View Full Version : Buy IIIg and F2 Summitar for $500?
Towermax
10-02-2008, 23:01
I have the opportunity to buy a Leica IIIg with a 50mm F2 Summitar, lens cap, and case for $500.00. This looks like a good deal to me, but I thought I'd better check with some experts, since I'm not familiar with any Leica.
I own several 1950s-1970s German and Japanese rangefinders (my favorite is a mint Retina IIIS), and have been thinking about getting a Leica for some time.
All I know about the camera at this point is that it's from the "early sixties", has been in a drawer for 22 years--and supposedly is in "impeccable condition" and "everything is fine except for the shutter it needs some minor work as it has been sitting." Umm, and I know that the IIIG is something desirable. It belonged to a deceased local collector whose collection is being sold off.
Before I go take a look at it, I'd be grateful to know if the price is as good as I think it is, assuming the condition is satisfactory. Second, any specific tips on what to look for on this model and lens?
Thanks,
Fred
If it really is a IIIg then that is a very good price, perhaps too low - does the bloke you're seeing know how much it could be sold for?
Towermax
10-02-2008, 23:26
If it really is a IIIg then that is a very good price, perhaps too low - does the bloke you're seeing know how much it could be sold for?
Yes, he knows it's rare--he quoted me ebay prices ranging from $900 up. He's selling many other cameras from the collection, so may just need money fast. I'm in no hurry and won't jump on it until I'm sure it's in good condition, and not a fake, etc.
Take it, even if it needs a cla, even if it needs new curtains, if it's in good general condition, it's a good deal.
Spyderman
10-02-2008, 23:52
If it's a iiig and it's in good working condition - by all means take it! If you don't like it you might sell it for 2 times that amount !
Roger Hicks
10-03-2008, 00:04
Dear Fred,
The IIIg is virtually impossible to fake as no other screw-mount had the brightline finder. In your situation I'd be on it like a hen on a backberry, even if it needed quite major repairs.
One word of warning: have the shutter repaired by a REFPUTABLE repairer, not an oil-can merchant!
Cheers,
R.
Take it, even if it needs a cla, even if it needs new curtains, if it's in good general condition, it's a good deal.
I'll certainly agree with that! And the 5cm f/2.0 is certainly a bonus!
Cheers,
At that price, a IIIg even without a lens is a bargain. I dare say it will need to be overhauled: the "sitting in a drawer" effect.
LeicaTom
10-03-2008, 02:23
You can`t fake a IIIG..........viewfinder and chassis is too complex, it`s a one and only design.
If it`s clean and has soild vulcanite, it`s a REAL good deal at $500, GO FOR IT!!!!!
From day one the IIIG was a "collectors" item, insiders knew in 1960 that the LTM was OVER at Leitz and they became novelities overnight, it`s one of the most collectable of all the LTM`s.
The Summitar lens is NOT original to the camera, it should have a Elmar f2.8 50mm lens, if it`s with a collection, dig around the lenses, while it was a IIIG "only" lens and the cameras worth alot more with that lens on it, if it`s still around......but even needing shutter work $500 IS CHEAP for a IIIG that`s clean, dent and damage free .
You can always SELL the Summitar lens and have enough cash to fix the shutter curtains......(ohh also check for original vulcanite covering as well, that went bad on many of the IIIG`s as well) Condition is EVERYTHING when it comes to Leica IIIG`s! :D
Tom
john neal
10-03-2008, 04:22
.... One word of warning: have the shutter repaired by a REFPUTABLE repairer, not an oil-can merchant!
Roger, that sounds quite heartfelt?
If it is a IIIg - you better buy this before the seller changes his mind. I use mine regularly and it makes for at the very least, a splendid compact back-up camera.
The IIIg finder IS special, and $500 is a GREAT price. But to my taste the IIIg is an ugly lump compared to the earlier Barnacks. If I were to be presented with such an opportunity I would jump on this deal like a bass on a junebug, send the thing to Youxin for a touch-up, sell it on eBay for 2X+, buy a nice IIIf and a Nikkor S.C. to actually go out and shoot with, and take my wife to dinner at French Laundry with the difference.
But to my taste the IIIg is an ugly lump compared to the earlier Barnacks. If I were to be presented with such an opportunity I would jump on this deal like a bass on a junebug, send the thing to Youxin for a touch-up, sell it on eBay for 2X+, buy a nice IIIf and a Nikkor S.C. to actually go out and shoot with, and take my wife to dinner at French Laundry with the difference.
Yep, the IIIg lacks that "je ne sais quoi" of the IIIc and IIIf - but the modern shutter speed progression and larger finder, with parallax corrected frame lines are nice in use.
xayraa33
10-03-2008, 07:14
The IIIg finder IS special, and $500 is a GREAT price. But to my taste the IIIg is an ugly lump compared to the earlier Barnacks. If I were to be presented with such an opportunity I would jump on this deal like a bass on a junebug, send the thing to Youxin for a touch-up, sell it on eBay for 2X+, buy a nice IIIf and a Nikkor S.C. to actually go out and shoot with, and take my wife to dinner at French Laundry with the difference.
