Leica LTM Begginer with doubts for Leica purchase

[hyeppong]

Hello everyone!

I am slowly getting to know how amazing the world of Leica is and planning to do my first purchase of a Leica IIIf on the internet for a reasonable price.., I hope!

I have heard there are a lot of fake copies around.. I checked how to spot them but I still doubt because I would not like to end up happy to own a well achieved copy...:bang:

I have been checking this two parts out:

The camera:

http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360328467762&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

The lens:

http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220711417502&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Any advice/suggestions are very welcome!

Thank you a lot!

 

[lxmike]

The seller selling the body I have dealth with before, he is very honest and trust worthy, I hope this helps

 

[Keith]

That camera looks very, very nice and the seller seems up front and honest to me.

The lens looks OK as well although the seller mentions some haze? It looks pretty clean in the photos.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Stay with a seller with a lot of positive feedback. Also, there are no Russian fakes with slow speed dials on the front of the camera. While I have seen slow speed dials glued to the front of Russian cameras, if it's a seller with a lot of positive feedback, it's unlikely he would be gluing slow speed dials on FSU cameras. 🙂

 

[Pickett Wilson]

My only concern would be the wrinkled shutter curtains, but if the price is right, those can be replaced later. Nice looking camera.

 

[TheHub]

I'm no expert, but that Leica looks quite authentic.

I hope you get the camera and lens - screw-mount Leicas are fabulous cameras 🙂

 

[HuubL]

It's a nice looking body, but it looks as if there is some stains/corrosion on the chrome near the viewfinder. Probably not a great problem, but if you go for an impaccable body, it could be a dealbraker. Summitars are relatively easily cleanable. You could probably DIY, as long as you take care of the extremely soft coating.

BTW, Welcome to RFF.

 

[jesse1dog]

I think the same seller's IIIc 'Shark Skin' conversion to IIIf looks an interesting proposition. I could be tempted to go for that body rather than the one you selected.

Best wishes

jesse

 

[HuubL]

I think the same seller's IIIc 'Shark Skin' conversion to IIIf looks an interesting proposition. I could be tempted to go for that body rather than the one you selected.

Best wishes

jesse

Definitely +1 !

 

[LeicaTom]

......yeah, that IIIC "Sharkskin" to IIIFBDST conversion is a NICER camera and also somewhat of a uncommon/desirable collectible.

Make sure and check shutter curtains, that they are flat and firm (light tight) and not dry brittle, also check that viewfinder is crisp and sharp.

Happy Shooting!

Tom

 

[John Shriver]

I wouldn't suggest home internal cleaning of a soft-coated Leica lens like a Summitar or collaspible Summicron. Way too easy to clean off the coating as well. Leave it to a professional who knows the right chemical soup to clean the haze.

 

[Haigh]

Hope you enjoy your purchase. My M4 took some getting used to but once you ger used to a Leica you're hooked, believe me.

 

[hyeppong]

Thank you for the advice suggestions

Thank you for the advice suggestions

Hello Everyone!

Thank you so much for all the answers.

I can't wait to get started with a Leica, hopefully I can have one very soon.

😀