The beauty of a Barnack?

Dave Wilkinson · 03-03-2010

I occasionally wonder how many others are of the same opinion, or am I in a very small minority? ( not really worth a poll ). The 'M' Leicas are superb instruments - ( I've had a couple over the years ), but there is just an indefinable 'extra something' about my 1939 - '111'. Viewfinder, winding etc. issues apart - I just prefer handling and using the old gal!, To me - such classic good looks puts everything else in the shade!. The problem is - it is such a 'camera geek' magnet at times - too many people want to look, touch, and talk!. So - be honest folks! is not that old 'screw job' the bigger joy to hand and eye?

Dave.

tennis-joe · 03-03-2010

I have a couple of Barnacks, IIIf Red and they are things of beauty. I got an Elmar 50f2.8 cleaned by Sherry as it came with on and was very cloudy. I am really astounded of the results. It is quiet but not as quiet as the M cameras but lighter and eye catching for sure.
Joe

Keith · 03-03-2010

Dave,

I had quite a serious screwmount collection a year or so ago the pinacle of which was an immaculate IIIG. Due to financial strife they all had to go but for one ... my black Leica II from 1933 which was CLA'd with a new covering by Youxin a couple of years ago.

I don't shoot with it often (I should) but just picking it up every now and then and having a good look at it puts me in touch with just how simple photography really can be! Going outside and standing in the dirt in bare feet and feeling that earth, reminds us of who we are and where we came from. This camera does that photographically for me!

coelacanth · 03-03-2010

I love my IIIf RD. I also owned IIIf BD and Russian copies in the past. M cameras are also beautiful and practical, but Barnack has got its own charm that you just can't find in newer M cameras. And for street snaps, Barnack is actually very practical and easy to use. That tiny size and light weight are also very very nice for everyday shooting and carry around.

Only a couple of problems I have for practical street use are louder (compared to M) shutter sound and rotating shutter dial that can be touched and slowed down by finger if you are holding camera awkwardly during quick hip shot.

All in all, size, product design, operation, everything about the Barnack Leica is so LOVELY.

Oh and they are quite a model, too.

Printed on Ilford MGIV FB

dogberryjr · 03-03-2010

I found a IIIf for a good price and thought I'd buy it, use it for a while then sell it, but I just can't do it. They have such a great feel in the hand. Now I tell myself that when I find a IIIg I will let this one go. We'll see.

Brian Sweeney · 03-03-2010

Knobs, Levers, and Buttons.

Like the Dashboard of a '66 Mustang.

colyn · 03-03-2010

I use my barnack's more than my M-Leicas in part because I like the feel of these models.

Taken with a Leica IIIc. Don't recall which lens though. May have been the Summitar.

sqjaw · 03-03-2010

Why Are certain Leica's refered to as Barnack[s] newbie question

Keith · 03-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney

Knobs, Levers, and Buttons.

Like the Dashboard of a '66 Mustang.

Or a Lada Niva possibly?

coelacanth · 03-03-2010

In Japanese, the top plate (and the whole controls on it) is called "Gunkan" (meaning Battle Ship). I believe that nickname/terminology came from seeing the the top plate of Barnacks.

colyn · 03-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqjaw

Why Are certain Leica's refered to as Barnack[s] newbie question

Named after it's creator.

coelacanth · 03-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqjaw

Why Are certain Leica's refered to as Barnack[s] newbie question

When you hear someone calling Barnack, that's the older fixed lens and screw mount Leicas designed by Oscar Barnack.

If you see someone calling a cat Barnack, that's Tom A's best pal Mr. B.

mabelsound · 03-03-2010

I prefer the handling of M's, after fondling a Barnack or two. But the Barnacks are really beautiful. I've never actually owned one--I'm sure I'll get around to it though!

coelacanth · 03-03-2010

When I first handled IIIf for the first time (it's not even the older ones that are even smaller), I just couldn't believe how small it was.

BTW, it's been said that "Barnack of Japan" Mr. Maitani designed OM1 (originally named M1) to achieve Barnack Leica's size in SLR form. When you compare the two, the foot print of the OM's main body part excluding the mirror box is nearly identical to IIIf.

One more shot of the IIIf, this time with the Elmar.

Printed on Ilford MGIV FB

Keith · 03-03-2010

It's funny ... I find the M body a little hard to hold wihout a grip or a half case but not so with the screwmount!

I think it's because the camera is so small it's held more towards your fingertips which probably makes the process of using it naked (the camera I mean) all the more sensual!

Can't believe I said that ... feel the 'Barnack love.'

beyond · 03-03-2010

It s easier to shoot with M system.
But on the other hand, to use a Barnack is another experience itself. I got a IIIF to slow down my shooting process. And I love the built. It s just so classic and beautiful. No regrets at all.

corot · 03-03-2010

Yes, there is an 'extra something' : perhaps it is indefinable, but perhaps it is a combination of elegance, simplicity, and the joy of an object well crafted and fiitted to its function. And perhaps there is smidgin of nostalgia. To me, the Barnacks are representative of the last gasp of an era before the (Western) world turned towards a clinical 'modernity' with a relentless pursuit of 'efficiency'.

flip · 03-03-2010

Nicca 5L - It's the one I enjoy best. I know I should like the new cameras more for their viewfinders, etc... But I am right there on the sensual thing. It has it. And the fact that so many shoot Ms and so few shoot barnacks is all the better for me.

Barnacks know how to dance.

Bingley · 03-03-2010

I agree that Barnacks have a certain special quality. I like the fact that they're so compact -- they're easy to slip into a pocket and off you go! And the small size makes them quite discreet, unless, of course, you put a lampshade on them...

Keith · 03-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingley

I agree that Barnacks have a certain special quality. I like the fact that they're so compact -- they're easy to slip into a pocket and off you go! And the small size makes them quite discreet, unless, of course, you put a lampshade on them...

Going out in public with that barn door shade on must be like shouting out "Hey, look at me ... my young son made this lens shade in metal shop and I promised him I'd use it!"

Bingley · 03-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

Going out in public with that barn door shade on must be like shouting out "Hey, look at me ... my young son made this lens shade in metal shop and I promised him I'd use it!"

You're so right!

After I got the barn door shade and realized just how, er, barn-door-ish it was, I searched for alternatives and found one under my nose: the original clamp-on hood for the Canon 50/1.8, which clamps perfectly on to the Summitar, and makes the whole kit look a little less metal-shop-ish.

flip · 03-03-2010

Taking a second look at it, it looks a bit like a Barnack mating with a Petri.

payasam · 03-03-2010

For the Summitar/Sumicron, the SOOPD/SOOFM are far and away the most efficient hoods. They can interfere with exposure, though. I sometimes used a SOOPD folded up on a IIIc.

raydm6 · 03-04-2010

Love, love, my IIIf...

Really, really, like my M6...

Don't need, but really want, an early Black II (Model D) w/5cm Elmar...

...and really, really, could use an M2 w/35 Summaron 2.8

...must resist...

Juan Valdenebro · 03-04-2010

Those are the most beautiful cameras ever!

The first time I "decided" to buy a Leica IIIf, finally I bought a Bessa R4M... Then I decided I really "needed" that Barnack with a collapsible 50 3.5 Elmar, and finally I bought two Bessas T...

What the hell happened to me?

I want a Barnack!