dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
Well, okay, technically, it's a Leica IIIC converted to a IIIF. I like the slightly larger shutter speed dial.
This, some of you know, was a bargain item at KEH. I called up Ken there and he pulled it, along with a IIIF BD, and compared them for me on the phone. (In the meanwhile I found a bargain M3 on oboy that I couldn't refuse, but that's a different story). But Ken called me, we talked about both, he told me the older conversion model was in better shape, and I sat on it.
For about a day. But my scribbly notes were calling. KEH has a return policy. Why not just hold one for a little while, see what it's like. As many of you know, the more retro I've gone in cameras the happier I've been. So I picked up the phone.
Oh, bad mistake.
It came a few days later. My first impression: lots of brassing that gave it character, solid, beautifully designed, and seemed made for my hands. I took my first look through the VF: wow, not bad for something so small. I could use that.
To see the RF spot, you barely have to move your eye to the right. The highly-magnified view you get there is a little startling (whoa, I'm right in that person's nostril, excuse me, so sorry.)
I put my Gordy Strap on it. Nice!
I slapped (okay, carefully screwed) my j-8 on it, cut a leader of film, and loaded it following the sticky thread. Not much to it.
I've been shooting with it this past week, and just got my first roll back.
Most of my exposures have been calculated with a little chart I made out of the "ultimate expsosure guide" on the web, and occasionally a weston euro-master.
I've found it to be quite a "quick" camera. I change exposure (and focus for that matter) much less than with any other camera. Maybe I spend more time looking for shots. Dont' know.
But my little IIIC/F...I think it's a keeper. I know that's herecy in some circles. But for me it's a great trade-off between luxuries and size (and not to mention value!) $250 isn't bad.
Here's some results, and some camera-porn, too.
This, some of you know, was a bargain item at KEH. I called up Ken there and he pulled it, along with a IIIF BD, and compared them for me on the phone. (In the meanwhile I found a bargain M3 on oboy that I couldn't refuse, but that's a different story). But Ken called me, we talked about both, he told me the older conversion model was in better shape, and I sat on it.
For about a day. But my scribbly notes were calling. KEH has a return policy. Why not just hold one for a little while, see what it's like. As many of you know, the more retro I've gone in cameras the happier I've been. So I picked up the phone.
Oh, bad mistake.
It came a few days later. My first impression: lots of brassing that gave it character, solid, beautifully designed, and seemed made for my hands. I took my first look through the VF: wow, not bad for something so small. I could use that.
To see the RF spot, you barely have to move your eye to the right. The highly-magnified view you get there is a little startling (whoa, I'm right in that person's nostril, excuse me, so sorry.)
I put my Gordy Strap on it. Nice!
I slapped (okay, carefully screwed) my j-8 on it, cut a leader of film, and loaded it following the sticky thread. Not much to it.
I've been shooting with it this past week, and just got my first roll back.
Most of my exposures have been calculated with a little chart I made out of the "ultimate expsosure guide" on the web, and occasionally a weston euro-master.
I've found it to be quite a "quick" camera. I change exposure (and focus for that matter) much less than with any other camera. Maybe I spend more time looking for shots. Dont' know.
But my little IIIC/F...I think it's a keeper. I know that's herecy in some circles. But for me it's a great trade-off between luxuries and size (and not to mention value!) $250 isn't bad.
Here's some results, and some camera-porn, too.
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P
pshinkaw
Guest
I read somewhere that the IIIc had a slightly shorter body baselength than the IIIf, perhaps by only a few millimeters. If that is true, isn't a IIIc to IIIf conversion really a capability or feature upgrade rather than a genuine model conversion?
Really just Leica nitpicking I know.
Is the shutter upgraded to IIIf standards too?
-Paul
Really just Leica nitpicking I know.
Is the shutter upgraded to IIIf standards too?
-Paul
FrankS
Registered User
The screw mount Leicas are easy to fall in love with, but for my aging eyes, the M series viewfinders just make more sense.
dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
Well, there's always time for an M3 in a coupla decades, long as I eat my carrots. The pics are there now, you beat me to it.
I'm not sure about the model upgrade details. I don't think the shutter is upgraded, though there were different types of upgrades. Ritz has one where the who top was replaced. Mine just has a little plate screwed on to the platform for the shutter speed dial, and the new dial and sync on that. And Leica improved the shutter design in the middle of the IIIF series...from black to red dial. I really doubt they touched the shutter.
I'm not sure about the model upgrade details. I don't think the shutter is upgraded, though there were different types of upgrades. Ritz has one where the who top was replaced. Mine just has a little plate screwed on to the platform for the shutter speed dial, and the new dial and sync on that. And Leica improved the shutter design in the middle of the IIIF series...from black to red dial. I really doubt they touched the shutter.
dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
Someone on the forum just emailed me a question about the ultimate exposure guide...I'll copy the link again here in case folks are interested...it's on another thread somewhere too.
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm
I took his EV chart, paired them down for things I wouldn't need (fireworks 10 minutes after sunset, etc) and added two columns for sample exposures, for 100 and 400 speed film.
doug
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm
I took his EV chart, paired them down for things I wouldn't need (fireworks 10 minutes after sunset, etc) and added two columns for sample exposures, for 100 and 400 speed film.
doug
captainslack
Five Goats Hunter
I've got a IIf, which is the same as a IIIF, but without the slow speeds. I got a deal in it on eBay ($99 BIN), which I couldn't afford, but also couldn't refuse. I've run one roll of film through it and fell in love after the second or third frame.
