Any real difference?

[Red Robin]

I've never used a Leica but do own and use both a Canon III as well as the Canon IIs2 . In use is there a difference? I only am thinking of such things as weight, viewfinder brightness, ease of film advance/changing? I really enjoy the Canons, but around this forum it kinda hard to ignore the mighty Leica.

[n5jrn]

Weight: Barnack Leicas are all metal and have a heft to them.
Viewfinder: Built-in one is squinty, has no parallax correction, and is for 50mm lenses only. You will need an accessory finder for other focal lengths.
Rangefinder: It's what sold me. Compared it to Canon and Nikon RFs at a camera shop, and the Barnack Leica was far easier for my eyes to focus.
Ease of film advance: Just twist the knob until it stops. Simplicity itself.
Ease of film loading: It's a fiddly procedure, though nowhere as difficult as some make it out to be. Trim the leader and follow the instructions in the manual.

[xayraa33]

As an owner of a Canon III and a IIs2 I do find that my Leica IIIf is easier to use but not to a great degree especially when compared to the IIs2.
The adjustable mag. RF diopter on the LTM Leica is a big help to elderly eyes I find.

YMMV if you buy a Barnack Leica with the typical weak RF image and you do not plan to have the 50/50 mirror replaced.

A Canon P or 7 is actually much easier to use than any Barnack design by any maker.

[JMQ]

Originally Posted by Red Robin

... I really enjoy the Canons, but around this forum it kinda hard to ignore the mighty Leica.

If you enjoy the Canons, stay with the Canons; and besides the Canon LTM lenses are great lenses. The key is to go out and take photographs with whatever equipment you enjoy and possess. best,

[Thomas78]

Originally Posted by JMQ

If you enjoy the Canons, stay with the Canons; and besides the Canon LTM lenses are great lenses.

I don't want to disagree, because the Canon LTM lenses are really nice, specially the Canon 50 / 1.5. And the 50 / 1.4 seem to be my highest resolution lens, perhaps together with the DR Summicron. And you can use the Canon lenses both on a Canon and a Leica body.

The Barnack Leicas ist quite similar to the early Canon RF, the only real differce is the Viewfinder/Rangefinder which is separate on a Barnack.
At fist I was a bit sceptial about this, but if you can take your time while shooting, I find the sepaerate (and 1.5x magnified at a Leica III - IIIg) RF very nice to use. The viewfinder is only about a 0.5 - 0.6x magnification, but it is bright (when cleaned) and because of the low magnification it is very easy the see the whole picture at once.

And I think the separate rangefinder is a better solution if you use external viewfinders most of the time.


So I think it is more a matter of VF/RF ergonomics between a early Canon RF and a Barnack Leica.
If possible, you should try out if this suits you better, before buying a Barnack.

Originally Posted by JMQ

The key is to go out and take photographs with whatever equipment you enjoy and possess. best,

That is the best advice!

Regards,
Thomas

[back alley]

if you like those old canons...get youself a canon p and be welcomed into ltm heaven!!

[goamules]

To me, the single viewport that has three magnification adjustments is a great Canon feature. The weights are similar, as is loading and winding. After owning about 6 Canon rangefinders, I got a Leica iiic a few Months ago. The rangefinder is pretty bright, but it's taken some getting used to because it's fixed magnification is about what the Canon's adjustable strongest is, yet you can't "flip it back to actual view." That's how I focus Canons; use the strong mag, then flip back for framing. With Leicas, you switch you eye to the other port. They both seem very good and just slightly different.

[dave lackey]

Well, you can use my III F in April!

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by Red Robin

I've never used a Leica but do own and use both a Canon III as well as the Canon IIs2 . In use is there a difference? I only am thinking of such things as weight, viewfinder brightness, ease of film advance/changing? I really enjoy the Canons, but around this forum it kinda hard to ignore the mighty Leica.

Well, tried to send you a PM but it is disabled... So, let me know if you want a test drive.

[MaxElmar]

I truly love my Canon P, but I couldn't warm up to the earlier knob-wind Canons. Probably my glasses again. The Canons are very nice. But if you don't have at least one Barnack, you really ought tor try one - and the Canons are getting expensive. Just get a beater IIIc for $130 and send it to Youxin for a CLA and beamsplitter replacement. Instant Q-ship.