Leica LTM First time with a Barnack

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I'm seriously thinking of simplifying my photography via the Barnack route. In my cupboard I have a black 1933 Leica II along with a red scale 50mm f3.5 Elmar and a 35mm f3.5 Summaron ... none of this has been used for a year or two.

I'm considering making this kit my sole shooter for the next six months paid work aside and trying to re-connect with the basics of photography ... and also restrict myself to 100 ISO film as much as possible.

I've been totally inspired to do this by the film I'm scanning and archiving for a friend at the moment which was all shot with such a kit in the thirties ... the images have to be seen to be believed, they are stunning!

The camera was CLA'd by Youxin a while ago and the Summaron was cleaned by DAG at the same time. The red scale Elmar is a little rough externally but perfectly clean internally ... I picked it up really cheap because the front bezel was slightly bent, no big issue for me as it has no effect on it's function.

The camera cost me $200.00, the red scale Elmar was $130.00 and I got the Summaron for nothing!
 
A IIIc, an Elmar, and your favorite b&w film: getting back to basics is good fun...

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i've observed on this forum, a few times, how a small number of people seem to gravitate in any one direction (gear wise) at the same time ;)

i'm just trying to finalise a Leica II + Elmar sale at the moment, and have a Summaron on the way too. i had a IIIc previously, but regretible sold it. a black paint II would sit nicely with me though, i've always admired the BP Barnack's.
 
cnphoto said:
i've observed on this forum, a few times, how a small number of people seem to gravitate in any one direction (gear wise) at the same time ;)
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You mean you've detected a certain heard mentality around here? I can't imagine how anyone could think such a thing...
 
Well, thanks to coelacanth, I bought that SBOOI, just waiting for the mail now :D

Keith, I had a couple of years with a lovely II from the first batch in 1932. It had issues when I bought it that were fixed, and it became my constant pocket companion. Stupidly, I sold it to another member here. It went to a very good home, but I miss it. I now have to console myself with a 1 (E), a minty III and my non-stamp IIIcK.

The Summaron is an outstanding lens, and very pocketable. The Elmar is often overlooked, but a great standard

I'm probably taking the IIIc to India in a couple of months - a fast 50 and the SBOOI should be really interesting!
 
john neal said:
Well, thanks to coelacanth, I bought that SBOOI, just waiting for the mail now :D

Keith, I had a couple of years with a lovely II from the first batch in 1932. It had issues when I bought it that were fixed, and it became my constant pocket companion. Stupidly, I sold it to another member here. It went to a very good home, but I miss it. I now have to console myself with a 1 (E), a minty III and my non-stamp IIIcK.

The Summaron is an outstanding lens, and very pocketable. The Elmar is often overlooked, but a great standard

I'm probably taking the IIIc to India in a couple of months - a fast 50 and the SBOOI should be really interesting!
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Hi John,

I really like the simplicity of the II without the low speed mechanism ... speeds below 1/20 sec are pretty pointless 99% of the time and the camera looks very clean to my eyes and less busy without the dial on the front.

I've had a IIIG and several IIIFs including a red dial with self timer but the little black II was the one screwmount I ultimately kept! :)
 
Keith said:
Hi John,

I really like the simplicity of the II without the low speed mechanism ... but the little black II was the one screwmount I ultimately kept! :)
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Amen,

I should have listened to my heart, not my head when I sold that II (and a couple of other Barnacks - both mint-, another II and a I). Apart from the style and simplicity, I miss two other things - the "bell-push" 11 o'clock Elmar (the spar fell just right for my index finger) and the green cast that the RF window had (possibly repaired with a Yashica beamsplitter, but it improved contrast no end - a permanent OKARU!).

Anyway - another black II to use is definitely on the wants list - Xmas here we come ;)
 
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Hi John,

Can't help myself, although I am trying to become a committed digital user your II came with me on the last two trips together with Elmar and CV21mm. Using cromogenic Fuji b/w film to make clean scanning simpler (V500). Yes, I admit it, travel without one of these things and you soon realise something is missing. No, you can't have it back...!

Michael
 
Michael,

I'm trying to love digital, but failing.

I may have to take my 1 to India - it's so small & cute......
 
You guys are making me wanna bring only barracks to my next trip instead of MP/M2 combo. That means I need a backup/alternative body. :p

John, glad you scored that SBOOI. :D
 
I just souped and scanned my test roll, results aren't surprising considering the cameras age but not bad.

I got the horizontal lines across the frame, like a TV screen, when using 1/1000, and 1/500 isn't perfect but not too bad. 1/25 - 1/200 seem okay.

Assuming a few months to wait for a CLA I think I'll wait until early New Year and enjoy the camera for a while.
 
Congratulations, Helen!
And also I have to admit, that I've joined the throng and have just paid for a IIIc. So I just have to pick up a lens for it so that it shall not sit sadly in my drawer for too long.
 
Thanks Andreios...

on my first roll/ Tmax 400 / summar / 3 shots had 'Those Horizontal Lines' / like ZenLibra had
What does that mean...?
supposedly this camera was just CLA'd & under warranty">
 
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