A Leica story

anandi · 10-13-2005

I thought some of you might appreciate this.

My father passed away about a year and a half ago and he had a Leica that he'd used more most of his adult life. It hadn't been used for over 30 years, but after his passing I had meant to get around to getting it serviced, but it took a while to be up to this. I finally dropped it off at a local repair shop that I trusted after getting a referral and set out to learn a little bit about it. From the serial number it turns out to be a IIIg, built in 1957. I figure that as soon as my father finished his graduate school in Germany and started working, he treated himself. I can only imagine that Leicas were as expensive new back then as they are now.

After getting it back from the service, it turns out to be in nearly perfect shape. Mechanically it feels wonderful. The winding action and feel of the shutter and precision of everything is astounding for a 50 year old machine. It really feels like a tool an engineer would design for himself. I got the technician/owner of the store to show me how to bottom load the camera, and am starting to work my way through my first roll. It's got an Elmar lens on it, would like to hear what it's like, but it doesn't really matter. It's my father's camera after all.

SolaresLarrave · 10-13-2005

Congratulations! The Leica IIIg is highly coveted as the best LTM body ever built.

Just be aware of the little trick there is regarding shutterspeeds: never switch them BEFORE cocking the shutter. In other words, turn the know to advance the film and then, if necessary, change shutterspeeds.

I hope someone who knows better confirms or corrects me. In any case, that's a nice story.

peter_n · 10-13-2005

Yes it is a nice story.

rover · 10-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by anandi

... would like to hear what it's like, but it doesn't really matter. It's my father's camera after all.

Amen friend, enjoy it like your dad would.

JoeFriday · 10-13-2005

it's YOUR camera now.. as I'm sure your dad would want it to be.. it's great that you're going to put it back into service!

FrankS · 10-13-2005

You are very fortunate that your father had such good taste in cameras! Enjoy, and honour his choice of camera.

Gordon Coale · 10-13-2005

I've been using my grandfather's IIIc that I just got back from Oleg. Not only are the Barnacks special cameras but it is extra special having been my grandfather's and remembering him using it at familly gatherings. anandi -- we were both blessed with ancestors with uncommon taste in cameras. Enjoy. Keep the film going through that camera.