colyn
ישו משיח
If I have to pick a favorite it would have to be the one I use the most which is my IIIc with Summitar..
bucs
Well-known
I use a IIc and IIf. I rarely use slow speeds so i settled for the II. Something about the form factor of the barnack makes me reach for it more than my M.
ZivcoPhoto
Well-known
Peterm...My IIIF was very noisy and loud when first purchased, after using it like that for a few years (also with dim to no rangefinder) I sent it for CLA to DAG and also got new mirror. The camera is quieter than M2 or M6 TTL. Also use a IIF red dial which is very smooth and I'm waiting to CLA a III...I really like the looks and "feel" of that pre war body.
But my real treasure for now is a scratch-free haze-free Summar I got last month. That is simply an amazing lens, I just make sure I use a hood with it.
But my real treasure for now is a scratch-free haze-free Summar I got last month. That is simply an amazing lens, I just make sure I use a hood with it.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I've had several right up to the lllG ... sold them all and kept the one that appealed to me the most because I really liked its looks and its usability. A 1933 ll ... It cost me $200 and I doubt I'll ever part with it. 
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I try to use all of them, no point in having them if they are only there to dust. Hard to choose a favourite, perhaps the II with the coated '46 Summitar; I see it as a good everyday camera.
But its great, great grandson the mini 3 is even better...
Regards, David
I try to use all of them, no point in having them if they are only there to dust. Hard to choose a favourite, perhaps the II with the coated '46 Summitar; I see it as a good everyday camera.
But its great, great grandson the mini 3 is even better...
Regards, David
YouAreHere
Established
I don't own any Leica LTM cams so a Canon VL is my go-to when the LTM mood strikes.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
The Barnacks underwent improvements and strengthenings with each successive model, so each model is a little bit better in one way or another than the preceding. The IIIc, for example, has a die cast chassis, strengthened over previous models to support the weight of the larger, faster, and heavier lenses that had become available. Don't use heavy lenses? Then the IIIb will do nicely. It already has the close-spaced Rangefinder and viewfinder eyepieces, making it more convenient than the IIIa. But do you prefer a shoe-mounted accessory finder? Then a IIIa might well fill the bill. And models from the IIIa forward have a finder diopter adjustment, and that is useful.
Don't need 1/1000 second? Then the III may be all you need. And if you don't need the slow speeds, slower than 1/20 or so, then a II might do.
Going in the other direction, during the production of the wartime IIIc, ball bearing shutters were added to some Leicas, and the IIIf that followed had some ball bearings, and were an improvement mechanically, and they also have factory flash synch.
Personally, I have a model II (d) and several IIIcs. The latter see use, especially for travel. They are small and pocketable, especially with a collapsible lens, or with a tiny Cosina-Voiglander 35mm, 28mm, or 25mm--and I use all three. The model II has no strap lugs, and no low shutter speed dial, and no diopter adjustment, which I like and use on my IIIcs.
Don't need 1/1000 second? Then the III may be all you need. And if you don't need the slow speeds, slower than 1/20 or so, then a II might do.
Going in the other direction, during the production of the wartime IIIc, ball bearing shutters were added to some Leicas, and the IIIf that followed had some ball bearings, and were an improvement mechanically, and they also have factory flash synch.
Personally, I have a model II (d) and several IIIcs. The latter see use, especially for travel. They are small and pocketable, especially with a collapsible lens, or with a tiny Cosina-Voiglander 35mm, 28mm, or 25mm--and I use all three. The model II has no strap lugs, and no low shutter speed dial, and no diopter adjustment, which I like and use on my IIIcs.
Richard G
Veteran
Thank you Rob. A nice overview. I love my II. There's a mint IIIG I know of that I am trying not to make an offer on.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
As for the prewar (=best looking!) Barnacks I like the IIIb best. It has the 1000th sec shutter speed, diopter adjustment (which is a godsend for me at least), slow speeds, plus the viewfinder/rangefinder combination of the later IIIc/IIIf/IIIg.
It just so happens I'm selling one of my IIIb's in the classifieds
It just so happens I'm selling one of my IIIb's in the classifieds
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Interesting that Rob-F picks the exact opposite and for opposite reasons. I picked the model II because of what it hasn't got; meaning slow speeds, strap lugs, 3mm socket and higher speeds. (I don't need them for everyday stuff and don't miss them on the II.)
It would be nice if the II had the little RF magnifier but that's all I miss.
