Leica LTM IIIf - How do I remove the cable release collar?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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Hi folks,

I'm trying to mount a cable release on my Leica IIIf. It's the version where you have to remove the collar around the shutter button to screw on the cable. But I can't move it by finger force only, and I don't want to spoil anything. There's nothing about it in the manual, nor did Google provide an answer.
How do I remove it? Does it have a normal right-hand thread?
Any help is highly appreciated.
 
Are you sure you need to remove it? See if the cable release fits inside it.

It just unscrews counter-clockwise, unless someone glued it on.
 
Not sure, really. But the cable certainly doesn't go right in. I have seen the version with the wide collar, and mine looks smaller.
Well, here's an image to clarify.
 

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Are you sure it's a IIIf? Looks more like a III or IIIa. In any case, the collar should simply unscrew the normal way.
 
You need a piece of hard plastic tubing that will be a tight fit on the collar so it can grip the ridges when you push it on. It should give a lot more purchase and it won't damage the collar.
 
Are you sure that you have the correct cable release? A cable release should fit without having to remove the collar.

Bob
 
Yep, that little collar just unscrews, in regular thread fashion. So, unscrew it counterclockwise.

They can get very very tight.

Vick
 
Thanks for your assistance. RFF rocks!

I think Vince may be right: Mine looks like a plain III. I got confused about the taxonomy, because some sources also call it the Leica F. It has flash sync, 1/500, black letters all over and no self timer.

Anyway, the gears interlock, so I feel some resistance in the mechanism, i.e. the shutter dial wiggles back and forth slightly when I try to turn the collar counter-clockwise. I'm worried that applying force will damage the gears.
Your thoughts?
 
Not a problem. The shutter dial turns when you advance the film, and so does the shutter dial. Don't force it, and if you don't force things, the gears won't be damaged.

Vick
 
It is a III. The IIIf collar will also unscrew but this is for disassembly of the camera. On a IIIf leave it alone!

I've seen a lot of IIIs with missing collars. DAG sells replacement collars for $15 AFAIR. My brother's III was missing the collar and I had Don replace it when he overhauled the III.

BTW, Nikon made a nice Leica screw over cable release for the original F & S series cameras called the AR-2. Fits a Leica III and the IIIF nicely.
 
... So, how does one go about using a cable release with a IIIf? I didn't even know my little beauty had this option.
 
aoresteen said:
BTW, Nikon made a nice Leica screw over cable release for the original F & S series cameras called the AR-2. Fits a Leica III and the IIIF nicely.
Click to expand...

That is what I meant about having the right release, there should be no need to remove the collar.

Bob
 
Nikon Bob said:
That is what I meant about having the right release, there should be no need to remove the collar.

Bob
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, for the III, IIIa, II you remove the collar and screw the adaptor over the button and for the IIIf you leave the collar in place and screw the cable release adaptor inside the collar over the button. This change in the collar started with the IIIc.
 
I don't like those screw over adapters. The Nikon AR-2 cable release is the way to go. I've been using the AR-2 since around 1982 or so and they are woth tracking down.

NikonAR2.jpg


On eBay they run about $20 or less.
 
greyelm said:
Just to clarify, for the III, IIIa, II you remove the collar and screw the adaptor over the button and for the IIIf you leave the collar in place and screw the cable release adaptor inside the collar over the button. This change in the collar started with the IIIc.
Click to expand...

Yea, true enough but the OP did state IIIf initially. Differences like these really show how important it is to be sure of which model you are asking advice about or you could get, unintentionally, the wrong variety.

Bob
 
aoresteen said:
I don't like those screw over adapters. The Nikon AR-2 cable release is the way to go. I've been using the AR-2 since around 1982 or so and they are woth tracking down.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e5/aoresteen/Leica%20Cameras/NikonAR2.jpg[/IM]

On eBay they run about $20 or less.[/QUOTE]

So strange, my IIIf doesn't have any threads in the shutter release collar, which I assume are needed to affix this or any other adapter for a cable release.
Click to expand...
 
I think they are male threads, underneath the release button.

If you were to remove the release collar from a IIIf, you should see two sets of threads - a smaller diameter set right underneath the release button for the cable release, and a larger set just above the top-plate, to secure the release guard collar.

On the earlier Leicas ( IIb/IIIb and before ) the shutter release collar turns with the film advance ( as will the cable release when installed ). On the -c and -f models, the release guard is stationary as the film is advanced.
 
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