Canon III

[Tom hicks]

Don't see many of you shooting this model , is it not desirable , or is it more of a popularity thing . I was thinking of picking one up but the lack of ya'll using one or even talking about them has me scared off some what. I know most seem to shoot the P's and 7's and maybe a VI-T every now and again.

What's up?

Tom

 

[Erik L]

im personally scared of bottom loading cameras of any kind.

 

[wlewisiii]

Find me one I can afford, with a Canon 50/1.8 on it & I'll shoot the bleep out of it. They're fine cameras; the bigger problem is there's just too many other equally good ones out there.

William

 

[David Murphy]

They are excellent cameras if you can find one in good shape. Many of the bottom loaders need full CLA's with new curtains now, a $200+ operation, so try to find one where this has already been done if possible. I shoot a lot with a Leica IIIc these days, but I've used the Canon IIIA in the past and I may again in the future.

 

[Tom hicks]

Well here is what I picked up . wish me well . Part of me is having second thoughts .

Tom

 

[xayraa33]

good camera if you do not mind the squinty finder.
i find most Canon bottomloaders to be all very similar.

a CLAed Leica IIIc or IIIf with a replaced rf mirror is superior in my book, as I use both, a Canon and a Leica bottomloader.

 

[Meleica]

See my Canon RF Camera Guide.

http://antiquecameras.net/canonrfcameras.html


I prefer the 7 and the VI-L.
Dan

 

[raid]

I prefer a Leica M6. I mean it.

 

[newspaperguy]

Looks Beeootiful Texas Tom.

Let us know how it works out.

(Grrr... I want one of them!) 😀

 

[harry01562]

The Canon bottom loaders have so many variations that many collectors get scared, and never try them. They are very well made, and are on a par with most Leica's of the period. The finder is better, period. You can read about them all in Peter Dechert's excellent book on the cameras.

I have several different models, and shoot a couple of them, my favorite being the last one designed, the IVSb2, which has a larger VF pupil that makes for less squinty shooting. If you get a nice one, it's worth a CLA. I note that your's has the 50/1.9 collapsible. Not a bad lens, with somewhat the character of a Summitar. I enjoy using one of these, and also the excellent 50/1.8. Those can be Serenar, or Canon, and I love the chrome ones. They are heavy, but one without haze is a fine shooter, with a nice "look", both on the camera, and on paper (the finished print).

Just take it out and try a roll, and decide if it's performing properly. If so, you'll soon learn to appreciate the size and weight and pocketability of the camera. It's only drawback is it's always trying to find companionship, and you may have others joining it.. :angel:

Harry

 

[airds]

My bottom loading IV Sb

 

[Tom hicks]

The Canon bottom loaders have so many variations that many collectors get scared, and never try them. They are very well made, and are on a par with most Leica's of the period. The finder is better, period. You can read about them all in Peter Dechert's excellent book on the cameras.

I have several different models, and shoot a couple of them, my favorite being the last one designed, the IVSb2, which has a larger VF pupil that makes for less squinty shooting. If you get a nice one, it's worth a CLA. I note that your's has the 50/1.9 collapsible. Not a bad lens, with somewhat the character of a Summitar. I enjoy using one of these, and also the excellent 50/1.8. Those can be Serenar, or Canon, and I love the chrome ones. They are heavy, but one without haze is a fine shooter, with a nice "look", both on the camera, and on paper (the finished print).

Just take it out and try a roll, and decide if it's performing properly. If so, you'll soon learn to appreciate the size and weight and pocketability of the camera. It's only drawback is it's always trying to find companionship, and you may have others joining it.. :angel:

Harry

Thanks for the reassurance Harry, I've thrown caution to the wind and have a like new IIF coming as well , with a Serenar 50 1.8

 

[Tom hicks]

Hope all works out with these.😀