Leica LTM Best user Barnack

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I think the nice thing with the Barnack overall is access today to an Extensive array of accessories which let this small basic camera expand to do so many things. Today, cost is a pittance compared to Value! Yes a lot of Collector specific items are costly but things like a PLOOT and 90 Elmar, World class close up gear here....cheap.
 
Those of you who have a variety of Screwmount Leica models - do you feel that the differences between models has any impact of the usuability of the camera on a day-to-day basis shooting? What is your experience?
 
In my experience all are fine for shooting most sort of subjects in daylight, but when operating in lower light conditions I'll quickly start to miss the slow speeds on the Leica I and II models.

The layout of the VF/RF on the IIIb/c/f is slightly better ergonomically but I am not really bothered with them being further apart in the older versions.

I don't use flash either so the difference in curtain travel speeds isn't a problem either.

All that said:
Strap lugs are definitely a plus
 
The magnified rangefinder image and diopter adjustment that came along with the III are benefits for me. As are strap lugs.

The rest? It doesn't really matter though I fear this thread will become a discussion about the need for slow speeds.
 
I agree with Michael that the magnified rangefinder image, the diopter adjustment and the strap lugs are big advantages. As long as the camera has no device for flash (the synch adjustment) they're all good.

However, I have a strong sentiment for the prewar Leica III in black and nickel, the later the better. The later III has a picture frame with straight sides; the earlier cameras have wavy ones.

LeicaIIIblack/nickel(late)/Summar50mmf/2/TMY400/AdoxMCC110

Erik.

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I suppose the IIIg would be the best as it offers the culmination of all progressive improvements and lessons learned from the previous versions.

I don't have one. Don't particularly feel I need one either.
 
The frame spacing on models up to the b has the sprocket holes in line with the frame edges. This means that negative strips in the holder for my scanner don’t line up properly. From the c on, with the internal redesign, the frame edges are between sprocket holes. A point to bear in mind.
 
THAT looks like they got a junior designer from Zodki to give it a whirl. Ugly out of balance design. Right move to never build it.
 
Erik van Straten said:
Thank you, Pan, how are the curtains of your Barnack?


Erik.
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They seem to be light tight. I have only shot a few frames from a film transferred from another camera. It looks like the lubricants in the curtain drums are drying out, if I leave the camera unused for a few hours, advancing the film is very grinding in feel - once I press the shutter button it goes back to being smooth for a few hours again.
Spoke with Miles Whitehead and he is going to have a look at it - he is on holidays and asked me to send it to him at the end of next month.
 
Erik van Straten said:
However, I have a strong sentiment for the prewar Leica III in black and nickel,
Erik.
Click to expand...


It is a question that remains unanswered. When was nickel phased out and replaced by chrome?

We've had/seen examples of original black and chrome cameras, both II and III (or maybe IIIa).

(Something at the back of my mind says 1936, happy to be proved wrong)
 
Dralowid said:
It is a question that remains unanswered. When was nickel phased out and replaced by chrome?
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My Leica III in black and nickel has number 194331 (1936).


40049588501_b2a1372e0f_c.jpg


All the Leica III in black and nickel I've seen in the flesh were export models, there is always "Germany" on the bottom plate and they have all the small tripod hole. I think that most of these cameras were exported to the US.

In 1936 in Germany the remilitarization of the Rhineland was underway, the beginning of a new era. Chrome Leicas fit better with that than black with nickel.

Erik.
 
Nickel was so important to the war effort in the US that it was eliminated from the five cent piece and replaced with silver and manganese. Nickel was used in a variety of products from armor plating for tanks, anti-aircraft guns to ordinance. It makes sense Germany would divert the metal out of the consumer goods pipeline as they ramped up military production in the mid 30's.
 
Mr_Flibble said:
I suppose the IIIg would be the best as it offers the culmination of all progressive improvements and lessons learned from the previous versions.

I don't have one. Don't particularly feel I need one either.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree, based on specifications and the viewfinder, & yet when i had both in my hands and had to choose, i went with the black & nickel iii, which felt a lot nicer in use.
 
The Leica IIIg was the only Barnack Leica I got rid of...I just could not bond with it and got a Leica IIIc instead.

There was something about the improvements on the IIIg that made it feel that I might as well use my M3 instead if I wanted really good improvements.

The IIIg was not bare-bones enough for the Barnack experience in my opinion.
 
xayraa, I stood in the shop in Tokyo with both the iii black/nickel and the lllg on the counter... and even though i had wanted a g for decades..... i had exactly the same feeling. The lllg was big and heavy enough, i knew it may as well be an M.

43524758324_d6c2769ea6_c.jpg
Flickr
 
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