Jon

Not seen a Ru with the dioptre correction like yours...

Noel

Here's my IIIF

My III (f)
 

I am loving my new to me III (f)
Just put a new Aki Skin on a Gordy's Strap and Loaded with Tri-X
Digital-Smigital:)

Trying out some new/old film in my Barnacks. New to me, at least since I haven't used them in a long time. I have the Leica IIIc loaded with Kodachrome 64 and the Zorki Standard has Tri-X. The finder in the second two pictures is a WINTU. A right angle finder. It has a little prism that swings down and works for focusing. And my Weston Master IV is back with a new cell and nicely calibrated. Forward, into the past!

DrLeoB, your IIIf ca. 1946 arouses curiosity. A prototype?

May as well introduce myself - just bought a Leica IIIf. Now that my Olympus OM-1 is living on its last batteries it seems like the last reason not to get one has gone - although I also have a digital camera for when you just need something to put in your pocket.

The camera will definitely be a shooter, and on the basis of the first roll of film seems to be working absolutely fine, although the rather scratched Summar will be getting replaced some time soon. I've been reading this place for a while before registering, and I look forward to learning a thing or two.

IIIc and IIIf
 

Introduction:
Michael Eric Berube, GoodPhotos.com/AnotherMaine.com

Long time LUGger. Shoot strictly digital for work now. RF for fun.
Sold my CL. Sold my M5. Sold my M4P. Sold my Bessa R & R2.
I don't really miss any of them.
I couldn't, however, bring myself to sell the battle worn and pitted, venerable IIIc.
I've also just acquired a very nice IIIf to also use with my Summarit 50mm/1.5 and my Elmar 9cm/4...

Update
 

OK. So I've found that I so prefer the IIIf that I DID part with the IIIc and traded the older body to a dear friend for a Rolleiflex MX-EVS type 2 (75/3.5 Schneider-K) that he wasn't using much. I've always wanted a Rollei and other than an old Ikon 6X9, I didn't have a medium format any more.

Also added a red dot to the IIIf, just for fun...(like I had previously to my old M5.)



I'll eventually add a 21/4 CV to the RF kit and go have even more fun with it.

IIIc
 

IIIc with Summitar 50/2.0, original EU36 UV filter and Barndoor Hood

IIf in almost perfect cosmetic condition except for a couple of scuff marks on the base plate.

GoodPhotos - mind if I ask what the red filter over the right rangefinder window is? Does it help with focussing? This is the IIIf above with the VC 50mm Color Skopar attached. I was sorely tempted by the f1.5 Nokton but was put off by the sheer size of it. Having taken a few test rolls I have the feeling I'll end up using the Skopar for colour and the Summar for B&W.

Leica?
 

GoodPhotos: Your fine cameras deserve at least one classic Leica lens.

Raid

Seabadger,

yes the little push-on orange cover (ORAKU or OKARU, depending on your camera model) is to assist in focussing. Because only one window is covered, you get a brighter central dot that give increased contrast which makes it easier to see when focus is achieved.

I had one and stupidly sold it with my IIIf, now I need one for my IIIc and II (Doh!)

John - many thanks. I may try to find one of these or possibly see if I can improvise something - from what you've said it's sounds as though they're rarities. I have the feeling the rangefinder (and shutter, for the slow speeds at least) would benefit from a service - should be able to get round to it within the next few months, I hope.

Seabadger,

DAG has both types (i.e. up to IIIb and IIIc onward) available at $25 each - a very good price for what is becoming a rarity. In the UK they are often £25 to £30 each. I need to order some other stuff from Don, and may well include one of these for my IIIc.

Here's my new 1939 Leica III with Summar 50/2.
It's seen some hard usage over the years but it still works perfectly. The top plate of this camera has a substantial amount of brassing but no damage. The rangefinder patch is still nice and contrasty and seems to be calibrated correctly.

I guess the old uncoated Summar that it carries right now wouldn't be worth shooting with these days? FWIW i'm gonna replace that with an Industar 61 for now.

