Leica LTM Body sizes

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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xasthur

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I over heard someone at my local camera show mention that some of later models like the IIIf or G have a bigger body than the earlier versions. I was wondering if this is true at all? I'm looking into getting a IIIf or a black II. I had a IIIa a few years ago, but got rid of it. I don't have any to compare so I'm going off hear say. All the Barnack Leicas look similar in size in pictures and in videos that I see, but videos and pictures can be deceiving.
 
It's true,

The body of the Leica IIIc, f and g models are 0.5cm longer (from strap lug to strap lug) than the previous models due to the redesign of the shutter/crate.
 
Yes I can vouch for the difference in sizes too.The change came about I believe at the same time Leitz redesigned the body style from the old style to the new. If you look at earlier LTM cameras they had a separate rangefinder housing which sat on top of the main body whereas the newer ones have what I assume must be regarded as a more secure and robust integral rangefinder housing. I think I read that major changes were made to systematize the manufacturing which allowed (necessitated?) the changes too - he aim I believe was in part to have a new body that was amenable to stricter tolerances in manufacturing and hence require less artisanal work by technicians in the manufacturing process. And as Mr Flibble says internal design played its part too. (I read about this stuff a long time back and am working from memory so I am sure that there is stuff I missed or maybe misremembered.
 
With the older shutters the curtains travelled at a fixed slower speed. I think that required much tighter tolerances in curtain gaps on the higher speeds. This also limited the fastest flash-synchronisation speed to 1/20th of a second.
I recall someone mentioned that 1/1000th of a second was pretty hard to achieve accurately (if at all) on the IIIa and IIIb models.

The newer stronger shutter crate that was introduced with the IIIc in 1940 and has the curtains moving across the film plane at 1/30th of a second. Improving flash-synchronisation, and I suppose it makes the curtain gap size slightly less critical to achieve the high speed exposures.
 
Thanks for the info and the pictures everyone. Could someone with both IIIa and IIIf possibly post some pictures of them side by side? I'm not really a big fan with how the G looks to be honest.
 
My body size over the past 60 years has increased more than that of the Leica, and I didn't even get a speed increase. In fact, I'm slower.
 
xasthur said:
I over heard someone at my local camera show mention that some of later models like the IIIf or G have a bigger body than the earlier versions. I was wondering if this is true at all? I'm looking into getting a IIIf or a black II. I had a IIIa a few years ago, but got rid of it. I don't have any to compare so I'm going off hear say. All the Barnack Leicas look similar in size in pictures and in videos that I see, but videos and pictures can be deceiving.
Click to expand...

Yes, as previously stated, later models are slightly ‘longer’ from end to end.

If you’re looking at a barnack this is likely the least important difference between models.
 
The pre-c Leicas had a body that was built-up from stamped sheet brass.

The -c and later Barnacks used a die-cast body housing that was more rigid, and probably less labor-intensive to build.

I have seen many comments over the years about some folks preferring the "smaller" pre-c Barnacks...

I cannot say that the size difference matters to me one way or the other, as whatever Barnack I'm shooting rides in the bottom-half of a III-g case with a wide "hippie-strap", and I keep an accessory finder in the shoe. It's not a streamlined rig, no matter which series of body.

The older Barnacks are a loose fit in the case, but the case-screw keeps them in place.

For what that's worth. :cool:
 
I know the size of the camera is the least thing I should worry about, but it was more of confirming curiosity rather than a negative buying concern if that makes sense. I just remember my IIIa being tiny and able to fit in my pocket.

I have another question, the IIIf I'm looking at has a 3.5cm Summaron f3.5 on it. I used one of these in the past and the focusing throw I guess it would be called, is quite far. My question is: Are there any other LTM lens for 3.5cm which have a shorter focus throw than the Summaron? By focus throw I mean the distance from infinity to 1.1m or whatever they stop at.
 
Focus throw...
I have in front of me

Summaron 3.5/3.5cm focus throw about 180° to 1m

Summaron 2.8/35mm from oo to 1m only 90°
Summicron 2/35mm also 90°

Canon LTM 2/35mm from oo to 1m only 90°
Serenar 3.2/35mm from oo to 3.5 feet about 180°
 
I have a iiic and two iiia cameras. The size difference may not be much but when I'm shooting, it seems much greater. I far prefer the iiia.
 
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