Mobius
Member
Greetings everyone,
I finally have taken the plunge into the wonderful world of Leica. For many, many years, I always wanted a Leica rangefinder. Being young with three children, living in the Washington, DC metro area, my desire for a Leica was placed on hold. Fast forward 30 plus years, going through a few Mamiya medium format cameras, countless Nikon film and digital, Panasonic and Olympus micro 4/3 digital, I found the desire to shoot film once again. I miss the magic of black and white as it was intended.
This past Saturday, my bride of 36 years and I would checking out a small Virginia town that we are considering for retirement. We decided to enter an antique store, which was extremely well maintained and organized. In a glass case with a pipe collected, I saw a beautiful Leica red box, a 90mm Elmar lens a Leica flash bulb unit, Leica variable finder, Leica filters and a few other odds and ends. I opened the box, but it was empty.
As we were checking out with our selected items, I noticed a Leica camera sitting next the cashier. I asked the gentleman if the camera was sold. He said a person was interested in it, but was not committed on buying. I asked to see the little beauty. It was a IIIF with black numbers. It had the gold and red Leica inspection tag still attached. Apparently the Leica camera and pipes came from the same estate. From what was told to me, the camera was purchased by an officer in the navy, but was used only once for an assignment. The camera was as mint as any I have ever seen. So I took the plunge. I probably paid more than if I purchased each item individually, but with everything included, 1951 Leica price booklet, all the manuals etc, I couldn't refuse.
Now I am getting up to speed on the camera, film trimming and etc. Thank you all for letting me share my life long dream coming true. I will be posting pictures soon.
Rich
I finally have taken the plunge into the wonderful world of Leica. For many, many years, I always wanted a Leica rangefinder. Being young with three children, living in the Washington, DC metro area, my desire for a Leica was placed on hold. Fast forward 30 plus years, going through a few Mamiya medium format cameras, countless Nikon film and digital, Panasonic and Olympus micro 4/3 digital, I found the desire to shoot film once again. I miss the magic of black and white as it was intended.
This past Saturday, my bride of 36 years and I would checking out a small Virginia town that we are considering for retirement. We decided to enter an antique store, which was extremely well maintained and organized. In a glass case with a pipe collected, I saw a beautiful Leica red box, a 90mm Elmar lens a Leica flash bulb unit, Leica variable finder, Leica filters and a few other odds and ends. I opened the box, but it was empty.
As we were checking out with our selected items, I noticed a Leica camera sitting next the cashier. I asked the gentleman if the camera was sold. He said a person was interested in it, but was not committed on buying. I asked to see the little beauty. It was a IIIF with black numbers. It had the gold and red Leica inspection tag still attached. Apparently the Leica camera and pipes came from the same estate. From what was told to me, the camera was purchased by an officer in the navy, but was used only once for an assignment. The camera was as mint as any I have ever seen. So I took the plunge. I probably paid more than if I purchased each item individually, but with everything included, 1951 Leica price booklet, all the manuals etc, I couldn't refuse.
Now I am getting up to speed on the camera, film trimming and etc. Thank you all for letting me share my life long dream coming true. I will be posting pictures soon.
Rich
madNbad
Well-known
Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your IIIf and have fun.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Sounds wonderful. The LTM Leicas are little jewels. I still like to pull one out and use it from time to time. My favorite: a IIIa from 1936 that went to Don (DAG) for service. So nice to use -- tactile.
leica M2 fan
Veteran
What a delight to see your story. Nice addition to your investment in Photography.
Enjoy the IIIf it's a honey of a camera. I have and enjoy the IIIb with 50 mm lens-
the Summitar. Great times are coming for you!
Enjoy the IIIf it's a honey of a camera. I have and enjoy the IIIb with 50 mm lens-
the Summitar. Great times are coming for you!
seany65
Well-known
Hello and welcome to the forum Mobius.