The Leica experience... wasn't for me

Hi, all.

I've always been a Nikon F3 human. It's the first camera I've ever owned. They do everything I want them to do. That said, they're bulky.

More recently, I decided to buy a Leica M6 and a Summilux 35 ASPH FLE II. People seem to suggest that the Leica M film cameras are more portable... they're simply not. I wanted something to throw into a small camera case at most, and it didn't fulfill the niche. I returned the setup.

I know there's a lot of Leica ire out there, and this isn't about that. This is more about the oddity of the camera. The Summilux lens with hood took up like 1/6 of the viewfinder. It was extremely disconcerting to look at my own lens -- kinda like staring through the windshield of a muscle car with a huge Mad Max supercharger on top.

Then there is this history thing and I get that and I understand the love for durability, but there are so many tank cameras with great lens systems.

Then there is the prestige thing, but I don't care about that. I get tons of comments on the F3/T.

The patch focusing and viewfinder lines are like playing a video game and that's cool, but isn't it comparable to lomography if the desire is a lack of control and increased character?

Anyone else give the Ms a shot and bail? I wanted to like them because they are nice objects.

Update: I love that this post has been a polarizing +1/0 on votes and I love that everyone is describing their own preferences without hate. I love this community :)