Tell me about this camera

iamzip · 03-09-2010

So. Didn't think I'd be buying a Leica anytime soon, but found this on eBay and decided to take a risk. The price was low enough that I think it was worth it even if it isn't working.

So I don't know anything about Leicas. Judging by these pictures the seller sent to me, and the serial number, I think it is a Leica iii. He says the lens is a 50mm f/2 Summar. I t should hopefully be here in about 10 days but it is coming all the way from Mumbai.

So, can you tell me anything?

colyn · 03-09-2010

If the top shutter speed is 1/500th it's a Leica III. If it goes to 1/1000th then it's a Leica IIIa. Either model is a good camera as long as it is in good working condition. I would probably expect it will need service though.

iamzip · 03-09-2010

Top shutter speed is 1/500.

colyn · 03-09-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamzip

Top shutter speed is 1/500.

That makes it a III then..

I just sold a vintage 1934 III that was factory converted to IIIa then to IIIf flash sync specs..

Luddite Frank · 03-10-2010

Looks very nice. If I read the serial correctly ( 133,xxx) it is from 1933-34.

From the aperture scale, that would appear to be a Summar.

My "daily driver" is a 1934 III (with pitted, peeling chrome on top), s/n 134xxx; paid $140 US for it about 3 years ago, came with a Komura 35 / 3.5 lens. Cleaned it up a bit, and it's been working fine ever since. It's the foundation of my "go bag".

Congrats on your acquisition !

Luddite Frank

iamzip · 03-10-2010

The seller claims the s/n is 181,xxx, but it does look to me like 131,xxx. Either way, Mr. Gandy's page says it is a plain III, only the years are different. Judging by the price of yours, Frank, and the prices listed in your other post, colyn, this my have not been such a magnificent deal. I was going by the prices on eBay, where one recently sold for slightly less than what I paid but without a lens, and most sell for $70-100 more.

Here is a picture of the front; I copied it from the eBay listing so it is not of the highest quality. Thank you for your responses so far and I will let everyone know how it turns out when I actually get it.

payasam · 03-10-2010

All depends on condition. Post from India to the US does generally take ten days or so.

coelacanth · 03-10-2010

Unless it's listed as recently CLAed by named leica specialist, send it off to Youxin for a complete clean up. He's super quick and rate is very low. Then you'll have very reliable little picture taking machine that just happened to be stunningly beautiful.

iamzip · 03-10-2010

Payasam, I was wondering - How much does it cost to ship to the US from India? He charged (a lot, I thought) for air mail, then told me he sent it via EMS at extra cost to himself.

batterytypehah! · 03-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamzip

Here is a picture of the front; I copied it from the eBay listing so it is not of the highest quality. Thank you for your responses so far and I will let everyone know how it turns out when I actually get it.

I gambled on my IIa which was also listed with poor photos. I was the only bidder and got a very decent user that has performed flawlessly, without a CLA, for almost a year now. Good luck.

Dwig · 03-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamzip

The seller claims the s/n is 181,xxx, but it does look to me like 131,xxx. Either way, Mr. Gandy's page says it is a plain III, only the years are different. ...
Here is a picture of the front; I copied it from the eBay listing ...

My lists show the 181,xxx numbers being from 1935 and were assigned to several batches each of 111 and 111a. The 1/500th top speed makes it a plain III.

The picture is interesting. The bezel and front lens over the left (as viewed from the front) RF window appears to be missing.

iamzip · 03-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwig

The picture is interesting. The bezel and front lens over the left (as viewed from the front) RF window appears to be missing.

Crud. You're right.

colyn · 03-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamzip

Crud. You're right.

Once the camera arrives I'd contact the seller and ask for a partial refund to pay for the missing part(s)

If the glass is also missing you won't be able to use the rangefinder since that part adjusts the vertical.

