Best user LTM/ Leica III model is the one to spend money on

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Vinceoflex

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I've been looking around for a Leica III but I dont know which one to actualy consider. Because the differnt models like the IIIc, the IIIf and others they all seam the same accept the IIIg. So any help on this?

Also what about Canon thred mount?

_________________________________________
Cheers:Vinceoflex

Surviving on a pentax Me super
 
Canon IVSb. Has a far better VF/RF, is quite commonly available & fitted with a nice collapsible 50mm lens is a real nice pocket rocket. I shouldn't have sold the one I had.

William
 
If you will need flash go with the IIIf. I would however avoid the non-Leitz flash converted cameras...

What about slow speeds below 1/30th? If you need these you can get any model from the III - IIIf except the IIc/f or Ic/f

The older models previous to the III don't have slow speeds.

The IIIg is a good model except for price...
 
In Leica III series the IIIc seems to be the bargain and I've seen some very nice ones go for $200.00 in the classifieds. The III that is the nicest of all at a sensible price IMO is the IIIF red dial ... they are a really nice looking camera and after a CLA are absolutely beautiful to use.
 
Vinceoflex said:
I've been looking around for a Leica III but I dont know which one to actualy consider. Because the differnt models like the IIIc, the IIIf and others they all seam the same accept the IIIg. So any help on this?

Also what about Canon thred mount?

_________________________________________
Cheers:Vinceoflex

Surviving on a pentax Me super
Click to expand...

Pick the one that has good rf contrast, good shutter speeds and good shutter curtains that is being sold for a fair and decent price.
you can't go wrong here.
 
wlewisiii said:
Canon IVSb. Has a far better VF/RF, is quite commonly available & fitted with a nice collapsible 50mm lens is a real nice pocket rocket. I shouldn't have sold the one I had.

William
Click to expand...

I am with William, the best Barnak cameras have Canon engraved on the front of them. They are just a very slight sliver bigger, and not beautifully rounded, but the combined rf/vf window and equally excellent build quality make them a winner hands down. (at least to me)
 
Just get a chrome IIIc that has had a CLA for $2-300 and use it up. You don't need a flash sync or the slow speeds for that matter. It's the most solid, yet it's still simple, and it's very common camera so it isn't expensive.
 
I've got a IIIC...had IIF, IIIF, and IIIG in the past. My favorite of that bunch was the IIF (that's the TWO F) because it made a virtue of simplicity...I never used the slow speed dial anyway, and it added potential unreliability.'

IMO the very best LTM is Canon P..I have two. Hinge back, 35mm framelines, bright finder. The only drawback is that the viewfinder is cluttered with multiple bright frames and it's noisier than IIIF/IIF/M etc. It's about same noise as IIIC. FAR better-built than anything from Voigtlander far more rugged and FAR better designed (except for the cluttered viewfinder) than any of the M Leicas. M's are quieter.
 
According to Youxin, IIIf black dials often have bad curtains and dim RF patches. A recent ebay purchase bears this out, at least in my case. On the other hand, my IIf red dial is fine. I just wish that it had one slower shutter speed.
 
Oh, those rounded corners of Barnacks are worth the split finder. And the separate magnified rangefinder is very accurate. I used to have a Canon RF with an uncomfortable flash plate along one end.
 
I currently have both a Leica and a Canon screw-thread body. Both are in good user condition. The combined view/range finder on the Canon is just dim enough to be irritating. My Leica IIIf is just as easy to use as the Canon and is finished to a much higher standard. The rounded shape fits the hand better than any other camera I have ever used, including the M2 and M4-2.

My recommendation would be to get a IIIc or IIIf in the best possible condition. Pay particular attention to the rangefinder patch brightness. That can't always be repaired easily. The other important moving part, the shutter, can easily be repaired. There must be a dozen decent Leica techs available, including Oleg K. in Russia at the inexpensive end and Kindermann in Canada at the very (very) high end.

Keep in mind I have owned the IIIf since 1969.
 
The black dial IIIf models have the more robust curtains, than the red dials. I have no idea why the red dial is more sought after as it aparently has the most problems with curtains according to peter@luton leica. He should know he used to build them at the factory in Wetzlar. Get the IIIf black or red dial you will love it.
 
In the past, I have enjoyed the IIIf, but . . .

Maybe you would consider the Bessa T. Leave the M adapter in place in the body and you have a screw mount that could also use M mount lenses. Same principle but with many modern conveniences and a low price. You won't even have to use a template to cut back the film leader.

Okay, maybe its not built like a Leica — so buy two!
 
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