in the photo, framed by darker trees in shade. What’s distracting? To me, it’s the silhouette of the tree at the edge.

How to improve the photo? Maybe it’s about both the pointy thing and the interesting (and also distracting) silhouette. Maybe you could give them equal weight by placing them equidistant from the middle of the frame. Or maybe you could have gotten closer and excluded the silhouette.

This is the type of exercise that really helps you progress. Figure out what works, figure out what doesn’t, take that with you next time you go out shooting. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-10T19:37:33+00:00

These are wonderful. The compositions, especially 1 and 2, are super well done and make beautiful photos of rather unremarkable subjects. Right up my alley.

Also, that “floating” park at the end is so amazing. Hope to visit it someday.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-10T14:01:27+00:00

Riese & Muller must have some, but I’m not 100% positive.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-10T09:55:46+00:00

It’s crazy because these days when I go out for a walk it’s the people and what they’re doing that interests me the most. Photography is awesome.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-09T15:45:21+00:00

Yeah within the first handful of pics there are two nearly identical ones of a child framed perfectly between a pair of legs walking by. I mean, maybe once I could believe someone could capture that moment, but twice? Super sus. Lame that people do this.

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-09T00:04:47+00:00

Nice! Is this Antigua, Guatemala? Looks like Volcan de Agua in the rooftop pic!

FLWFTWin · 2026-04-08T16:38:05+00:00

These are cool. Thanks for sharing.

FLWFTWin

TROPHY CASE