Leica LTM Back into LTM Cameras - iiif and iiig

[Mudman]

Recent additions for me! I seem to be a magnet for cameras that need servicing. Had to replace the beam splitter and service the shutter in the iiif, the iiig just needs the shutter serviced. Feels funny to see the framelines in a barnack! The summitar is also a lens that I've wanted to try for years, hope that it's a fun one to use.





I took the iiif out for a photowalk in 16F the other day, just to find out that the film had jammed. New roll seems to be going smoothly.



Anyone know where I could find the missing screw for the cold shoe?

 

[Nitroplait]

I've had luck asking Leica directly in the past. By "Leica" I mean the local Leica representative.

 

[raydm6]

Although not currently listed, DAG might be able to help out (he may have a stash) or at least suggest a screw size.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

If VF, RF frame is plastic, watch for it not to crack. If it fails, lenses also goes out. No spare lenses are left anywhere.

 

[bluesun267]

Summitar is a wonderful lens for B/W. You need to grow into it--it won't dazzle you at first like a Summicron, but it will be better for the long haul

 

[raydm6]

...The summitar is also a lens that I've wanted to try for years, hope that it's a fun one to use.

It is a nice lens. I enjoy its signature.


Cousins #3 by rdc154, on Flickr

There's a long-standing "Summitar the star" thread showing what this lens can do. Some excellent contributions there from forum members. Hopefully, you might post some there when the mood strikes (or elsewhere of course).

I use a SOOPD hood with mine; makes for a great conversation piece when out shooting. 🙂


Leica IIIf RD w/5cm f/2 Summitar by rdc154, on Flickr

 

[Dralowid]

If VF, RF frame is plastic, watch for it not to crack. If it fails, lenses also goes out. No spare lenses are left anywhere.

The original was black painted brass and is often quite worn. I know plastic replacements are available and look very neat but, as Ko.Fe. says, beware!

 

[Glenn2]

Barnacks were my favourite travel cameras back in the day. Used a 3g that I paid $125 for on my first around the world trip in 1971. Didn’t want to take more expensive and heavier gear as I was traveling light, alone and off the beaten path. Had more travels with the 3g before trading it for more M gear. Then in 1976-77 had a chance to do another ATW trip and found a 3f for the job.

Both cameras had f/3.5 Elmars and could certainly have made use of something faster. Also used 3.5cm Summaron and 9cm Elmar for times needing wider or longer.
After changing career in the late seventies from chemistry to oceanography the 3f became my main seagoing camera. Got to some interesting places around the Pacific where tourists seldom went. Last trip was from Vladivostok to Hilo aboard a Soviet research ship. There’s quite a few images from those past times in my gallery here.


Glenn

 

[Mudman]

The original was black painted brass and is often quite worn. I know plastic replacements are available and look very neat but, as Ko.Fe. says, beware!

Good for the warning from you both! This one does appear to have a plastic surround.

 

[Mudman]

It is a nice lens. I enjoy its signature.


Cousins #3 by rdc154, on Flickr

There's a long-standing "Summitar the star" thread showing what this lens can do. Some excellent contributions there from forum members. Hopefully, you might post some there when the mood strikes (or elsewhere of course).

I use a SOOPD hood with mine; makes for a great conversation piece when out shooting. 🙂


Leica IIIf RD w/5cm f/2 Summitar by rdc154, on Flickr

how much does that hood block the viewfinder?

 

[Coldkennels]

how much does that hood block the viewfinder?

Not at all. There's a giant cutout in the back so all you see is the top of the hood as a black horizontal line. It looks ridiculous, but it's genuinely one of the best hoods I've ever used.

 

[raid]

how much does that hood block the viewfinder?

I have the same monster hood! Cool.

 

[Mudman]

Not at all. There's a giant cutout in the back so all you see is the top of the hood as a black horizontal line. It looks ridiculous, but it's genuinely one of the best hoods I've ever used.

nice! One just arrived today, but the lens is getting regreased right now.

last question, who made the half case?