Agreed, the IIIg lacks something the other Barnack Leicas have, a certain purity perhaps.
it is the only Leica I never kept.
I sold it and bought a IIIc with an f2 Nikkor lens, this was in 1978.
Like Roger, I believe
a good camera deserves a proper CLA , not the Shanghai oil bath treatment.
LeicaTom
10-03-2008, 08:36
hahahahaha.......yeah, seems alot here feel the same as I do too about the IIIG.
I say buy it, send it to Youxin for CLA and then sell it for $800, then buy a nice "early" 1946 "flat top" IIIC and a Nikkor or a Leitz Summarit lens and you have a great shooter!
(notice I didn`t suggest a "stepper" IIIC as I would normally do, while the prices of them lately have been going through the roof and junk is selling for crazy prices!)
Unfortunely the good ole days when you could get a decent stepped rewind platform pre 1947 IIIC seem to be over, the market`s all but dried up for the best of all LTM shooters :(
Tom
I say, get the camera, then sell it to me for monthly installments!
Towermax
10-03-2008, 15:17
OK, I bought it. Appears to be in very good cosmetic condition--some minor rub marks/light brassing around one of the strap eyelets, three very small dings/rubs on the baseplate, and that's about it.
Vulcanite appears near perfect, as do all screw heads. Serial numbers match inside and out. Shutter appears to work fine--speeds sound different--but self-timer doesn't work (it's locked in the down position for now). All the other knobs and levers move smoothly and properly as far as I can tell. Viewfinder is bright and clear and the brightlines are bright and solid. Rangefinder appears to work well. Shutter curtains look good and work well.
Lens looks barely used--it has a B+W 1X filter on it that has always been on it. No scratches, maybe a minor cleaning mark or two--can't tell for sure. Everything moves smoothly.
Lens cap looks almost new and case is in very good condition.
I'll post some pictures when I get a chance in the next few days.
Congrats. Enjoy this set. This was a good deal.
Congrats on the purchase Dan! I'm sure with a CLA, the IIIg will be a blast to use. I'm collecting mine today and can't wait!
Cheers,
One word of warning: have the shutter repaired by a REFPUTABLE repairer, not an oil-can merchant!
Cheers,
R.
I couldn't agree more!!!!!!
LeicaTom
10-03-2008, 21:27
Great deal Dan!
Ask Youxin Ye if he has some time soon for a CLA, I know (two) of my cameras will be taking up a weekend or two with him soon, but he has a faster turnaround then mostly anyone else and a eye for perfection with the work he does.
Tom
Time Freeze
10-04-2008, 05:20
I second the recommendation, Youxin replaced the shutter curtains and did a CLA on my iiif and my Summitar, which like your camera had sat unused for years. I had the camera back in a week working like new and at a very reasonable cost.
John
I second the recommendation, Youxin replaced the shutter curtains and did a CLA on my iiif and my Summitar, which like your camera had sat unused for years. I had the camera back in a week working like new and at a very reasonable cost.Hear, hear! This is exactly my experience working with Youxin, and I'm sure others will concur.
Are you sure the selftimer is stuck. It doesn't go off with the shutter release as with more modern cameras. It has its own release button. It's the round shiny button in the washer around the selftimer lever. Push it and it will release the lever.
But even when its really stuck, its a great price for a IIIg. A stuck ST will be easily fixed with a CLA that the camera will need anyhow after having been buried for that long.
JUMP ON IT! (If you don't want it, sell it to me for $550 and make yourself a little money!) ;)
oops, read that you bought it. Congratulations! (I'll still take if off your hands for $550 :) )
Towermax
10-04-2008, 13:14
Are you sure the selftimer is stuck.
Yes, it's stuck. I studied the manual very carefully before I touched anything--I'm absolutely paranoid about self-timers in general.
When I push in the self-timer release, it makes its ticking sound and moves about 2/3rds of the arc and then stops. I moved it back into the tensioned position to keep it safely locked so that I don't accidentally push/force it up and possibly lock up/damage the shutter.
I plan an immediate CLA (and anything else it needs) as soon as I can decide who to send it to. I've seen very good things said about Youxin Ye (in this thread already!), and also about John Maddox, Sherry Krauter, and DAG, and am checking out all four right now.
Interesting that $500 for a IIIg is a bargain. I admit to paying more for mine but the 1957 copy of Pop Photo's buying guide says that the IIIg with the 50mm f2 collapsable 'cron was $342, including FET. (All cameras had an excise tax in the 50s) With the 50mm f1.5 Summarit it was 30 bucks more. The IIIf with the 'cron was $336. Not much difference between the competing models. The only M at the time, the M3 with the 'cron was much more, $447. Those were princely sums at the time when $50 a week was considered a living wage for a family. John
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