Keating
Member
I have one Soviet Len also bought from old camera shop, but it’s very very cheap, so it’s ok! U and Brian right, i should start to use the fixed lens RF! Will more easy for me! 
The Soviet lenses usually need to be custom-calibrated for use on a Leica. You could have gotten some poor results, blamed yourself. The fixed-lens camera is a better starting place.
Keating
Member
Oh, I don’t know about it! Seems no good!
But Leica lens too expensive!! Can’t afford!
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
There were third party makers of lenses for Leica cameras - Canon, Nikon, Minolta (Then known as Chiyoko), and others that are at least as good quality and can be considerably cheaper. Very few of the lenses I use on my Leica were made by LeicaOh, I don’t know about it! Seems no good!
But Leica lens too expensive!! Can’t afford!
You do need to use care to ensure you buy lenses that are in good condition, but if you do that you can get very good quality lenses.But first, Brian's advice to look for a good fixed lens rangefinder is spot on. The Canon Canonette QL17 Is an example of a place to start.
Keating
Member
I should discover more lens in the shop, canon and nikon this two company I know their lens is good!but minolta i don’t know they produced lens! Haha .. I’m too new on photography!
If I buy lens what things I need to focus? I know to check the lens have the dust or not, the size fit my camera or not only!
I also have the other question about this kind very old camera, can’t take pictures after sunset ?
If I buy lens what things I need to focus? I know to check the lens have the dust or not, the size fit my camera or not only!
I also have the other question about this kind very old camera, can’t take pictures after sunset ?
I would suggest sticking with Day pictures and flash while learning to use the camera. Also- start with one that has some automation to it, especially with auto-exposure control. I would direct you to the Minolta HiMatic 9- it has full program mode, and manual exposure mode with metering. Fast F1.7 lens, that and 400speed film and higher is suitable for dim light.
This is with a Canon P rangefinder camera, Kodacolor 800 film, and a Jupiter-3 5cm F1.5 lens calibrated correctly for the camera.
This is with a Canon P rangefinder camera, Kodacolor 800 film, and a Jupiter-3 5cm F1.5 lens calibrated correctly for the camera.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
hmm ... I dunno, if you want to learn photography, I'd buy a book on basic photography and a book on older Leica cameras. read them thoroughly. then find a good used Voigtländer screw mount lens ... color skopar 50mm would be perfect ... and go out with it, learn to use it. although a bit worn looking, who cares if the camera works okay?
there's nothing particularly more difficult about using a nice old camera compared to using a more recent nice old camera if you know something about photography and about the camera. If you don't know anything yet, just educate yourself and go forwards.
The solution to not knowing enough is to educate yourself.
G
there's nothing particularly more difficult about using a nice old camera compared to using a more recent nice old camera if you know something about photography and about the camera. If you don't know anything yet, just educate yourself and go forwards.
The solution to not knowing enough is to educate yourself.
G
JeffS7444
Well-known
If that were my Leica, I'd replace the missing part(s), buy a suitable 50 mm lens, and enjoy! Compared to more modern designs, it's kind of fussy to operate, but when it was new, it would have been considered suitable for an affluent amateur.
Most people staring photography when the Leica IIIa was new used a Box Camera. Few settings, no focus.
The Leica IIIa is not an easy camera to use. The film leader must be cut to load it. All manual, fiddly controls. I learned to use the Minolta HiMatic 9 when I was 11 in 1969, bought new. Read the manual, bought film, started taking pictures. There are many easier cameras to use for film- Autofocus Point and shoot, such as my Leica Mini. With the Minolta- can start out using it as a manual focus rangefinder, program mode automation. Then step up to manual exposure control. Easy-Load for film, with a positive indication that the film is advancing. A 45mm F1.7 lens that is first-rate, a similar lens in Leica mount would run upwards of $200 alone.
The Leica IIIa is not an easy camera to use. The film leader must be cut to load it. All manual, fiddly controls. I learned to use the Minolta HiMatic 9 when I was 11 in 1969, bought new. Read the manual, bought film, started taking pictures. There are many easier cameras to use for film- Autofocus Point and shoot, such as my Leica Mini. With the Minolta- can start out using it as a manual focus rangefinder, program mode automation. Then step up to manual exposure control. Easy-Load for film, with a positive indication that the film is advancing. A 45mm F1.7 lens that is first-rate, a similar lens in Leica mount would run upwards of $200 alone.
Last edited:
raid
Dad Photographer
I would keep this camera if it functions well. It is from Vince!
