Leica LTM First time with a Barnack

[Juan Valdenebro]

Great help, Erik...

Do you think getting a IIIF instead of a IIIC would mean an improvement in 1/1000's consistency?

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, I think that red-scale IIIf's run faster than IIIc's, but I am not sure of that. IIIg's run faster for sure. The higher the X-synch-speed, the better it is.

Erik.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Yes, I think that red-scale IIIf's run faster than IIIc's, but I am not sure of that. IIIg's run faster for sure. The higher the X-synch-speed, the better it is.

Erik.

Well, in fact the option I have for a change is a black dial one... I'll think about it... I just don't want a IIIC shutter again... Thanks, Erik!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Erik van Straten]

The IIIc and the IIIf black dial are apart from the flash-synchronisation the same camera.

Erik.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

OK... I guess now I'll wait for a second Barnack and test it, but I'll be considering I might have to send it to Youxin anyway...

Thanks, Erik!

Juan

 

[Uwe_Nds]

There are also some European Leica-specialists, such as
www.fotomechanik-reinhardt.de (already retired, but still working on Leicas)

Cheers,
Uwe

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Thanks for the link, Uwe!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[alistair.o]

Hi Juan,

Pre-cut is the way to go:

1. 22 holes (count along the top of film )

2. ALWAYS cut a nice curve through the film NOT a hole.

3. Leave two holes out of the casstte.

4. Load both sides together.

5. Put camera base on & fire off two.

6. Set counter & prime film to shot 1 - ready to go.

Hope this helps

Al.

 

[charjohncarter]

Hi Juan,

Pre-cut is the way to go:

1. 22 holes (count along the top of film )

2. ALWAYS cut a nice curve through the film NOT a hole.

3. Leave two holes out of the casstte.

4. Load both sides together.

5. Put camera base on & fire off two.

6. Set counter & prime film to shot 1 - ready to go.

Hope this helps

Al.

7. Make sure the take-up is all the way down, I check the gear on the take up side

Thanks Al, for that 22 number!

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi Al, some questions...

When you rewind a roll, the A/R switch was set to R... Do you set it to A again before loading? The manual says to keep it set to A but my winding knob doesn't move then to advance counter...

I think it has to be in R to advance frame counter... Do you advance it to 0 or to -1? I advance it manually clockwise (why does the manual say counterclockwise?) until it just reaches -1, then I set the switch back to A, and as I start to advance film there's a small click and counter goes until 0, and then I shoot once more to get to 1 and that will be my first shot... Any comment? Thanks!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[alistair.o]

Hi Al, some questions...

When you rewind a roll, the A/R switch was set to R... Do you set it to A again before loading? The manual says to keep it set to A but my winding knob doesn't move then to advance counter...

I think it has to be in R to advance frame counter... Do you advance it to 0 or to -1? I advance it manually clockwise (why does the manual say counterclockwise?) until it just reaches -1, then I set the switch back to A, and as I start to advance film there's a small click and counter goes until 0, and then I shoot once more to get to 1 and that will be my first shot... Any comment? Thanks!

Cheers,

Juan

Hi,

R= rewind the film. Take the film out and when you have loaded a new film set the the switch to A. Set the counter to 0 just before the final advance and the film counter will roll on to 1

I forgot about the 'taking up the slack' advice, thanks. Yes, you can do this, but I usually have the camera upside down and make certain that there is just enough film to go across the plate when I drop it in.

Al

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Oooops! I just discovered it's the frame counter alone what can be turned... I was advancing clockwise with the winding knob... Now I understand why the said counterclockwise...

Thanks!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Erik van Straten]

On a IIIc you can take off the lens, set the shutter to "T", push the release button (the shutter will open), set the A-R-switch to "R", drop in the film, put on the base and, while turning the wind knob, watch the film moving through the open shutter. Before shooting, set the A-R-lever to "A" and tension the shutter. This method gives 100% certainty that the film is moving correctly.

Erik.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Nice tip!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[alistair.o]

I always cut with scissors, 10cm, freehand. Just make sure the curve is smooth, no rough edges. Works just fine.

Sorry, I missed this picture!.

This is exactly what I was describing. Nice work.

Al

 

[Rhodes]

On a IIIc you can take off the lens, set the shutter to "T", push the release button (the shutter will open), set the A-R-switch to "R", drop in the film, put on the base and, while turning the wind knob, watch the film moving through the open shutter. Before shooting, set the A-R-lever to "A" and tension the shutter. This method gives 100% certainty that the film is moving correctly.

Erik.

Most of the times, that's the method I use to load my IIIc. Even when I cut the film to have a big lead, etc. I use this method to see if the film is correctly load.
Bad thing is, in "T" one should press the release button and the shutter will open, press again and it should close. In mine I have to change the shutter dial to close the shutter!

 

[Melvin]

Have other forum members experienced inconsistency in the 1/1000th speed?

Cheers,

Juan

I have a Leica II that "caps"(underexposes one side of the frame) at 1/500. It's been back to the repair shop three times, and it's better, but still does it. BTW that's the top speed on that model.

Another common problem with Barnacks is horizontal lines of underexposure across the whole frame due to old curtains or bad adjustment. To test for it take a shot of a clear sky at 1/1000.

In my experience the high speeds are the biggest problem on barnacks.

 

[aad]

Rhodes,
My IIIf works that way with T, in fact that's how the manual says it should work.

As to 1/1000, it really isn't, is it? Plus mine has capped on occasion-oddly, so has my MX a few times! It's ok, I just try to keep it under 500.

 

[helen.HH]

well my IIIf RD comes Tomorrow/Wedesday
though after hearing of Juan's difficulties
I'm a Tad nervous about Loading Film

as My M2 rolls her Eyes, a Snicker and says YOU 'll see I'm the ONLY ONE !!

 

[Rhodes]

I recall reading some were that the normal process was pressing the release button, it worked in my camera after she come from fixing. But since it works and the shutter do not suffer with changing the shutter dial, it's fine!
Thanks aad!
About the 1/1000 I think I only use once or twice...