[Hello] IIIc and Elmar 50mm - general questions

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CourtneyC

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Hello,

The other day, I was talking with my father about photography, and how I was waiting to see the results of my first roll shot with a Fed 5b, mentionning it was a leica-like camera. Then my grandfather jumps in, casually mentionnig "hey, I've got a Leica at home".... So I ended up with a IIIc he was given while in the army.
The skin is cracked in places (dry), but the shutter's still working. I brought it to my regular shop and am waiting for a CLA estimate.
However, I was told there wa sno hop for the skin, and that they usually don't take apart the lens anymore.
And that's one of the main worry. The lens' a collapsible 50mm Elmar. I've found some info on out to lubricate the focusing mechanism, but the front element seems to have a coat of material on the inside part. Is there anyway to take the lens apart, or shold only a professional do this ? OTOH, i have my Fed's Industar 61, so is it worth the hassle ?

Do you have any tricks to change the body's skin ?

Lastly, would anyone have a link to the user's manual ?


I'll post pics when I get the camera back. And pics shot with it, whenever my newborn son will let me some time for photo....

Thanks for your kind attention

Courtney
 
Hello,
Nice gift your grampa gave you.
- about the skin: it's not a big deal. See those links:
aki-asahi.com
and
cameraleather.com

-about the lens: use your I61, and send your Elmar to a professional. In paris there is Photo Suffren very reliable (the CLA should cost about 60€). Otherwise, there are many photo centers overseas which can perform a pro CLA (UK and USA).

Amuse-toi bien avec ton nouveau jouet!

Marc
 
If you want a lens similar to the elmar, get a Fed-50, I-22 or I-50 collapsible. I'd definitely say send the camera and lens to someone who has a lot of experience CLA'ing old leicas and the lenses, but it'll cost a lot. I think google is the best bet for a manual. Congrats on the free leica 😀
 
Sounds like Marc can help you with find your local repair shops. I agree with the others, treat the camera and lens to a good CLA and enjoy it.

Welcome too to the gang.
 
Hello... There are also sights online that you can check your serial #'s..

LTM cameras are so much fun to use.. Especially if it was handed down that has to be even better. Every time you look thru the viewfinder it will be like a step back in time.
 
Courtney

If it is a coated Elmar then cleaning the soft coated inner surfaces is exposed, all it needs is a quick rub, and the coating is damaged badly. If it is uncoated it is not much different (to clean) from a Ru copy. Merely a much more expensive collectors piece and I'd use the copy, put the Ge lens away carefully.

Unless you have a skin allergy I'd ignore the state of the covering. They are really nice cameras, put several films through it before maintenance to see what needs fixed first, like a few hundred... or so. If they are all good you have lots of pics of little one.

Noel
 
Wow, thanks to all of you for the answers and the welcome. I hope to get an estimate for the CLA soon.

Marc, thnaks for the info and the links. IMHO, the claret leather would look nice on the camera....
 
Professionals can clean the interior of the early "soft coated" Leitz lenses. This is someplace even ambitious amateur camera repair persons should think twice about. (Other lenses are far less of a problem. It's just that Leica's early coatings come off with one wipe.)
 
Lots of lens have interiors soft coated and hard coated externals, if you strip a lens and wips you will detect the soft immediately, o dear moments, the soft coating is effective.

Noel
 
Received the estimate yesterday: 480 USD (380 euros). Apparently, the shutters have to be changed. This also includes cleaning the Elmar and changing the vulcanite in the back with a whole piece.
More than what I wanted to invest, but hey, it's a kind of family treasure so went for it.
 
380€!?!? Oh my thats way too much! Hurry and step back from that rip off!!
I realy would ask myself if they know what they are talking about since the shutter mechanism is soo robust and mostly needs small parts changed. on my bargain IIIa one spring in the shutter roller was broken and I could Fix it myself! it´s soo simple to repair an III it makes me wonder what they charge so much for! My M3 got serviced at a Leica dealer, curtain brakes were changed and full CLA (the whole thing disassembled) for 250€! and the M is much more complex!
I would search the forum for CLA contacts like DAG, OLEG ...and many more....seems that a full service for a III should´t be much over 150€!

Also putting a new skin on an III cost you the blazing ammount of 16€ from Aki ashai! and they are pre-cut and fit really well on the bodies!

my 2 ct....I would dump this dealer!
best regards
Friedrich
 
thafred said:
380€!?!? Oh my thats way too much! Hurry and step back from that rip off!!
I realy would ask myself if they know what they are talking about since the shutter mechanism is soo robust and mostly needs small parts changed. on my bargain IIIa one spring in the shutter roller was broken and I could Fix it myself! it´s soo simple to repair an III it makes me wonder what they charge so much for! My M3 got serviced at a Leica dealer, curtain brakes were changed and full CLA (the whole thing disassembled) for 250€! and the M is much more complex!
I would search the forum for CLA contacts like DAG, OLEG ...and many more....seems that a full service for a III should´t be much over 150€!

Also putting a new skin on an III cost you the blazing ammount of 16€ from Aki ashai! and they are pre-cut and fit really well on the bodies!

my 2 ct....I would dump this dealer!
best regards
Friedrich
Click to expand...
Services in Switzerland are much more expensive, that's the trouble. I knew it was kind of expensive as compared to some prices in the US, or even in France, but I did not want to bother with the posting and handling. And it is still cheaper than buying a M3.... I really want to try rangefinders, and my (small) experience with the Fed hasn't been that convincing for now, so I don't want to invest too much money.
Thanks for the advice though
 
New curtains & service in the UK about 200£, vulcanite + lens clean more.

If the shutter material is old or ribbon snaps you need new curtains. If it took photos I'd a used it until it really annoyed first.

Noel
 
Courtney, if you turn up nothing in a couple of weeks, send me a PM and I'll scan my IIIc's manual for you. It's in English. There's not a thing in it which cannot be found at various places on the Net.

If I were you, I wouldn't trust a Leica body or lens to just anybody. As for the covering, I replaced mine with Aki Asahi's product, a perfect fit and easy to put on.

[EDIT] Oleg Khalyavin would be a good bet. His site is www.okvintagecamera.com.
 
Last edited:
Courtney, if you dont mind posting the IIIc to England, Peter Grisaffi at CRR Luton would get it up to spec again, including shutter curtain replacement, for much less than 380 euros.

See http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/
Peter's usually very busy & it's best to phone or fax (rtaher than e-mail) if you need a quick response.

Not long ago I had a IIIf serviced & re-covered using one of Aki Asahi's kits- I sent in the kit with the camera & CRR did the work.
David
 
Hello,

Once again, thanks for all your advices and counsel. However, the camera is almost done already (i was away and couldn't call the store).
Well, it's a lesson learned, and should I find anymore rangefinders (I'm still hoping to find those my great grandfather had...), I'll know better this time

Cheers,

Courtney
 
380 Euros could get you a new Bessa R with some money to spare.

Of course, there's nothing like restoring a gift which might have some sentimental value attached to it.

Clarence
 
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