It came without a lens, so I put on an Industar 50 that I wasn't using. With it collasped, the body fit right in my jeans pocket. The combo was just heavy enough to feel solid in my hand, but not be too heavy to use. Perfect, in other words.
Unfortunately, its shutter was full of holes, so it took a trip to Russia to visit Uncle Oleg for a curtain replacement & CLA. I'm happy to say it's on it's way now back now. Two more weeks and hopefully I'll be able to attach the Industar 22 I acquired for it and go out shooting.
Can't wait!!!
It came without a lens, so I put on an Industar 50 that I wasn't using. With it collasped, the body fit right in my jeans pocket. The combo was just heavy enough to feel solid in my hand, but not be too heavy to use. Perfect, in other words.
Unfortunately, its shutter was full of holes, so it took a trip to Russia to visit Uncle Oleg for a curtain replacement & CLA. I'm happy to say it's on it's way now back now. Two more weeks and hopefully I'll be able to attach the Industar 22 I acquired for it and go out shooting.
Can't wait!!!
dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
I just picked up a Fed 50 collapsible for it. My gosh, that lens is barely even there. Also fits into a coat pocket. My 'cron will be my main lens when it comes in, and the Fed will be ready for days when I want the smallest camera and will be mostly shooting outside. Assuming it's a good lens.
I'll be interested to hear how your camera comes back from Oleg. I'm waiting for an M3 from Panorama Camera Center in NYC--the CLA ran $140. I'm real interested to see how Fima, the guy there, does. The service was excellent and super-fast. He's recommended on photoethnography.com by Karen, though she has no personal experience with him.
I thought I'd try him out.
If he does well on the M3, I may try the IIIF next. It's in good shape, though I think it could be quieter.
I'll be interested to hear how your camera comes back from Oleg. I'm waiting for an M3 from Panorama Camera Center in NYC--the CLA ran $140. I'm real interested to see how Fima, the guy there, does. The service was excellent and super-fast. He's recommended on photoethnography.com by Karen, though she has no personal experience with him.
I thought I'd try him out.
If he does well on the M3, I may try the IIIF next. It's in good shape, though I think it could be quieter.
doubs43
Well-known
pshinkaw said:
Paul, the IIIc & IIIf share the same body size. The last of the shorter bodied Leicas was the IIIb or 1938g as it was known in Europe. The IIIc was the first of the die-cast bodies with the top section now part of the body.
Essentially the changes to make the IIIc into the IIIf series was the addition of a flash sync plug and the flash delay dial at the base of the shutter speed dial. A film reminder was also added and is visible on the advance knob.
The IIIf was made in three versions: Black dial, Red dial and Red dial with self-timer. The Black dial model continued the same shutter speed settings as the IIIc which included 1/30, 1/40 & 1/60. The Red dial changed to the international settings of 1/25, 1/50 & 1/75.
Walker
aad
Not so new now.
I love my IIIf, and I've been using Fred Parker's guide as well-I even have the Gordy strap!
I was about to say you need an Elmar, but then I read about the collapsible Russian-I'll be curious to know how it works.
I was about to say you need an Elmar, but then I read about the collapsible Russian-I'll be curious to know how it works.
richard_l
Well-known
It really does deserve a Leitz lens for the sake of authenticity if nothing else. Maybe a beautiful retro-looking Elmar, or a Summitar if you need the speed.
Maybe a beautiful retro-looking Elmar, or a Summitar if you need the speed.
captainslack
Five Goats Hunter
I'd love to have an Elmar for my IIf. Be awhile before I can afford one, though.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Fear not. The Industar 22 will work wonderfully on your IIf.
Best Regards,
- Andrew in Austin -
Best Regards,
- Andrew in Austin -
dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
Genew asked for the little chart I made up. Does anyone know if I can attach a document to a post like I can a photo?
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Make a zip of the document, scan it and make a jpg of it or, if you have the ability, make a pdf file of the document.
The acceptable extensions are: bmp doc gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png psd txt zip
Please do post your chart though, that'll save me the trouble of making one up for my Canon
William
The acceptable extensions are: bmp doc gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png psd txt zip
Please do post your chart though, that'll save me the trouble of making one up for my Canon
William
dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
I'll pdf-it on Monday when I get back to work and post it then. Hope some folks find it useful. It could easily be tweaked with your own choices for sample shutter speed/aperture combos. I tried to choose ones I'd be likely to use, or close to what I'd be likely to use to avoid:
okay, seven stops down here, seven up here...one...two...etc.
doug
okay, seven stops down here, seven up here...one...two...etc.
doug
dreilly
Chillin' in Geneva
Argh. I have to say: tonight I broke the little trim ring off the RF window nearest the rewind dial. I was so mad. I was just trying to get the little orange OKARO filter off. I hope it's the ring that's stripped and not the housing...I ordered another ring from DAG to try it out. I know Canon RFs have this weakness, but Leicas? Anyone heard of this happening before?