mutikonka
Member
After several years of using a IIIa I have splurged on a IIIg that I won on the bay after making what I thought was a fairly low bid of just over $800. It just arrived in the post this week and it was love at first sight when I took it out of the box. I know these cameras are said to be overpriced, but the IIIg I got is a real gem and feels very different from the well-worn IIIa that has become my favourite user camera in recent years.
It's been a long time coming. My first Leica was an M3 about a decade ago, which I loved as a classic item but never used that much because I found it to be just a little too large to keep in my pocket. I was also a bit nervous about leaving it lying around, and found I was using an Olympus XA most of the time on my travels. I sold the M3 but obviously had contracted Leica fever because soon after I acquired a very worn IIIa. This soon became a favourite user camera, slipping easily in my pocket (with the collapsible Elmar) and feeling good to use because of its quiet shutter and the rounded edges. The only things I dislked about the IIIa were its squinty viewfinder, and the lack of parallax compensation that resulted in my rushed close ups chopping off people's heads or ears.
Now with the IIIg I think I have found the happy medium. The viewfinder, is of course much better. What has really pleasantly surprised me is the build quality and the heftier feel of the IIIg. It seems like a smaller version of the M3, everything working with a solid smoothness that makes my IIIa seem a rather primitive instrument by comparison. Perhaps it's just because I have got a good example of the IIIg with the chrome and vulcanite in excelent condition and the glass all crystal clear.
I am also looking forward to using the flash sync feature.
Well, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the new arrival - it will certainly not be sitting idle in a glass case, but hopefully producing some nice images with my Elmar 50/2.8.
It's been a long time coming. My first Leica was an M3 about a decade ago, which I loved as a classic item but never used that much because I found it to be just a little too large to keep in my pocket. I was also a bit nervous about leaving it lying around, and found I was using an Olympus XA most of the time on my travels. I sold the M3 but obviously had contracted Leica fever because soon after I acquired a very worn IIIa. This soon became a favourite user camera, slipping easily in my pocket (with the collapsible Elmar) and feeling good to use because of its quiet shutter and the rounded edges. The only things I dislked about the IIIa were its squinty viewfinder, and the lack of parallax compensation that resulted in my rushed close ups chopping off people's heads or ears.
Now with the IIIg I think I have found the happy medium. The viewfinder, is of course much better. What has really pleasantly surprised me is the build quality and the heftier feel of the IIIg. It seems like a smaller version of the M3, everything working with a solid smoothness that makes my IIIa seem a rather primitive instrument by comparison. Perhaps it's just because I have got a good example of the IIIg with the chrome and vulcanite in excelent condition and the glass all crystal clear.
I am also looking forward to using the flash sync feature.
Well, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the new arrival - it will certainly not be sitting idle in a glass case, but hopefully producing some nice images with my Elmar 50/2.8.
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Solinar
Analog Preferred
Welcome back to the RFF,
That's a nice looking pair of Barnacks. IMHO - it may be a stretch to call the IIIg a Barnack. The added frame lines and larger finder are a joy to work with. The modern EV shutter progression make life a little easier as well.
Build quality coincides with Leitz being at the top of their game, a real comeback from the immediate post war era.
I've never thought to use a flash with mine. I usually get by with a Canon 50/1.5 and Tri-X shot at ISO 800.
That's a nice looking pair of Barnacks. IMHO - it may be a stretch to call the IIIg a Barnack. The added frame lines and larger finder are a joy to work with. The modern EV shutter progression make life a little easier as well.
Build quality coincides with Leitz being at the top of their game, a real comeback from the immediate post war era.
I've never thought to use a flash with mine. I usually get by with a Canon 50/1.5 and Tri-X shot at ISO 800.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I also persued the Holy Grail of LTM and wasn't disappointed when I finally got a IIIG. I don't use it much but it's like no other camera in the Leica range to me ... the viewfinder with parallax framelines separate it entirely from other screwmounts ... but it's nothing like an 'M' either!
I hadn't realised until someone pointed it out the other day that Leica was already producing the M series when it released the IIIG!
I hadn't realised until someone pointed it out the other day that Leica was already producing the M series when it released the IIIG!
EpsomMan
Newbie
Leica IIIg
Leica IIIg
A number of years ago, maybe 50, I had my brother-in-law purchase a Leica camera for me while he was stationed in Germany. As it turned out, he bought me a IIIg. I never did much with it or the extra lens, but in looking on the web about what it might be worth, I ran across this wevsite. My Leica IIIg is like almost brand new with, I think, a 135mm and a Summarit lens on the camera which I don't know what it is. There is the finder widget and aluminum fan opening flash. As you can tell, I have not used or never learned to use this camera. But it obviously has some value and now at age 72, my camera is a nice no nonsense digital. I have never used E-Bay nor am I all excited about learning about it. What is the best way to try and sell this outfit?