I've been Given Leica IIIa and Leica IIIc cameras that needed work. I own several Barnack Leica bodies- Leica III, two-IIIa, IIIc, IIIf. Great cameras for tinkerers and keeping Youxin Ye and others busy. Shutter Capping- a problem at high speed. Find a replacement bezel? I can, I have spares. What person beginning photography keeps them? Calibrating a lens for this camera? How many on this forum do that for fun? Me. TenEleven. Dexdog. Some of us are just Camera Geek Masochists.
cameraderie.org
I also took apart the HiMatic 9. I'm better at camera repair than I was in 1969. Back then- the neighbor gave me a broken 8mm movie camera. I fixed it.
Lesson for a beginner- buy a camera with a warranty, that has been tested or can be returned. OR- buy from a forum like this, where the camera has been used and results are available.
Minolta Himatic 9: Flood Cleaning Shutter and Cleaning Viewfinder, also applies to the 7, 7s, and 11.
I bought this camera in 1969, my first 35mm camera, and a whole Summer of mowing Lawns. I was 11. The viewfinder had enough haze built up to make focusing difficult- last CLA was 1976. Time to clean it, I'm a lot better at fixing cameras than I was in 1976. Tools required: Flat Head...
cameraderie.org
I also took apart the HiMatic 9. I'm better at camera repair than I was in 1969. Back then- the neighbor gave me a broken 8mm movie camera. I fixed it.
Lesson for a beginner- buy a camera with a warranty, that has been tested or can be returned. OR- buy from a forum like this, where the camera has been used and results are available.
Keating
Member
Wow~ your pictures is very beautiful 😍 I want my pictures like this!! I need to buy some books then practice and practice!
mostly film develop do it by yourself or take it to the film shop?
Minolta HiMatic9 don’t know hk has it or not, just few shops in hK tsim sha tsui sell the film camera! 🥲
Keating
Member
A
I also collected the Russia Leica copy, n fake Leica lens!hahaha… I think it copy as Leica iiia too! I still no try it, becoz it looks very cool !
The function is ok, but for me too difficult to use! So Im considering to return to the shop and choose the more easy one!
I also collected the Russia Leica copy, n fake Leica lens!hahaha… I think it copy as Leica iiia too! I still no try it, becoz it looks very cool !
Attachments
Keating
Member
Wow! You are super cool! U know how to repair the cameras too, it’s a very hard job, need to clearly to know every parts of the camera and have spares! U very good at mechanics! 🫡👍🏻🤓I've been Given Leica IIIa and Leica IIIc cameras that needed work. I own several Barnack Leica bodies- Leica III, two-IIIa, IIIc, IIIf. Great cameras for tinkerers and keeping Youxin Ye and others busy. Shutter Capping- a problem at high speed. Find a replacement bezel? I can, I have spares. What person beginning photography keeps them? Calibrating a lens for this camera? How many on this forum do that for fun? Me. TenEleven. Dexdog. Some of us are just Camera Geek Masochists.
Minolta Himatic 9: Flood Cleaning Shutter and Cleaning Viewfinder, also applies to the 7, 7s, and 11.
I bought this camera in 1969, my first 35mm camera, and a whole Summer of mowing Lawns. I was 11. The viewfinder had enough haze built up to make focusing difficult- last CLA was 1976. Time to clean it, I'm a lot better at fixing cameras than I was in 1976. Tools required: Flat Head...
I also took apart the HiMatic 9. I'm better at camera repair than I was in 1969. Back then- the neighbor gave me a broken 8mm movie camera. I fixed it.
Lesson for a beginner- buy a camera with a warranty, that has been tested or can be returned. OR- buy from a forum like this, where the camera has been used and results are available.
In hK old camera shop there have one month warranty!
Btw Leica M3 is it very good film camera ? In hk many people said Leica M series is the best!
Keating
Member
U are right!! In 30’s it is the high technology toy for rich people! Nowadays Just people love easy to use! Haha
Keating
Member
up to now I still don’t know why need to cut the film leader before loading it! But it’s the big development n big change for the photography history! For the historic value, I should keep this camera, but for the use I should change the more easy operate film camera! 😜
The Leica M3 is a break-through camera. I've had mine 25 years now. Smooth, precise, best viewfinder/rangefinder ever put on a camera.
Keating
Member
Oh! Sound very good of it! Maybe I should pay more money use this leicaiiia to change to M3! N buy one more Minolta which u recommend!!😍
JeffS7444
Well-known
IIRC, if you don't trim the film leader as directed, the camera becomes harder to load properly. I don't use any special tools or templates, just a pair of scissors, using the diagram printed inside the camera as a rough guide. Today's pre-cut film leaders are a little too short for these older Leica-type cameras.
As much as I love my M3, made the same month I was Born- I still think you should learn using a less expensive, easier to use camera- then step-up.