Barnack Leicas - why do people like them?

John Shriver said:
The short baseline of the Barnack required the 1.5X magnification for accurate focusing. (The II is compromised by it's 1X rangefinder.)

Canon came up with the variable magnification viewfinder, so that one window could accurately focus at the highest magnification, but frame a 50mm lens at the lowest magnification. They also protected it with patents, so Leica couldn't go down that route...

(The need for a new round of patent protection was one of Leica's motivations for the M3...)
Click to expand...

Bolded: I never knew this. Was that actually one of the reasons for producing the M3?
 
Krosya said:
HI all,
Well, title says it all, really. Whats wrong with us - people that like, love and use Barnacks? I mean, they are old, difficult to load, small, squinty viewfinders, pain to rewind (or even wind) film, many with poor contrast RF spot. Just overall a PITA cameras, it seems. In the world with superb Leica M system, with all kinds of other cameras - yet we still love those old things. Can anyone explain this? I fall under the same spell - I have M3 and IIIF and find myself reaching for a IIIF at least as often as M3. Why? No idea. Seems it just feels good in my hands. It's difficult to focus sometimes, but I still use it. Am I sick? Is there a cure for this? But.........I just can't help it. And I know there are more people like me out there. People that feel as I do, that there is even more magic to Barnacks than even ever popular M series Leicas.
Click to expand...

For those who have never held or used a Barnack: it's all in the magic. Once you're used one, you'll be seduced. They are special cameras to use, very intuitive and tactile. A Barnack with a 5cm lens and a SBOOI is indeed magic.
 
Don't forget that the Barnacks made Leica famous.

Erik.

gelatin silver print (heliar classic 50mm f1.5) leica mp

51609422355_074a9c6d9c_b.jpg
 
lynnb said:
For those who have never held or used a Barnack: it's all in the magic. Once you're used one, you'll be seduced.
Click to expand...

I held, used an owned a III for a time. Never again, honestly one of the least enjoyable cameras I’ve played with...

Each to their own of course, but Barnacks definitely aren’t universally seductive
 
My first Leica was a IIIF and at that time (I was using Nikons), it was the first time my pictures looked
different and better. Why would people use them, they're classics and have that special look that no other
cameras have.
 
I think I love my black paint Leica 2 with uncoated Elmar because of the story and the history that comes with it.

I got mine in a flat trade with Sam from the NYC Meet-Up. Sam is a collector and had at one point over 300 cameras, and he solicited me a flat trade in exchange for a boxed silver Pentax Special 43mm with its viewfinder. This lens is the only LTM lens Pentax ever made.

Also I believe there is a profound projection of history and quirkiness that gets projected from the camera to the photographer.

I love the camera because it is so basic and also because of its compact size. Of course because it came from Sam it is a striking camera in wonderful condition. Nickel hardware and the Elmar is a nickel version for snob appeal.

The diopter BTW allows me to focus accurately without glasses.

Cal
 
I use the plastic fantastics for work, and they all work well. But when I have time to take pictures for me, using these compact, jewel-like, mechanical gems with so much history and heritage, that is a pure joy.

Best,
-Tim
 
I've tried so many other cameras and nothing "clicks" like a Barnack does. Canon 7, M4, Contax II, Kiev 4AM, X-Pro 2, any SLR ever made... nothing feels as good in the hand and as easy for me to focus accurately as a Barnack.

Ten years after I first bought it, and I'm still picking up a IIIf over anything else.
 
I messed around for years with Zorki cameras, trying to avoid the Leica addiction, but about three years ago I bought a IIIf RD made the same year I was born, and immediately I could tell the difference between it and my Zorki-1e. It was also fun kitting it out with a full range of lenses and finders. I don't shoot much film anymore, but it's one of the cameras I intend to keep when the big cull happens. It's just so much joy to use such an artifact of photography that still produces wonderful images today.

PF
 
I agree that it is nice to see this thread revived- The Barnack cameras are indeed special. Why use them? As others have said, the tactile sensations - the "feel" in the hand and the smooth operating of a well-sorted example is unlike anything else. I have tried out many cameras and several Leicas over the years but I keep coming back to the Black Leica II as the favorite. The III is a close second with the 1.5X focusing...

The history of these are another aspect I enjoy - tracing the serial numbers, learning about the model differences and the cool converted-by-Leitz examples.
Presently, I have 2 converted Leica IIs (one is a "Leih-Kamera"/loaner), one regular production II and one III - all in the black enamel. I shoot all of them when I can but the collecting can be addictive!
 
Although I have two IIIfs with SBOOIs mounted with one having a Leicavit (SYOOM) winder, I really love the early black enamel/nickel cameras but unfortunately don’t own one.

I was poking around the auction site today and noticed the price of the Leicavits are in the stratosphere - some are over $1,000!
 
I got a black Leica II and Leica M2. The Leica II I"m able to hold with one hand and pre-set the camera and expose.
It's too much of a stretch with the M2! (holding the cameras with thumb and little finger)The Leica II is usually fitted with a collapsible Summicron, and I've just
bought a Voitlander 35/1.4 II for the M2. I bought my first Leica in '68, a IIIa w/Summar for $45 from a dealer
because I couldn't afford an M. The Leica II is always with a separate viewfinder, WAY brighter than the M's
combined rangefinder/viewfinder.
 
raydm6 said:
Although I have two IIIfs with SBOOIs mounted with one having a Leicavit (SYOOM) winder, I really love the early black enamel/nickel cameras but unfortunately don’t own one.

I was poking around the auction site today and noticed the price of the Leicavits are in the stratosphere - some are over $1,000!
Click to expand...

Those winders are pretty sweet - kinda want a SCNOO - but they are at LEAST $700 (not for the super rare black one) - The different baseplate sizes and the latch pin sizes makes 'em a bit tricky to find online...
 
Hari said:
I got a black Leica II and Leica M2. The Leica II I"m able to hold with one hand and pre-set the camera and expose.
It's too much of a stretch with the M2! The Leica II is usually fitted with a collapsible Summicron, and I've just
bought a Voitlander 35/1.4 II for the M2. I bought my first Leica in '68, a IIIa w/Summar for $45 from a dealer
because I couldn't afford an M. The Leica II is always with a separate viewfinder, WAY brighter than the M's
combined rangefinder/viewfinder.
Click to expand...

Wish I could find a decent collapsible LTM Summicron without breaking the bank... also a 90 f2.8 Elmarit LTM please!

Since I always use a bright-line finder on these - I actually prefer the separate viewfinder and rangefinder peep holes on the IIIa and earlier cameras to the later "combined" eyepiece of the IIIb and later....

Though the IIIb seems like a rare-ish and under-rated Barnack!
 
I have used Canon 7 and 7S cameras for 30 years and since I got a Leica IIIa a year ago those big Canons have just collected dust. The compact size of the Barnacks and right weight are the reason why they travel with me all over the place. Thanks to Cosina we can continue to get quality pictures with those Barnacks.
 
I love, love, love my two Leica IIIcs (one chrome, one black paint) and my Canon IVSB2. The small size, robust construction, and engineering details overshadow, for me, how irritating these cameras are to load. These are my go-to cameras on long walks and hikes. I always use an auxiliary finder (I have an assortment of CV brightline finders). They are quiet, unobtrusive for street photography, and excel at landscape photos too. I actually enjoy using them more than my Leica Ms, although the Leica M2 and M3 are much more practical in many respects.
 
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