Leica IIIg
A number of years ago, maybe 50, I had my brother-in-law purchase a Leica camera for me while he was stationed in Germany. As it turned out, he bought me a IIIg. I never did much with it or the extra lens, but in looking on the web about what it might be worth, I ran across this wevsite. My Leica IIIg is like almost brand new with, I think, a 135mm and a Summarit lens on the camera which I don't know what it is. There is the finder widget and aluminum fan opening flash. As you can tell, I have not used or never learned to use this camera. But it obviously has some value and now at age 72, my camera is a nice no nonsense digital. I have never used E-Bay nor am I all excited about learning about it. What is the best way to try and sell this outfit?
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Hi EpsomMan
You are very welcome on this forum - lots of great pictures in the galleries and within the threads - quite inspirational.
I guess if you want to let your IIIg go it will depend really on a variety of factors. Whereabouts is the camera? Because it hasn't been used for simply ages it will be difficult to assess its condition. The camera has shutter blinds and these can tend to deteriorate over time and without use. Any serious buyer will want more information - good pictures using your digital, and some appraisal of the mechanical condition. Lenses too are prone to storage problems and under use.
Perhaps there are RFF members near you who would be willing to help you by having a look at your camera. For sure it will be worth quite a few hundred dollars or pounds.
Best wishes with it.
jesse
You are very welcome on this forum - lots of great pictures in the galleries and within the threads - quite inspirational.
I guess if you want to let your IIIg go it will depend really on a variety of factors. Whereabouts is the camera? Because it hasn't been used for simply ages it will be difficult to assess its condition. The camera has shutter blinds and these can tend to deteriorate over time and without use. Any serious buyer will want more information - good pictures using your digital, and some appraisal of the mechanical condition. Lenses too are prone to storage problems and under use.
Perhaps there are RFF members near you who would be willing to help you by having a look at your camera. For sure it will be worth quite a few hundred dollars or pounds.
Best wishes with it.
jesse
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
You could sell it through the classified ads on this forum, however as a complete newcomer offering a rather high priced item, you may meet with some suspicion.
Ebay really is the way to go today. It gives your items the best possible exposure to buyers, which almost guarantees the best possible price. I recommend you find someone you trust to handle the auction for you. This person should have a solid record of past transactions on ebay (this is called their feedback rating).
You will need a good set of quality photos and a thorough description of the items.
You'll also be very welcome at any dealer who specializes in classic cameras, but keep in mind that it's their business to resell at a profit. This will typically be the easiest but also the least financially attractive way. Fellow forum members in the UK (right?) can certainly chime in with good addresses.
Good luck.
Ebay really is the way to go today. It gives your items the best possible exposure to buyers, which almost guarantees the best possible price. I recommend you find someone you trust to handle the auction for you. This person should have a solid record of past transactions on ebay (this is called their feedback rating).
You will need a good set of quality photos and a thorough description of the items.
You'll also be very welcome at any dealer who specializes in classic cameras, but keep in mind that it's their business to resell at a profit. This will typically be the easiest but also the least financially attractive way. Fellow forum members in the UK (right?) can certainly chime in with good addresses.
Good luck.
EpsomMan
Newbie
Thank you for the comments.Yes, I am brand new on this forum. But, I am 72 years old new. I watched a video on You-Tube which showed someone doing various things to show functionality of the IIIg. Mine does the sams thing. I was expatriated to England, hence, EpsomMan for about 3 years. Loved it!! But the camera seems to work in all respects so I will try and find someone who can do the E-Bay thing. But at 72, I am not sure I have any friends either who have E-Bay skills or even computer skills. I can take pictures with my digital but I will have to figure out how to upload them so others can see them?
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
EpsomMan,
Welcome to RFF. Do you think you can take photo of the camera and email the pictures to me? I can upload them to a server and post the pictures here so others can see.
Click my name on the left and select "Send a private message to coelacanth" in the menu. There, you can just type your email address I can get in touch with you to walk you through. Don't worry, I don't ask anything in return. I have time to kill.
Welcome to RFF. Do you think you can take photo of the camera and email the pictures to me? I can upload them to a server and post the pictures here so others can see.
Click my name on the left and select "Send a private message to coelacanth" in the menu. There, you can just type your email address I can get in touch with you to walk you through. Don't worry, I don't ask anything in return. I have time to kill.
Fred R.
Established
Coelacanth,
You're a real mensch!
Fred
You're a real mensch!
Fred