Leica LTM Best user Barnack

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
You said user Barnack, right? I've tried them all. Definitely the Nicca 5L or Tower clones. Lever wind, back that opens, bright, single viewfinder, and more improvements.

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After that, I choose a Canon IVSB. Lastly, a Leica IIB that had a DAG CLA. But the "real" Leica is not an easy user at all.
 
Last year I briefly had a IIF. I sent it back, but I thought it was the perfect Barnack for me. Just couldn't justify it to my wife, who had already bought me an M3, after all.
 
My favorite was a pretty black IIIa (I know that wasn't official--but it was a factory conversion) I used a Canon grip/holder and a Black Rapid strap, a 5cm Nikkor and a Leitz brightline finder....

This was my best set-up for LTM ever...too bad it was stolen:(

The only set-up so far that has given me an equal amount of joy is the Mamiya 35 Magazine I'm currently shooting with. Pretty different from the Leica I will admit!
 
FrankS said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I'm with you there; although you/some could say any camera inspired by the first (hockey stick) model is a Barnack. That would drag in the Nicca, Canon, Nikon, FED and Zorki*. Many of them are more usable, or - perhaps I should say - more conventional in their design; meaning opening backs, cable releases, mild colour to VF and RF etc...

Personally I think the list stopped with the IIIa or b.

Regards, David

* I can't be the only one using a FED/Zorki take-up spool in a Leica; simply because it is more practical and holds the film properly with that hook.
 
David Hughes said:
Hi, ...

* I can't be the only one using a FED/Zorki take-up spool in a Leica; simply because it is more practical and holds the film properly with that hook.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm using a Canon film take up spool in my llla, because it has a spring loaded extension that makes it easier to remove.
 
I use FED/Zorki Spools, mostly becuase that is what I have. Ive got 3 different styles, I prefer the older brass type.

Im not sure they are easier to load.. mine are a rather tight fit.

I should get a Canon spool and save my fingertips some trouble ;)
 
I liked my Canon 7, but it recently stopped working (shutter jammed). I have not gotten it fixed yet, found a IIIg instead. I definitely prefer it to the Canon, even lacking the RF patch (which on the Canon was going dim anyway).

Randy
 
Sorry to digress - but to me a "Barnack" is a bottom loading 35mm, that for the most part is based one of Oskar's original cameras.

A LTM camera with a modern rear door, modern shutter speed dial and a modern thumb winder is not what I'd call a Barnack camera.
For example - Is my Bessa R a Barnack camera?

Oskar_Barnack.jpg
 
Surely copies can't be counted as Barnacks whether they're good or bad? That would just be silly. Leica manufacture must be the first prerequisite.

On the other hand surely anybody but the most extreme anoraks would include the f and g models in the Barnack family? We're all anoraks of course but there are limits!

Anyway, the only one I'd want to actually use is a iiig. They're all lovely to look at and handle, but all that squinting through miniature v/f and r/f windows? No thanks!
 
There are a bunch of cameras which are generally considered Barnack clones (or evolutionary paths which started with clones of the Barnacks). Some of these lines ended with companies going out of business, others with complete redesigns.

For example, I'd consider the Nicca line up - with the exception of the YF - Barnack style cameras. They started with a very close copy and changed features around. Same thing with Canon through the IVSB2.

This standard does include cameras with rewind levers, back loading and unified finders. The bones of the Barnack copies are still present in those models though.
 
Barnack designed something that was radically different, and is instantly recognizable. Miniature 35mm "movie film" cameras that had 39mm LTM removable lenses, focused with a tiny rangefinder, had the film wind on the right, the rewind a pullout knob on the left. The rangefinder was a slight hump on what would otherwise be a flat top. That the base plate opened to insert film is a minor (and ergonomically difficult) point.

Canons, Tanakas, Niccas, Reids, Feds, and many others were direct results of the original Leica. They improved some things, but the basics are there.
 
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