lxmike
M2 fan.
I'm after something like a Leicatime or Luigi half case for my IIIg but they are very expensive, they used to pop up from time to time on the flea bay but cannot find any at present, anyone know of any companies that do half cases for screw thread Leica
a.noctilux
Well-known
Hello Mike,
As I know that Leica IIIg is about same size as M Leica, would not the M case fit IIIg.
I have Leica M case with 1/4' thread and one of my IIIg has the right thread size, the other with 3/8'.
So I just try the M Leica case with IIIg, it does fit and when unmount the front flap, there is a nice half case.
Fixing a strap may be not so "right", but I use wrist-strap with this IIIg.
I think that looking for a M Leica ever-ready-case may be more succesful than Leica IIIg case.
As side note, I never use half case with screw mount Leica, they are so small as they are and nice "in nude mode".
Arnaud
As I know that Leica IIIg is about same size as M Leica, would not the M case fit IIIg.
I have Leica M case with 1/4' thread and one of my IIIg has the right thread size, the other with 3/8'.
So I just try the M Leica case with IIIg, it does fit and when unmount the front flap, there is a nice half case.
Fixing a strap may be not so "right", but I use wrist-strap with this IIIg.
I think that looking for a M Leica ever-ready-case may be more succesful than Leica IIIg case.
As side note, I never use half case with screw mount Leica, they are so small as they are and nice "in nude mode".
Arnaud
Robert Lai
Well-known
Use the original Leica IIIg case
Use the original Leica IIIg case
Mr Zhou and Luigi make cases for the IIIg. Unfortunately, their case designs block the self timer. I wrote to them about it, and their response was essentially "take it or leave it, we're not changing anything".
I do use the self timer on my cameras, and those that don't have them I have the Knips and Kopil clockwork timers.
Anyway, I have one of Luigi's M camera cases that wouldn't allow me to mount a goggled lens on my M4-2. That was the last straw. I took a good sharp hunting knife on the kitchen cutting board, and cut off the offending bits of leather on the case. Now I can mount lenses without the case interfering. The raw leather edge I dressed up with Fiebing's Edge Kote.
I had to do similar case surgery on a Luigi case for my Canon 7s. The way he made it, the fit was poor on the camera.
So, I'm done with Leicatime cases. For my M cameras, I love the Artisan and Artist cases, which give you clearance for the self timer.
Back to your question: the original Leica cases are the best for the IIIg. I cut off the original leather straps, which are dried out and useless by now, and use a Nikon AN-4B strap. The Nikon strap has no visible logos, it is black in color, and of soft woven nylon. It will never break.
Use the original Leica IIIg case
Mr Zhou and Luigi make cases for the IIIg. Unfortunately, their case designs block the self timer. I wrote to them about it, and their response was essentially "take it or leave it, we're not changing anything".
I do use the self timer on my cameras, and those that don't have them I have the Knips and Kopil clockwork timers.
Anyway, I have one of Luigi's M camera cases that wouldn't allow me to mount a goggled lens on my M4-2. That was the last straw. I took a good sharp hunting knife on the kitchen cutting board, and cut off the offending bits of leather on the case. Now I can mount lenses without the case interfering. The raw leather edge I dressed up with Fiebing's Edge Kote.
I had to do similar case surgery on a Luigi case for my Canon 7s. The way he made it, the fit was poor on the camera.
So, I'm done with Leicatime cases. For my M cameras, I love the Artisan and Artist cases, which give you clearance for the self timer.
Back to your question: the original Leica cases are the best for the IIIg. I cut off the original leather straps, which are dried out and useless by now, and use a Nikon AN-4B strap. The Nikon strap has no visible logos, it is black in color, and of soft woven nylon. It will never break.
Yes, an old Leica case. Doesn’t any case for a later longer barnack fit assuming the tripod screw is 1/4x20?
Robert Lai
Well-known
The IIIg case, like the M3 case has a cutout in the rear to allow you to see the film reminder dial. The cutout has a plastic "glass" which is usually yellowed by now.
The IIIf cases lack the film reminder dial window.
Also, some IIIf cases have no cutout for the self timer, so you have to shop carefully.
If you want only the half case, it's easy to unbutton the top portion of the case and use only the bottom half of the case. Another plus of these cases is that the strap mounts on the case, not the camera lugs. Thus, you don't wear out the camera strap lugs. Just make sure that the part of the case that the rectangular metal loop for the strap attachment is fixed to, is secure.
The IIIf cases lack the film reminder dial window.
Also, some IIIf cases have no cutout for the self timer, so you have to shop carefully.
If you want only the half case, it's easy to unbutton the top portion of the case and use only the bottom half of the case. Another plus of these cases is that the strap mounts on the case, not the camera lugs. Thus, you don't wear out the camera strap lugs. Just make sure that the part of the case that the rectangular metal loop for the strap attachment is fixed to, is secure.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
I was fortunate to find the bottom-half of a III-g case on e-bay for not much money.
It is my user case for whichever Barnack is in my go-bag.
I particularly like the metal strap rings that are riveted to the case; I have a wide "hippie strap" clipped-onto it right now.
It is my user case for whichever Barnack is in my go-bag.
I particularly like the metal strap rings that are riveted to the case; I have a wide "hippie strap" clipped-onto it right now.
lxmike
M2 fan.
Thank you for the helpful replies chaps, very much food for thought
farlymac
PF McFarland
Contact this company to see if they will make a IIIg case.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LEica-IIIf...955196?hash=item2aa2342e7c:g:OckAAOSwmRFadb3c
PF
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LEica-IIIf...955196?hash=item2aa2342e7c:g:OckAAOSwmRFadb3c
PF