Leica LTM Buy IIIg and F2 Summitar for $500?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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Towermax

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I have the opportunity to buy a Leica IIIg with a 50mm F2 Summitar, lens cap, and case for $500.00. This looks like a good deal to me, but I thought I'd better check with some experts, since I'm not familiar with any Leica.

I own several 1950s-1970s German and Japanese rangefinders (my favorite is a mint Retina IIIS), and have been thinking about getting a Leica for some time.

All I know about the camera at this point is that it's from the "early sixties", has been in a drawer for 22 years--and supposedly is in "impeccable condition" and "everything is fine except for the shutter it needs some minor work as it has been sitting." Umm, and I know that the IIIG is something desirable. It belonged to a deceased local collector whose collection is being sold off.

Before I go take a look at it, I'd be grateful to know if the price is as good as I think it is, assuming the condition is satisfactory. Second, any specific tips on what to look for on this model and lens?

Thanks,

Fred
 
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If it really is a IIIg then that is a very good price, perhaps too low - does the bloke you're seeing know how much it could be sold for?
 
kully said:
If it really is a IIIg then that is a very good price, perhaps too low - does the bloke you're seeing know how much it could be sold for?
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Yes, he knows it's rare--he quoted me ebay prices ranging from $900 up. He's selling many other cameras from the collection, so may just need money fast. I'm in no hurry and won't jump on it until I'm sure it's in good condition, and not a fake, etc.
 
Take it, even if it needs a cla, even if it needs new curtains, if it's in good general condition, it's a good deal.
 
Dear Fred,

The IIIg is virtually impossible to fake as no other screw-mount had the brightline finder. In your situation I'd be on it like a hen on a backberry, even if it needed quite major repairs.

One word of warning: have the shutter repaired by a REFPUTABLE repairer, not an oil-can merchant!

Cheers,

R.
 
You can`t fake a IIIG..........viewfinder and chassis is too complex, it`s a one and only design.

If it`s clean and has soild vulcanite, it`s a REAL good deal at $500, GO FOR IT!!!!!

From day one the IIIG was a "collectors" item, insiders knew in 1960 that the LTM was OVER at Leitz and they became novelities overnight, it`s one of the most collectable of all the LTM`s.

The Summitar lens is NOT original to the camera, it should have a Elmar f2.8 50mm lens, if it`s with a collection, dig around the lenses, while it was a IIIG "only" lens and the cameras worth alot more with that lens on it, if it`s still around......but even needing shutter work $500 IS CHEAP for a IIIG that`s clean, dent and damage free .
You can always SELL the Summitar lens and have enough cash to fix the shutter curtains......(ohh also check for original vulcanite covering as well, that went bad on many of the IIIG`s as well) Condition is EVERYTHING when it comes to Leica IIIG`s! 😀

Tom
 
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If it is a IIIg - you better buy this before the seller changes his mind. I use mine regularly and it makes for at the very least, a splendid compact back-up camera.
 
The IIIg finder IS special, and $500 is a GREAT price. But to my taste the IIIg is an ugly lump compared to the earlier Barnacks. If I were to be presented with such an opportunity I would jump on this deal like a bass on a junebug, send the thing to Youxin for a touch-up, sell it on eBay for 2X+, buy a nice IIIf and a Nikkor S.C. to actually go out and shoot with, and take my wife to dinner at French Laundry with the difference.
 
jmkelly said:
But to my taste the IIIg is an ugly lump compared to the earlier Barnacks. If I were to be presented with such an opportunity I would jump on this deal like a bass on a junebug, send the thing to Youxin for a touch-up, sell it on eBay for 2X+, buy a nice IIIf and a Nikkor S.C. to actually go out and shoot with, and take my wife to dinner at French Laundry with the difference.
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Yep, the IIIg lacks that "je ne sais quoi" of the IIIc and IIIf - but the modern shutter speed progression and larger finder, with parallax corrected frame lines are nice in use.
 
jmkelly said:
The IIIg finder IS special, and $500 is a GREAT price. But to my taste the IIIg is an ugly lump compared to the earlier Barnacks. If I were to be presented with such an opportunity I would jump on this deal like a bass on a junebug, send the thing to Youxin for a touch-up, sell it on eBay for 2X+, buy a nice IIIf and a Nikkor S.C. to actually go out and shoot with, and take my wife to dinner at French Laundry with the difference.
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Agreed, the IIIg lacks something the other Barnack Leicas have, a certain purity perhaps.
it is the only Leica I never kept.
I sold it and bought a IIIc with an f2 Nikkor lens, this was in 1978.

Like Roger, I believe
a good camera deserves a proper CLA , not the Shanghai oil bath treatment.
 
hahahahaha.......yeah, seems alot here feel the same as I do too about the IIIG.

I say buy it, send it to Youxin for CLA and then sell it for $800, then buy a nice "early" 1946 "flat top" IIIC and a Nikkor or a Leitz Summarit lens and you have a great shooter!
(notice I didn`t suggest a "stepper" IIIC as I would normally do, while the prices of them lately have been going through the roof and junk is selling for crazy prices!)
Unfortunely the good ole days when you could get a decent stepped rewind platform pre 1947 IIIC seem to be over, the market`s all but dried up for the best of all LTM shooters 🙁

Tom
 
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OK, I bought it. Appears to be in very good cosmetic condition--some minor rub marks/light brassing around one of the strap eyelets, three very small dings/rubs on the baseplate, and that's about it.

Vulcanite appears near perfect, as do all screw heads. Serial numbers match inside and out. Shutter appears to work fine--speeds sound different--but self-timer doesn't work (it's locked in the down position for now). All the other knobs and levers move smoothly and properly as far as I can tell. Viewfinder is bright and clear and the brightlines are bright and solid. Rangefinder appears to work well. Shutter curtains look good and work well.

Lens looks barely used--it has a B+W 1X filter on it that has always been on it. No scratches, maybe a minor cleaning mark or two--can't tell for sure. Everything moves smoothly.

Lens cap looks almost new and case is in very good condition.

I'll post some pictures when I get a chance in the next few days.
 
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