Purchase of a "CLAed" IIIf

[Ctho]

Dear fellows,

Need some expert advice on this 50 years old rangefinder. I had an opportunity to purchase this camera at USD700.00. It had been recently CLA, comes with an 50mm f2 collapsible type lens. The viewfinder is clean as I play around with it for half an hour, focusing and film advance is smooth. The feeling of holding it is un-describeable... Amazing!

But there are still few questions I will need to ask before commiting myself to the deal...

1) Does this model only accepts 50mm lenses and screw-mount? I am from Singapore and I think I might have some difficulty finding screw mount lenses.

2) Is USD 700.00 is good deal? I heard people saying that they bought the camera ar like, USD300 and etc... Just to make sure that I'm paying the right price.

3) Any particular issues that I should look out for? Or any other suggestions are always welcome...

Many thanks in advance for replying and reading.

Have a nice weekend ahead.

CT.

[dreilly]

1. It can take any LTM lens. 50mm are considered "native" to the camera because that's what the VF shows. You'd have to guess framing or use an external finder for wide-angle or tele-photo lenses.

2. I'm not sure. I CLA by the best can be over $200, but it can also be less than that. What 50/2 is it? That matters as well. If it's a summar, not really, if it's a summicron, pretty good deal, assuming the glass is perfect. For example, there's a IIIF, case and Summitar lens on ebay BIN right now for $395. Or it's gone! But anyway, add $200 and you get $595.

Then again, buying from KEH or Ritz, you might be getting up there quickly. Other opinions on this? I think we really need to know what the lens is.

[Ctho]

I will contact the dealer now. will update on the name of the lens.

thanks,
ct.

[Ctho]

Dear fellows,

Another question on my mind.... Can I use a 35mm or 90mm on the IIIf? I'm had been reading that the IIIf viewfinder is only for the 50mm? Is this info correct?

Thanks.
CT

[rover]

Sure you can, but you will need to use external viewfinders. The IIIf finder has no framelines and is roughly the view of a 50mm lens. All other focal lengths require an external finder for proper composition.