 

[helen.HH]

I have never tried a IIIg
They 'look' Beautiful...

Have always wondered about the RF window, the ease and view

 

[Mudman]

I have never tried a IIIg
They 'look' Beautiful...

Have always wondered about the RF window, the ease and view

it’s like every other barnack; a mechanical jewel. The viewfinder is definitely different. Not as good as the m3, but subjectively better than the iiif by having framelines and parallax correction. I don’t find it much larger than the prior versions. The uncluttered view of the iiif is nice though.

I’ll give a more measured thought after I get it back and run a roll through it. That’s just my hot take from holding it a bit.

 

[Richard G]

I love my little IIIf. Almost only have the 50 Elmar on it. And almost never without a SBOOI accessory finder.

 

[raydm6]

nice! One just arrived today, but the lens is getting regreased right now.

last question, who made the half case?

It's a Luigi half-case w/matching strap. https://www.luigicases.com/a000-CasesLeicaScrewMt.htm

I have a Mr. Zhou half-case and strap on my other IIIf (below) which accommodates the Leicavit (SYOOM) and has a slot on the bottom to allow the advance-lever to function.


Leica IIIf RDST w/5cm Summicron & SBOOI by rdc154, on Flickr


Leica IIIf RDST w/5cm Summicron, SBOOI and Leicavit by rdc154, on Flickr


Leica IIIf RDST w/5cm Summicron, SBOOI, and Leicavit by rdc154, on Flickr

 

[Coldkennels]

I have never tried a IIIg
They 'look' Beautiful...

Have always wondered about the RF window, the ease and view

If you've used a IIIc or IIIf the IIIg is functionally the same. Exact same RF, exact same "feel". The viewfinder is the only real difference. It's pretty incredible - it's in the exact same place as the IIIf viewfinder but feels/seems considerably larger when you're looking through it. The 50mm framelines are some of the best I've used (they don't have the rounded corners of the M3, and actually have corners unlike the later Ms) with full parallax correction. As a dedicated 50mm shooter, it's about as good as it gets.

The downsides are that the 90mm "nubs", while functional, are a bit too vague for my tastes and the extra height of the body (73mm to a IIIf's 69mm), while imperceivable in the hand, means the NOOKY/NOOKY-HESUM/SOOKY close-up adapters no longer fit.

The fact that all IIIg bodies came with a self-timer is also a bit... blergh. They always just feel like they're in the way, and I think I've used one maybe twice in the past 15 years? Luckily my IIIg was customised by a previous owner, with the self-timer professionally removed. That's a huge improvement as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Mudman]

beautiful leicavit! Would love to see one one day.

It's a Luigi half-case w/matching strap. https://www.luigicases.com/a000-CasesLeicaScrewMt.htm

I have a Mr. Zhou half-case and strap on my other IIIf (below) which accommodates the Leicavit (SYOOM) and has a slot on the bottom to allow the advance-lever to function.

Leica IIIf RDST w/5cm Summicron & SBOOI by rdc154, on Flickr
Leica IIIf RDST w/5cm Summicron, SBOOI and Leicavit by rdc154, on Flickr
Leica IIIf RDST w/5cm Summicron, SBOOI, and Leicavit by rdc154, on Flickr

 

[qqphotos]

I have never tried a IIIg
They 'look' Beautiful...

Have always wondered about the RF window, the ease and view

It's a really nice viewfinder, with parallax correction. I like that the 50mm lines have actual corners, that's something I miss about most other RF viewfinders. The 90mm frame in the center is just made up of little corner triangles, which is also nice too as it gives you an approximation of the center third-ish of the 50mm frame as well. You do need to be quite close to see the whole thing; I wear glasses that sit close to the eye and can just about manage it but it's easier with contact lenses. The RF is the same as the other later Barnacks, which I also like for the magnification. Here's a poor attempt at a cell phone picture through the viewfinder window.