This camera came from eBay-UK for £72 UKP + postage. A veritable bargain methinks and my introduction to a real life Leica. The only problem is that I now want a good condition IIIc or IIIf to shoot with!

Brassing? Looks like it encountered the business end of an orbital sander! :)

Wow! Bargain or what? I would love to have a Summar.

The brassing looks like some sort of chemical reaction - perhaps it was stood in a pool of vinegar for a few years?

A candidate for black paint, perhaps....

I think it gives it "character"

btw , Trawlerman - yes, the old uncoated summar is useless, send it to me for safe disposal ;)

Only joking, have a look around the forum for some excellent shots taken with uncoated lenses - there'll be plenty of life in the old dog yet :) give it a try - you might love it !

Peter,

Thanks for the comments. I'll have a look around for pics from a Summar. If it's still ok I might give it a run out sometime.

For now i'm happy just to have a Leica even if it does look a bit a dilapidated. :rolleyes:

My apologies for not answering sooner. I've been PhotoShopping weddings.
Yes, as John Nicely pointed out, the RF filter helps provide contrast for faster focusing. You CAN put it on either RF window giving you either an orange patch in a clear field or a clear patch in an orange field (as I have it.)

I found mine on the IIIf that I have now, but bought it for use on my IIIc before I bought the IIIf. Paid about $10.
:)

My Summarit is the greatest of classic Leitz glass as is my 9CM/4 Elmar!
:rolleyes:
I no longer have the M5 or the CV 25/4 that is mounted on it in that photo, though I may end up picking one of them OR the CV 21/4 again for wide use.

GoodPhotos - thanks.

John - is DAG a member / dealer on this site? Apologies to both of you for what may be daft questions but I'm still very much finding my way both with this site and with LTM Leicas.

Trawlerman - from my limited experience, I wouldn't get rid of the Summar without giving it a fair chance. Having put a few rolls through my IIIf with a Summar, I'm certainly going to keep the lens. It's not up to anything like modern standard lens quality in almost every way, but it has something about it when used for B&W wide open or so.

Seabadger,

I don't think DAG is a member here (bicbw), have a look at the DAG Camera website, on the LTM page here:
http://dagcamera.com/leica.htm

i have bought parts from Don and he does offer a really good service.

Here`s my Leica IIIC K Grey that`s just arrived in the mail today, many thanks to the "Doctor" for the opportunity to acquire this amazing and very historical Leica, one of only 500 that was delivered to the US Army in May 1945


More about this camera and the history of it in a separate thread coming soon.....

WOW! Bring the story on the Leica!
My humble Tower... the only reason I bought her was to use the Nikkor's LTM that I have.. turn out being much better than expected... surprise surprise!

Does yours have "W.H." engraved on it?

I had a guy come into the shop I work at PT a month or so ago with a K that looked as nice as the one you've got there. Stupidly, I didn't get his contact information. he claims to have an offer in on an entire military issue kit for the K that he is thinking of buying and I didn't know where to send him for more info other than Stephen Gandy's short write up on the camera. I've since got all sorts of information for him and a few expert collectors who want to speak with him about this tidy bit of History. His is a "Wehrmacht Heer" version evidently because it is engraved "W.H." on the top plate. T

I REALLY wish I'd thought to get his contact information. I don't want his camera, (quite happy with a useable IIIf RD) I'm just really interested in the history of it.

It would be interesting to know if the WH was original.
Keep in mind there are Russian and Polish counterfeit WH and HH (Heinrich Hoffman, Hitler's Photographer) copies available on eBay. Some of the fakes are really wacky and obviously fake while others are quite good. You can find a Fed 1 with Leica markings and the WH either engraved or screened in the proper place. Unless one is aware of all the original markings, serial numbers, and real Leica's to begin with, it would be easy to purchase a fake that was sold with a good war story for a few hundred bucks instead of paying the thousands the original would be worth.
One easy give away when trying to spot fake military Leica's is to note the shutter release. Real Leica's of that vintage did not have a cable release socket opening in the release. That type of "Leica" would be a Zorki body.

