Fastest ever Barnack turnaround!

[Vics]

Last week I bought a beautiful Leica IIf and a 35/3.5 Summaron. The camera came on Friday in immaculate condition, and the lens on Saturday. Spent a bit of time downloading and printing and reading the user manual, then loaded it up (took 20 minutes) and went out to shoot a test roll. Developed the film Saturday night, made contact and some prints on Sunday and sent it all back this afternoon.
I loved the idea of the screw mount Leica, the mystique, the legenf of HCB and Eisie and all those folks.
I loved the look of the camera and the feel of it in my hands. Elegant, jewel-like, and tiny. I liked the price, much cheaper than an M3+lens.
I HATED using the camera! Loading it was a lot worse than I thought it would be, changing aperture and shutter speed were fiddly. I had a really hard time finding the RF, and it was tough for me to get focused.
When I turned 60, a long time ago, my family chipped in and bought me an M3. One day a couple of weeks later my son-in-law asked me how it was going with the Leica. I told him that the big surprise was that it was the easiest-to-use camera I'd ever had. The IIf was the direct opposite.
Well, I had my LTM Leica for a day. It was an experience.

 

[zuiko85]

Had a IIIc about 40 years ago, Same experience. Squinty viewfinder was the main turn off. Really like my M4-2 though. Kept the IIIc for about 6 months and then stuck with SLR's, mostly the OM-1 when it became available. Always wanted an M body and finally splurged when I retired.

 

[johannielscom]

Good story! Now, stick to it 😀

It might take you some time to get the tactile feel of the IIIf out of your system, it might never happen and then you will buy another...🙂

I like my Leica II so much, it sometimes gets to spend the night, on the bed stand!😛

 

[Vics]

Had a IIIc about 40 years ago, Same experience. Squinty viewfinder was the main turn off. Really like my M4-2 though. Kept the IIIc for about 6 months and then stuck with SLR's, mostly the OM-1 when it became available. Always wanted an M body and finally splurged when I retired.

The pleasant surprise for me was the viewfinder. I was amazed how bright ansd contrasty it was. I'm qiite used to the small VF on my Contax IIIa, so the size wasn't a problem for me.

 

[ferider]

Intellectually, I understand ....

Still my IIIc continues to deliver keepers, I feel sometimes more than my M bodies, and I have no idea why.

Roland.

 

[raid]

What will you do next, Vic?
Will you give the new camera a chance?

 

[Livesteamer]

Find what works for you. Ignore pressure to use one camera or another.

For me, my IIIc's have been my main cameras for the past several years. I just got a roll back today and it was lovely. Yes the finder is squinty but workable. Loading is a challenge at first but gets better after a while. I use my M6's when it's got to be done fast and right but I'd rather use my IIIc's. They are what I carry everyday which may be why I get photos I enjoy. I've also got a roll of Ektar waiting to go thru my 1929 Leica 1. Joe

 

[Vics]

What will you do next, Vic?
Will you give the new camera a chance?

Raid, I hope to get cameras going OUT the door! I sold a Rollei 3.5F to a member here a couple of weeks ago, and I want to sell my MX as well, but no bites yet. I'd like to unload a lot of my Nikon F stuff, and just settle down to shooting a lot more with my dad's old Contax IIIa and my M3.
I guess the IIf was an effort to find in a smaller package what I like about the M3. Flight of fancy.

 

[helen.HH]

Intellectually, I understand ....

Still my IIIc continues to deliver keepers, I feel sometimes more than my M bodies, and I have no idea why.

Roland.

Funny but I couldn't AGREE more with you Roland
some of my FAVorite shots come from my IIIa...😱

 

[Vics]

Find what works for you. Ignore pressure to use one camera or another.

For me, my IIIc's have been my main cameras for the past several years. I just got a roll back today and it was lovely. Yes the finder is squinty but workable. Loading is a challenge at first but gets better after a while. I use my M6's when it's got to be done fast and right but I'd rather use my IIIc's. They are what I carry everyday which may be why I get photos I enjoy. I've also got a roll of Ektar waiting to go thru my 1929 Leica 1. Joe

Joe, the truth is that if I were a decade younger, I could have dealt with all the fiddly bits. But I have enough age-related shaking and twitching that I just knew I'd never get there with the IIf. God, it was a beautiful thing, though. I loved the way the film advance knob felt when I turned it. Silk!

