IIIf RD worth repair? Where?

[mh2000]

Actually kind of getting away from RF's lately... but in a used bookstore that also sells cool junk today... and there, for $25!, was a decent looking Leica IIIf RD with RS Elmar... that's a lens that I always kind of wanted, but the body has a dried, cracked and slow shutter... I could sell the body as-is on ebay and just put the lens on my IIIc... but since I got the body for practically nothing... thinking about fixing it. The condition is "nice," few minor light scratches, but there is a bright mark on the top from the case... other than the bright mark it is probably KEH "EXC," with the mark probably "EXC-"

So what do you think, worth fixing?

How much for new curtains and where?

I'm not willing to pay top dollar for the premier Leica specialists... but need recommendations.

Also, always read the the Elmar RS is the best LTM Elmar, but I haven't been able to find many bokeh samples... anyone want to share?

Thanks!

[digitalintrigue]

Absolutely fixable and reasonable. Youxin, no question. But you'll need to wait until he's back from his China trip.

Or just sell it to me, I'm looking for an Elmar RS. :)

[payasam]

The curtains, as you say, and probably the R/F beam splitter. You can set a rather better price after an overhaul.

[Phil_F_NM]

For what you need, Youxin will charge under $200USD and he'll be really fast.
You could always sell it to me as well...

Phil Forrest

[mh2000]

I sent an email... thanks! What about the lens, can I just service that myself? I restored an Industar and it was super easy. That way I can start using the lens right away. :)

[John Shriver]

Red scale Elmar is soft coated -- cleaning of that, especially the internal surfaces, is best left to professionals. All to easy to "clean" off the coating.

[Rob-F]

I would certainly buy it at that price! I send my LTM Leicas to John Maddox at L&J camera repair in Greenville, SC. He has replaced the curtains on my IIIc, and is now doing the same on another. Good work, fair price!

[mh2000]

EEKS! Thanks for that information!

Red scale Elmar is soft coated -- cleaning of that, especially the internal surfaces, is best left to professionals. All to easy to "clean" off the coating.

[mh2000]

how do you clean the outer element then? In use you sometimes have to do this... though I always do it minimally, but sometimes you get something on your lens.

Don't know ahything about soft coatings.

thanks!