Leica LTM First ever Leica IIIc review?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Koolzakukumba

Koolzakukumba

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Hi All,

I've added a 1941 review of the IIIc - more a sort of hands-on preview actually - to my website, http://photography-matters.blogspot.com/

This was a camera "captured from the enemy" and shown to Miniature Camera Magazine. I reckon it must be the first English-based review of the IIIc but I stand to be corrected.

The review is a fascinating glimpse into the world as it was then. I've added it as a post but I'll also be adding it to the "retro literature" section on my website where I have quite a few scans of Leica catalogues from the '50s, '60s and '70s so it will be easier to find in future.

Hope you enjoy it.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
This article was also reported on in the "Viewfinder" the publication of the Leica Hist. Soc.

Of interest to me is that it is one of the first references to the red curtains, the rewind lever step, and the tabbed baseplate lock. All of these features disappeared at the end of WWII with the only the tabbed baseplate lock returning in the IIIf and IIIg.

Other external features of the IIIc carried through from this first version into the post-war models, although there were significant internal changes throughout.
 
Wow - I enjoyed reading the article - just as a review on the Leica IIIb.

Wallace Heaton LTD is a name that I haven't heard in while. They used have a rather nice small gold decal on the back of the cameras that they sold. Are they still in business?
 
Solinar said:
Wallace Heaton LTD is a name that I haven't heard in while. They used have a rather nice small gold decal on the back of the cameras that they sold. Are they still in business?
Click to expand...

Sadly, Wallace Heaton was bought over by Dixons in 1972. I'm not sure if Dixons still trade out of the old Wallace Heaton store in London but it won't be anything like you remember if they do. I badly miss all the independent photo stores. Every town used to have a few and you could pick up all different kinds of things. Homogeneity is the curse of the last 25 years.
 
Thank you for sharing.
I've read about gray IIIB ,it would be very interesting to know more about,serial numbers,etc.
Even images would be useful,I have never seen a gray IIIB.

Cheers
 
sabears said:
Thank you for sharing.
I've read about gray IIIB ,it would be very interesting to know more about,serial numbers,etc.
Even images would be useful,I have never seen a gray IIIB.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Sabears,

I'm afraid I can't help you but why not try the Leica Historical Society that Dr LeoB mentioned above. Sounds like a great source of information.
 
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