Aires IIIc trying to be a M3

C

cassel

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:cool:

Just picked up this cool little camera....you've probably heard about this one. It's a 1958 Japanese take on the Leica M3... minus the interchangeable lenses and the big sticker price. I got this from a seller in BC (just north of me). The camera arrived in the original leather case (not pictured)---the strap is brittle but the case itself is nice. Here's the camera:

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The seller warned me that there was film in the camera... no way to tell the film speed- so I guessed 200 (that's what was on the indicator on the back of the case) -- and tried to shoot the rest of the roll outside in direct sunlight. The shutter was a bit sluggish at first and the "Rewind/Double Exposure" lever needed to be wiggled a bit to get the advance freed up. It got to about 23 or 24 on the counter-- then it stopped...end of the roll. I moved the lever to "R" and carefully rewound the film-- worked as expected. Here's what I found when I opened the back::eek::eek:

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WOW ! C-22 process Kodacolor-X last made in 1976 or so! No wonder the shutter was sluggish... that's a long time. Probably won't bother to try and process it...not an easy/cheap/predictable task.

One of the reasons I was intrigued by the IIIC is the claim that it was made to accept the IXMOO film cassette from Leica. Is this true? YES:

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Now what? Well, like I wrote- the shutter is sluggish... better after some exercise and it seems accurate at all speeds. Viewfinder is nice and clear with 4.5cm brightline frame. Rangefinder is dim- tough to see indoors- better outside but not good. Glass is clear. Focus seem accurate but stiff at the distant range. This thing needs exercise! Perhaps a basic CLA.
 
Treat the film as B&W - it'll come out of the fix looking as though it's been stewed up in coffee, but the scanner should be able to make something of it.

Adrian
 
I've had one for maybe tens years but don't use it...I had problems with the film not winding correctly...I'm loading and reloading a roll right now and it seems to be going okay...
The last roll that ran through this one was back in 2008 and I wasn't too impressed...I thought the images were too contrasty...but that could have been the film or my exposure settings...
The shutter has some oil on it, it works for a little while then stops...I feel the only thing this one needs is to have the oil on the shutter cleaned off...I don't remember if I've done it before or not...I've done it to another camera
Serial #1100993
I like the viewfinder and the brightline, I like that its heavy and feels solid in your hands...and I like the round edges...
Good luck with yours and show some results...I'd like to see what you come up with...
 
Luddite Frank said:
http://www.rapidphoto.net/ can process C-22.

They are local to me and are where I take all my color processing now.
Click to expand...

Thanks-- but I will probably not worry about processing. IF i knew that the film was shot by a relative or something else potentially important- maybe BUT most places want $30 or more just to process-- with no refund if the film is no good PLUS another $1 for every useable image! That would cost me more than the camera... maybe I will try B&W processing if it's normal cost when I send in a batch of film to my processor:)
 
Did some minor maintenance today-- adjusted the rangefinder (notice the removed screw for the adjustment port) and added a carefully measured piece of copper tape and placed it exactly in the center of the viewfinder window. This really helps enhance the contrast of the rf spot from very dim to very good...not a perfect solution but it helps!

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If you are interested, I believe there is a tech in Japan that will service these still. I had one serviced a few years ago for about $100.
 
Thanks, I paid $50 for the camera. My film looks like it came out OK, but I still need to look at it larger. I'll probably live with it for now, I have so many other cameras.
 
Hey - My old thread!
Sort of forgot about this one - I eventually gave my IIIc away to Ken at Shot on Film in Seattle. I never did run any film through it - never got it cleaned up enough to shoot well.

I still think they are cool :cool:
 
The camera bodies are not that slick in operation, in my experience, semi clunky, so-so viewfinder relative to an M, but the 45mm f/1.9, 6 element H-Coral lens is excellent, more than just very good, and can make it all worthwhile.
 
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