And it would be even nicer if I had the original instruction manual for the II but I doubt if I'll ever find one. That probably shows the main point of my use of the thing, as part of our heritage, to be returned to from time to time but not used all the time. I also like using the older cameras so that I don't forget how to take a photograph. That's easily done with all these smart phones and so on...
Regards, David
Interesting that Rob-F picks the exact opposite and for opposite reasons. I picked the model II because of what it hasn't got; meaning slow speeds, strap lugs, 3mm socket and higher speeds. (I don't need them for everyday stuff and don't miss them on the II.)
It would be nice if the II had the little RF magnifier but that's all I miss.
And it would be even nicer if I had the original instruction manual for the II but I doubt if I'll ever find one. That probably shows the main point of my use of the thing, as part of our heritage, to be returned to from time to time but not used all the time. I also like using the older cameras so that I don't forget how to take a photograph. That's easily done with all these smart phones and so on...
Regards, David
traveler_101
American abroad
I've had several right up to the lllG ... sold them all and kept the one that appealed to me the most because I really liked its looks and its usability. A 1933 ll ... It cost me $200 and I doubt I'll ever part with it.
Nice kit! Is that a FSU finder?
Dralowid
Michael
I don't know what a 'Barnack' is. I have several screw thread or ltm Leicas but no members of Oscar's family...
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I wish I still had the II. It was so compact, simple, and fun to shoot with. Mine had retrofitted strap lugs, and I much much prefer having them on body so I can attach a strap without using leather case or tripod mount. I'd love to own another one if I could find one with that mod.
FrankS
Registered User
Okay, here's a different take: the best Barnack is a CL. Just as compact and light, but with a better viewfinder, access to more lenses, and the possibility that the lightmeter still works.
Jerevan
Recycled User
As for the prewar (=best looking!) Barnacks I like the IIIb best. It has the 1000th sec shutter speed, diopter adjustment (which is a godsend for me at least), slow speeds, plus the viewfinder/rangefinder combination of the later IIIc/IIIf/IIIg.
It just so happens I'm selling one of my IIIb's in the classifieds
Aah, HuubL - don't tempt me!
And yes, my favorite one would be a IIIb. Or a bunch of them, even better!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
When did "screw-mount Leicas" become "Barnacks"? And when did "Barnack" become "any camera I like, regardless of format, history or common sense"?
After some of the answers on this thread, I'm half inclined to answer "My best Barnack is my 12x15 inch Gandolfi." Or possibly "My Minolta 16-II". It makes as much sense.
Cheers,
R.
After some of the answers on this thread, I'm half inclined to answer "My best Barnack is my 12x15 inch Gandolfi." Or possibly "My Minolta 16-II". It makes as much sense.
Cheers,
R.
FrankS
Registered User
Filzkoeter
stray animal
My beater IIIf paired with a 21mm Skopar
Slow speeds are important to me. The flash sync can come in handy sometimes.
Screwmount Leicas are great bodies for ultra-wide angle lenses. Reliable little beasts. An external finder doesn't add that much bulk to them as to a M-Leica. They are also easy to repair and to adjust.
Sadly my M2 get's much more use then my IIIf... maybe I should finally start to carry 2 bodies, M2 & 35mm + IIIf & 21mm.
Slow speeds are important to me. The flash sync can come in handy sometimes.
Screwmount Leicas are great bodies for ultra-wide angle lenses. Reliable little beasts. An external finder doesn't add that much bulk to them as to a M-Leica. They are also easy to repair and to adjust.
Sadly my M2 get's much more use then my IIIf... maybe I should finally start to carry 2 bodies, M2 & 35mm + IIIf & 21mm.
FrankS
Registered User
To be precise, the Barnack designed Leicas are the l, ll, and lll, a's and b's with the crate shutter.
(There are a few earlier models.)
The later lc/llc/lllc, lf/llf/lllf, and llg/lllg with the one piece top, are only inspired by Barnack's earlier design.
Someone can fill out/ correct my list.
(There are a few earlier models.)
The later lc/llc/lllc, lf/llf/lllf, and llg/lllg with the one piece top, are only inspired by Barnack's earlier design.
Someone can fill out/ correct my list.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
I think the intended meaning based on the OP's question would be " a bottom-loading camera compatible with 39mm x 26TPI mount lenses, with a control layout evolved from the original designs by Barnack"
Cheers,
Dez
Cheers,
Dez