Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Paul, the diopter adjustment on the LTM rangefinder works fine, but the viewfinder is just too squinty for me (but, I wear glasses). I use an external Leica finder on my IIIF, which gives a lovely, clear image with nice framelines.
Everyone should own one of the little screw mount Leicas at some point, if only to make you appreciate the advances in later finder and film loading technology.
Everyone should own one of the little screw mount Leicas at some point, if only to make you appreciate the advances in later finder and film loading technology.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
Simon, you're not allowed to post to this thread anymore.
1988? I have unexposed film that is older than you are, not to mention that BOTH of my kids are older, too.
I have a little bit of grey hair and one fake tooth. can I stay?
alistair.o
Well-known
I have a little bit of grey hair and one fake tooth. can I stay?
So the corollary from your statement is that the rest of us of a 'certain' age and above, have grey hair and fake teeth - Oh cheers
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
Go for it Paul. Enjoy life! You deserve it. - Ray
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
So the corollary from your statement is that the rest of us of a 'certain' age and above, have grey hair and fake teeth - Oh cheers
And let's not forget the ones with grey teeth and fake hair!
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
'Barnacks' are a Wonderful Addiction....
IIIf's are Beautiful !!!
eric has One
Though I Prefer the IIIa which is what I have
The distance between the VF window & composition window is
More Far Apart & I love the little diopter handle one can push up on the window
GET ONE ... Their Little Treasures
I bought one from Igor Cameras
The bottom plate is abit funky and the vulcanite was cracked in places otherwise it was in EXC- condition
I purchased it for $145.00
Sent it for a CLA / Youxin $125.00
Aki Asahi new skin w/ shipping $26.00
Done & she is Smoooth & Pretty !
IIIf's are Beautiful !!!
eric has One
Though I Prefer the IIIa which is what I have
The distance between the VF window & composition window is
More Far Apart & I love the little diopter handle one can push up on the window
GET ONE ... Their Little Treasures
I bought one from Igor Cameras
The bottom plate is abit funky and the vulcanite was cracked in places otherwise it was in EXC- condition
I purchased it for $145.00
Sent it for a CLA / Youxin $125.00
Aki Asahi new skin w/ shipping $26.00
Done & she is Smoooth & Pretty !
Last edited:
dotur
od karnevala
And let's not forget the ones with grey teeth and fake hair!
Age doesn't matter if you can say cheese!
0365dot2010 by dotur, on Flickr
www.ivanlozica.com
literiter
Well-known
I often put a special lens, the LTM Voigtlander 15mm f4.5 on the camera because my M2 needs an adapter the iiif doesn't.
gilpen123
Gil
Who can't love a IIIf my M3 only comes next
Paul Luscher
Well-known
I will NOT discourage you. I'd advise getting a IIIf (Black Dial the most likely model for you --Red Dials came out well after 1951), or a IIIc..so you can shoot like David Douglas Duncan....
These old LTMs are a very different shooting experience than your modern auto-everything DSLRs. Kind of like going from a Lexus with all the powered options to one of those old British sports cars which were practically nothing more than an engine, four wheels, and a body to hold it all together, and in which you had to do everything yourself without power assist. Makes you work for it ...but what fun....
When you take a good photo with one of those things you feel like you've REALLY accomplished something,and that you're a REAL photographer. Gives you a whole lot more respect for the Giants O' Photography who used them to knock out some of the greatest images of our times....
These old LTMs are a very different shooting experience than your modern auto-everything DSLRs. Kind of like going from a Lexus with all the powered options to one of those old British sports cars which were practically nothing more than an engine, four wheels, and a body to hold it all together, and in which you had to do everything yourself without power assist. Makes you work for it ...but what fun....
When you take a good photo with one of those things you feel like you've REALLY accomplished something,and that you're a REAL photographer. Gives you a whole lot more respect for the Giants O' Photography who used them to knock out some of the greatest images of our times....
MISH
Well-known
my advice ...don't put it off, get one now before everyone else catches on to how much fun these cameras are (and the price goes up). I am also a big fan of the IIIf and once I acquired one I was surprised to find it was much easier to shoot with, load, focus, etc then I had imagined. Mine is a year older than I am so some day when I see a nice example from 54 with a self timer I might have to get another one. My only regret ......Why did I wait so long to get one
cary
Well-known
I totally agree with MISH, if you can afford it go now! There is something very special about a Leica screw mount. Lots of fun to use, not the fastest, but pure enjoyment.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
My first serious Rf was a Leica IIIc (I still have it) it was made in 1946 which is my birth year. It was LOVE at first everything and I wound up getting a IIIa, IIIf and a K IIIc stepper over the years. I have since acquired many other RF's and SLR's but I always reach for the IIIc if I can possibly get away with using it. Unless my eyes go I'll keep the Barnacks....the perfect machine.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
I have a IIIf RD ST from 1954. It's 2 years older than me, but it's in much better condition.
I think it may be the most beautiful camera ever.
I think it may be the most beautiful camera ever.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Go for it Paul! Live it up man.
literiter
Well-known
I think the consensus may be, you should buy a Barnack.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Quite possibly.
Paul Luscher
Well-known
Prezactly. Second the motion. You won't regret it.
Ronald M
Veteran
It is just one of those things that just work, fit your,hand, and do the job efficiently.
Leitz management was loath to stop making them after the M3 was released, so they made a 3G. The market told them the 111G was not to be a continuing evolution for more screw mounts.
Sooner or later you will buy some brass cassettes, ABLON, and bench winder. The generic ablons are fine for trimming the leader, but you need the real deal to make the proper points for the attachment to the spool.
Or you can just trim back 22 sprocket holes with scissors taking care not to leave rough spots where a tear can propagate.
Leitz management was loath to stop making them after the M3 was released, so they made a 3G. The market told them the 111G was not to be a continuing evolution for more screw mounts.
Sooner or later you will buy some brass cassettes, ABLON, and bench winder. The generic ablons are fine for trimming the leader, but you need the real deal to make the proper points for the attachment to the spool.
Or you can just trim back 22 sprocket holes with scissors taking care not to leave rough spots where a tear can propagate.
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
It's not a Leica but I'll go ahead and mention the Canon III. Made from 1951-1952 they can be had a little cheaper than its Leica counterparts. Both cameras are very similar to each other but only the Leica will scratch that Leica itch.