 

[NeeZee]

I use a IIIf as my main camera. When I bought it 4-5 years ago I had the same first impression. Now I can load a film in about 20 seconds (I doubt that it's much faster with an M) and operate it faster than most other cameras because I'm used to it. The summaron is a fiddly one but there are enough other lenses that work the same way as your M lenses. 2 years ago I was thinking about getting an M2 or M4 and tried the M2 in the local shop. Not the same feeling of quality and sturdiness, not as compact, not for me.

I completely understand you, though. It takes some time to learn these cameras and if you have an M and like it, why bother?. I did, but I'm also in my early 30s and probably a little less shaky 😉

 

[pete hogan]

IIf, collapsible 50, and 90 f/4 here. Nothing else like the Barnack, but it's not for everyone. Simple.

 

[maddoc]

These old screwmount Leicas need some time to get adapted to, especially after having used an M and wearing glasses doesn`t make things easier ... But I agree that there is no "must-also-use-screwmonut-Leica" thing ... 🙂

 

[Frontman]

I really love the old Barnack cameras. I am not one for fiddling around with controls, so for general shooting I preset the camera for shutter speed, aperture, and focus. Sometimes I make minor adjustments for the conditions, but this only takes a second or two.

I ran a roll of film through my old IIIC, with it's old Summicron, and was delighted by the results. The roll contained shots taken from noon-day sunshine to street lamp illuminated night shots. I didn't have a meter with me, but most of the shots came out properly exposed. I was once again amazed at how well these old cameras can work. What's more, the camera and lens easily fit into my pocket.

I now want to get a Leica I, the less features on a camera the less fiddling I have to do, and I can spend more time shooting.

 

[Livesteamer]

Different cameras for different seasons of life. Back about 1970 I was thinking of buying a IIIc because they were inexpensive but I bought a Nikormat instead. (Still have it!) The IIIc would not have been good for me in 1970 but today I find it a joy to use and good to get back to basics. Joe

 

[Vics]

Funny but I couldn't AGREE more with you Roland
some of my FAVorite shots come from my IIIa...😱

I understand that. Some of my favorite shots came from my Rolleis, But I'm selling them because MOST of my favorite shots came from my 35mm cameras. I don't want to own a camera that is in any way difficult for me to use.

 

[Vics]

These old screwmount Leicas need some time to get adapted to, especially after having used an M and wearing glasses doesn`t make things easier ... But I agree that there is no "must-also-use-screwmonut-Leica" thing ... 🙂

Yeah, Gabor, but I had to try...

 

[Vics]

I really love the old Barnack cameras. I am not one for fiddling around with controls, so for general shooting I preset the camera for shutter speed, aperture, and focus. Sometimes I make minor adjustments for the conditions, but this only takes a second or two.

I ran a roll of film through my old IIIC, with it's old Summicron, and was delighted by the results. The roll contained shots taken from noon-day sunshine to street lamp illuminated night shots. I didn't have a meter with me, but most of the shots came out properly exposed. I was once again amazed at how well these old cameras can work. What's more, the camera and lens easily fit into my pocket.

I now want to get a Leica I, the less features on a camera the less fiddling I have to do, and I can spend more time shooting.

Right on. Ten characters.

 

[Vics]

Different cameras for different seasons of life. Back about 1970 I was thinking of buying a IIIc because they were inexpensive but I bought a Nikormat instead. (Still have it!) The IIIc would not have been good for me in 1970 but today I find it a joy to use and good to get back to basics. Joe

You go, Joe!

 

[Timmyjoe]

Got a iiif a few years ago because I was fascinated by the design. And found a nice 5cm collapsible cron to go with it. Camera had some issues, so it went to Leica for a complete overhaul. Got it back three months later and started shooting with it. Love the size and how well it fit my hand. Hated the rangefinder. Put on one of those little orange windows and that helped in focusing. Still a slow camera for me to use, missed quite a few shots. But the shots I got were beautiful in B&W with that lens.

So I ditched the iiif for an M2, and kept the lens. And now all is good.

Love the old glass, not a huge fan of the Barnack design for daily use.

Best,
-Tim