Hi anybody use a lllb

[Wheelieman1]

Hi Friends,

Am new to this great forum. Having repaired a Droug which works really well, I then bought an Elmar 50mm 2.8 lens - then a lens hood. I then decided I had to have a real LTM, as cash was short by this time, the cheapest LTM I could find from a dealer was a lllb with a one month warranty. The dealer said the rangefinder contrast was good but would not comment on accuracy; sound familiar🙂.

As I say I bought on price so am expecting the rangefinder to be off - pinholes in the shutter and light leaks, not to mention the speeds being off🙂. with advice from you good folk I might just be able to adjust the rangefinder! am I right in thinking the adjustment is under the 2 round knurled rings on the glass windows (front)? There are probably numerous other problems I have not thought off🙂. If any of you use one of these lovely machines any comments would be really helpful. The serial no dates it to about 1938. It should be with me in a couple of days.

A physical disability means I have to use a power wheelchair; I am no great photographer, but I get better results with all manual rf than with auto everything. Well I am not well enough to be out picture taking this forum gives me so much pleasure, I thank you all.

I guess I just had to have something that was more difficult to load than my Droug🙂.

Thanks and Blessings

John W

 

[john neal]

John,

I don't have a IIIb. but I do have a III and a IIIa which are similar, particularly in terms of how to fix things. There will be many here who have the same body, so you will not be short of help.

There are 2 RF adjustments - horizontal, which is behind the screw near the VF window (remove the screw and insert a 1/32" flat blade), and the vertical, which is adjusted by rotating the prism behind the round window on the left (as you look at the front of the body). Of course, adjusting one can throw the other off a little, but it's not that hard.

Pinholes can be dealt with fairly easily, providing there are not too many, and they are not too big. They are a sign of problems to come though - it means the rubberisation has had its day and the blinds will need changing sometime in the future.

Speeds off generally means it needs a CLA, but that can be done at home if you are careful and work methodically.

Best of luck with your purchase, one of my favourites is my II, which ibought in need of a service - did it myself over a weekend. It is now as smooth as silk and produces great shots.

 

[Wheelieman1]

Hi John,

Many thanks for kind words and good cheer will let you know what I find when it comes🙂.

Blessings,

John

 

[john neal]

John,

Sorry, meant to say - drop by Kim Coxon's website (www.pentax-manuals.com) and look on the Repairs page - Kim hosts the later IIIf workshop manual, and another specific to the Leica type focal plane shutter. Not exactly your model, but it will give you some pointers.

Also check out Rick Oleson's site (www.rick_oleson.tripod.com) he has some diagrams and an explanation of how to strip the body and how the shutter works. I found them useful.

Best of luck with your tinkering.

 

[FPjohn]

Hello:

I believe DAG sells LTM parts as well as doing repair work. Enjoy your camera and your labours.

yours
Frank