Tower Type - 3

Tom Harrell · 03-18-2006

Hello to all,

Anybody got any experience (good or bad) with Tower Type - 3 camera's? I have one I bought off of Ebay a couple of years ago. It is in great shape with these exceptions: needs CLA, needs shutter curtains replaced, missing shutter release collor, very small peck on the top plate. The serial number of this camera is 27,991. It doesn't appear to have been used very much. I bought an I-22 lens to go on it. After doing that I bought a Leica IIIf BD at a trade show and never got back to fixing up this camera. I keep looking at it and wondering if I shouldn't get the curtains and CLA done so I would have a back up for my IIIf. Or should I set it on the shelf and put that money towards another lens for the IIIf? Decisions, decisions!

rover · 03-18-2006

Hi Tom, I bought a Tower Type 3 for the Nikkor lens that it was using as a body cap. I hung onto the camera for a month or so and then sold it because, well I only really wanted the lens. That said, I shot 2 rolls of film with it and was quite impresses. They are tiny cameras, well built, handle just like other Leica LTM cameras. Mine had been CLA'd, it was crisp accurate, the viewfinder was bright and contrasty. It had a nice rose colored RF patch.

Is it worth getting repaired? Sure, as long as it doesn't cost too much. You can probably buy a Type 3 with Nikkor for $300 or less if you are lucky. The body alone will probably run under $200. I may be wrong here. If the repair costs are within these ranges I would get it fixed and keep it as a user.

Tom Harrell · 03-18-2006

Hi Rover,

This one has 1/500 as the highest shutter speed and the view finder/range finder eyepieces are not close together as on a IIIf. Does that mean that it is a clone of an earlier Leica?

Tom

rover · 03-18-2006

Yes, I don't know if it is an exact clone of any particular Leica model, but yes in general it is a clone. Many cameras were, of course the early FSU cameras were direct clones and in time their forms changed. The Leica cameras directly influenced Canon's bottom loaders, but in time Canon added unique features like a combined RF/VF window with an adjustable magnification. The Nicca (who made your Tower for Sears) Kardon, Reid...they were all clones.

doubs43 · 03-18-2006

Tom, the Nicca-made Tower Leica clone is a very-well made camera and worth the cost of a CLA, etc. IMO. I have a later model with an advance lever rather than the knob and my only criticism is the lack of a rangefinder diopter adjustment. My old eyes need the adjustment!

Walker

Tom Harrell · 03-19-2006

Walker,

The Tower that I have has a diopter adjustment and it does help. I'll be 63 in June and know what you mean about old eyes. Do you use your Tower much? I think I'll email Don Goldberg and see if he will replace the curtains and give it a CLA. It does seem to be well built and just about the same weight as my IIIf.

Tom

doubs43 · 03-19-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Harrell

Walker, The Tower that I have has a diopter adjustment and it does help. I'll be 63 in June and know what you mean about old eyes. Do you use your Tower much? I think I'll email Don Goldberg and see if he will replace the curtains and give it a CLA. It does seem to be well built and just about the same weight as my IIIf. Tom

Hi Tom,

63 in June? Me too...... 3 June, 1943.

I don't use my Tower much any more as my eyes have a real problem with the rangefinder and I have several Leicas to choose from. The slow speeds no longer work correctly but otherwise it's fine. IMO the build-quality of the Towers is top notch.

Tell me more about Don Goldberg. (PM if you like) I haven't heard the name before and I'm always on the lookout for someone who does good CLA work on screw-mount Leicas at a reasonable price.

Walker

jonasv · 03-19-2006

Walker, you undoubtly already know Don Goldberg, but with a different name: DAG.

Tom Harrell · 03-21-2006

Walker,

Jonas is correct you probably know him as DAG. I think he does really good work, I plan on having the Tower camera CLA and new shutter curtains installed if he accepts the work.

June 4th is my birthday although I wrote in a different date in my public information. I am leary about things like that for some reason.

Tom

doubs43 · 03-21-2006

Apologies for not replying sooner but I've been almost unable to access RFF at all since late Sunday night. It's much worse than I ever experienced when RFF was on the old server. I hope Jorge is able to correct the problems soon. Withdrawal symptoms are getting to be severe!!

Thanks for the explaination about Don Goldberg. It's the first time I've seen his name and I simply didn't connect him with DAG.

Tom, I understand about the reluctance to share personal information. It's sad that we've come to this. Life was a lot simpler when we were kids.

Let me know what Don says about doing a CLA & curtain replacement on your Nicca.

Walker

Tom Harrell · 03-22-2006

Walker,

I guess we have all had problems trying to get on and poke around in RFF. I know the problem is being worked on and will be fixed. It is a great forum and is much appreciated.

I have to make a trip to Japan, leaving this Sunday. I won't be gone long but have lots to accomplish both there and when I return home. I plan on sending DAG an email about the NICCA Tower Type - 3 sometime after I get back. He's very prompt about answering. The camera is in fairly good condition except for the shutter curtains and missing shutter release collar, and slow speeds off. I know DAG can take care of the problems if he isn't too busy.

Warmest Regards,
Tom

Ronald M · 04-03-2006

If you need curtains, I recommend Markhama.com. $180 I send him the repairs others have screwed up and they come back right. Nice man and honest.

DAG is my favorite for most things.

Tom Harrell · 04-03-2006

Ronald,

What is his address, phone number and/or email address. Even if I don't use him this time it would be nice to have his particulars in my data base for repairs.

Thanks,
Tom Harrell

physiognomy · 04-08-2006

Hey Tom,

The only experience I have with Mark is asking for a quote to repair my Yashica Electro GT (to which he promptly replied)... From what I have read here he has a good reputation...

His contact details can be found on this link:

http://www.markhama.com/

Cheers !

Peter