Steve

WOW! If he comes back to the SHOP get his infos for me, I would be very interested to help him out :)

No mine is a US Army issue camera, it was made during the last weeks of WW2 but NEVER delivered to the German Army, shortly after the surrender a US Army General took delivery of 500 of them, all Grey IIIC K cameras and they were given to various American Army officers in the ETO

I`ve uncovered in the past two months (1) fake and (1) very modified and doubtful IIIC K on the ebay, it`s a good place to buy "normal" vintage Leitz equipment, but the rarer it gets the more suspect I am.....

One did sell RECENTLY there that was the REAL thing and a new owner got a great deal and paid a little less than $2,000 for it, it was also a US Army Issue camera as mine is

PS: as for Hoffman`s cameras....they were NEVER engraved as such, I knew of only ONE camera that was 100% positively his and that was a 1939 IIIB with a Mooly motor that they recovered original paperwork bearing his ownership on the camera, it was also *very well used*

My First Leica: 1932 Leica II(D)
 

Hello,

My first post here. Just joined today. I am returning to film photography after being away for forty years or so. I have just recently purchased my first Leica, a 1932 Leica II (D) SN 92605, lavoratory seat model, with what was said to be its original lens, a 5cm Elmar 1:3.5 with infinity at 11 o'clock, no SN on lens. If I figure this postng out, there will be a photo attached. Comments about whether the lens is likely original or not would be appreciated. I thought I should start where Leica started. :)

My previous stead - of years past - was a Canonflex that I bought in 1960. I still have it, with a very nice 100 mm 1:2 lens, great for portraiture, except for the *kerplunk* of the instant return reflex mirror. I am looking forward to a quieter and more gentle exposure signature.

Of the things I have learned so far, the most baffling is the LTM thread specification as M39 x 26 TPI. That pitch is close to 1.0 mm. How did that heppen, OB?

I am looking for a portrait lens, a short telephoto of 85 to 100mm focal length. Recommendations would be appreciated.

Lookin' Ahead,

RC in Vermont, USA, sunny and hot (95F = 35C) today for an unusual change

Congrats on the Barnack, tooner and welcome to RFF. Nice looking outfit. I use mostly wides, but I have an uncoated Elmar 9cm that I use rarely/occasionally. Works for me and they can usually be acquired at a very reasonable price.

Cary, I expect you mention the M adapter only in passing.

Tooner, with any lens other than a 50 mm, you'll need an accessory finder.

Hi Tooner,

At first I suspect that the 11 o'clock Elmar is a bit older than the camera but have no way to prove it. Some 11 o'clock lenses were modified from fixed versions.

A 90XXX serial number puts the camera around 1932. I think I remember reading that was around the time they moved away from the 11 o'clock position, so it might be the original lens.

So, maybe yes, maybe no.

So, you might say, why bother to write this post? The answer is that there are plenty of unknowns about Leica production and trying to find out more is a hobby of mine. Maybe someone who does know the date of introduction of the infinity lock will chip in.

Whatever, it's a great camera and lens.

Michael

My strange black LTM leica
 

Mauro, what (second photo) is the pale blue thingummy near the shutter speed dial? Looks like a bit of glass or a reflection, but both are unlikely.

Michael,

I have a II body with a 8xxxx serial, probably from the same batch. I too think this is 1932, and my 11 o'clock Elmar has a serial that is pre-1933. From my research, the Elmar did not have a serial prior to 1932, when numbering started at 80000. Mine is in the 120xxx range and pre-1933, according to Leica records.
1933 was about when the 7 o'clock became the standard infinity lock position.

Interesting info, William. Love the history tidbits. Thanx!

Attachment 47126

"Eva", a 1938 Standard, complete with a 1936 uncoated 3.5cm Elmar.
:D

Grr Dave, you have a nice elmar on it now. Well, I guess mine had a summicron on it for a while (and mine's nice black) :D