Best ever Barnack?

[Pioneer]

All my Barnacks are fun to use buy I am very fond of the early models. This includes my Leica Standard and Leica II because they are so compact and simple to use, but I also enjoy working with the reproduction of the Leica Null.

 

[Dralowid]

Although wedded to Leica I did like that Yashica ltm camera whatever it was called.

 

[xayraa33]

Although wedded to Leica I did like that Yashica ltm camera whatever it was called.

The Yashica YF and the YE

Both Nicca products but Yashica had bought out Nicca in the late 1950s...mainly for their focal plane shutter making expertise.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I like the Leotax FV over the "Merit" simply because of the 1/1000 sec top shutter speed.
Basically the same camera...

That's an interesting viewfinder on your Leotax. What is it?

 

[markjwyatt]

"Best ever Barnack?"

The one in your hands.

 

[goamules]

Haven't tried a Leotax, but I have a Canon IVSB and a Tower 46 that are both good. Had a few other exotics, but those I kept.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I prefer the Leica III black/nickel. I like black painted cameras, that is one point, but the other point is the enlarged rangefinder (compared to the Leica II). The image of the rangefinder of the Leica II is life size, but that of the Leica III is larger and therefore more precise and much easier to use.

Erik.

 

[hilltime]

That's an interesting viewfinder on your Leotax. What is it?

Just saw this after being gone for awhile. It is a Topcor 3.5-5cm viewfinder designed primarily I believe for the 3.5 Topcor LTM. It is a bit garish but provides a fantastic view. Very hard to find.

 

[Coldkennels]

Had a good day out yesterday - a 21km hike with this kit:



I've used (or at least fondled) most Barnacks at this point, and I have to agree with OP: The Leotax is as good as it gets. I went for the T2L Elite over the other models as I hate self-timers (they just get in the way), but yeah - these late Leotax models are fantastic.

The engineering is great, the viewfinder - while not quite as good as the IIIg, I have to disagree with that point - is a big improvement over all over Barnacks, and it's a very useable camera while not deviating too far from what made the Barnack design great.

The biggest improvement for me is the rewind lever; the fact you get a fold-out rewind crank is a huge improvement, and it's a damn sight better (both in use and aesthetically) than the canted one Leitz used on most of the M models.

It honestly boggles my mind that Leotax failed while Canon went from strength to strength. I've yet to use a single Canon LTM camera that I didn't hate for one reason or another - including this IIIa here. It's actually got the 15mm Heliar on it just so I don't have to interact with that god-awful combined RF/VF!

 

[ddutchison2]

I've got to say any of the later LTM Canons are my choices. Sane loading, multiple lens - paralax corrected BIG viewfinders, Lever-wind and crank rewind, visual indicators for film transport and cocked shutter. I still lust after a Leica I though.

 

[Erik van Straten]

My completely original Leica 1a from 1928.

Erik.

 

[Coldkennels]

I've got to say any of the later LTM Canons are my choices. Sane loading, multiple lens - paralax corrected BIG viewfinders, Lever-wind and crank rewind, visual indicators for film transport and cocked shutter. I still lust after a Leica I though.

My personal argument against the Canons is that they have all the features I purposely pick a Barnack to avoid: the flappy swing back of the SLRs that I hated, the size of an M, and no 1.5x magnified rangefinder. Even the early ones which avoid a lot of that annoy me - the IIIa has the smallest viewfinder with the worst eye relief I've ever seen. I'd take a FED 2 over that Canon, which is saying something.

Also, FYI... those late Leotaxes have a visual indicator for film transport and shutter cocking. I forgot about that as I never look at it, but it's there.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a No. 6535

Amsterdam, 2022.

Erik.

 

[wlewisiii]

Barnack? I had a IIIf and Canon IVSb. The Canon was far superior for me.

LTM? Canon P

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a No. 6535

KNSM-eiland, Amsterdam, 2022

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

View attachment 4818543

 

[Keith]

The one I just sold to another RFFer actually. I've had a few Barnacks over the years but this 1936 ll is the nicest I've owned by a long shot ... just don't have the eyes for it any more. The little viewfinder became too challenging some time ago!

 

[dreamsandart]

Barnacks are the best deal in Leica or Leica-like cameras these days. Back in the day I had a couple Leica IIIf RD with Leicavit and those now precious LTM lenses; rigid 5cm Summicron, 35mm Summicron, and 90mm 3-element. Sold recently my Leica III black-paint/nickel because I just didn’t use it. But, couldn’t resist this Leica IIIb war-time 1940 paired with a very early Summitar (Leitz blue-amber coated in the 1960s). Always wanted a IIIb, the last of the original smaller sized body, with improvements. Compact, beautifully built and to look at, and just fun.

 

[neal3k]

I love the size and look of the I and II but even neater is all the history they have accumuliated. I can't resist shooting regularly with my I - here it is posed on my favorite Leica Ad.

Leica and Lindbergh by Neal Wellons, on Flickr

 

[Derek Leath]

My vote is the Leica IIIg, and not to start anything but isn't a Barnack a Leica?