Check with DAG and see what he will charge for the parts and that should what you want back from the seller.

colyn · 03-10-2010

A quick check of Don's site shows $30 for both items + whatever he will charge for shipping..

iamzip · 03-10-2010

I doubt I will be able to get anything back from the seller - sold as is, untested, etc etc. Plus, it is pretty obvious in that photo, and that was the one actually listed on eBay. I was just too dense to notice.

At least the parts are readily available and not too expensive. If, by some miracle this is the only thing wrong with the camera, I wouldn't mind paying out of pocket for the parts.

What's that website?

iamzip · 03-10-2010

Nevermind, found the site. Only $4 for shipping too, not bad.

payasam · 03-10-2010

For postal rates, go to www.indiapost.gov.in/ and, for the rupee-dollar conversion, to www.xe.com/ucc/.

iamzip · 03-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by payasam

For postal rates, go to www.indiapost.gov.in/ and, for the rupee-dollar conversion, to www.xe.com/ucc/.

I tried that, but couldn't get it to work for the EMS rates. I thought maybe you might have a rough idea. I'll try it again and see if it's working now.

Luddite Frank · 03-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamzip

Judging by the price of yours, Frank, and the prices listed in your other post, colyn, this my have not been such a magnificent deal. I was going by the prices on eBay, where one recently sold for slightly less than what I paid but without a lens, and most sell for $70-100 more.

Thank you for your responses so far and I will let everyone know how it turns out when I actually get it.

Well, don't despair yet... I looked at your pics again, and the chrome on the top plate and knobs looks pretty good ,no pitting, peeling or brassing ( which means it wasn't used to the point of being worn-out)....

The vulcanite looks intact & tight...

I was REALLY lucky to snag a functioning Leica III for $140... like you, I figured that even if it needed service, it was a reasonable risk.

I paid a little more than 5 times that for a cosmetically very nice III f BD ( my first Leica), with a collapsible Summicron. After the third or fourth roll of film, it was unusable, due to crackled shutter blinds ( the curse of the Black-Dial Leicas, due to material quality issues following WW II ).
It awaits service.

Buying / owning / using a screw-mount Leica is a bit of a commitment, but one that I have found to be very rewarding.

I've all but shelved my Minolta XG-1 and Pentax Spotmatic SLR's, and am still holding off on getting a digi-cam because I'm happily using my 75 year-old Leica !

Let us know what you find when it arrives.

Luddite Frank

iamzip · 03-11-2010

Well, I am also hoping the lens is usable as well (the seller described it as "average" - no idea what that means). That way if the body is really terrible, I could keep the lens for my fed 3 or even Bessa L if I'm feeling adventurous.

payasam · 03-11-2010

To my knowledge, and I may well be wrong, India has nothing called EMS. I have always used registered air mail for shipping, which should cost no more than $15 US for a package containing a III. The Speed Post service is more expensive, but I have only ever used it for letters. Your seller sounds ignorant where camera equipment is concerned, or else is a person who cannot communicate well in English.

iamzip · 03-11-2010

I thought perhaps they didn't know much about cameras, but all the equipment they have recently listed is photographic equipment. I believe EMS service and Speedpost are the same. At any rate, $60 US seems far too much for airmail, and also too much for speedpost as well. I assumed this and factored it into my bidding, it just concerns me when the seller charged so much for shipping and then claims they have to pay extra for the speedpost.

coelacanth · 03-11-2010

Over charing the S/H is, at least used to be what typical ebay seller would do or did. Now you can rate the seller base on what they charged for shipping, and if the score is low, the seller will lose power seller (or whatever that is) status so many sellers now charge moderate amount for shipping in exchange of good rating. So I guess you'll just have to give not so good rating for shipping charge part of feedback if shipping time ended up not so fast or actual postage was much lower than what you paid.

David 11084 · 03-11-2010

Luddite Frank, hang on in there and ignore the flighty digitals! I have hardly used mine since acquiring a Barnack! Keep the faith.
David

payasam · 03-11-2010

There are liars and cheats everywhere, iamzip. My country is no better than others, nor worse. I shall venture to say that those who sell photographic equipment do not necessarily know much about it, or anything at all.