Leica LTM IIIb as IIIa

[payasam]

eBay item 320154215576 is described as a IIIa (a 111a, actually) but the pictures show a IIIb. One thing which is perhaps odd is the shutter release.

 

[VictorM.]

Threaded hole for a cable release usually indicates a Russian copy.

 

[colyn]

Threaded hole for a cable release usually indicates a Russian copy.

What appears to be a threaded shutter release is in fact an add-on shutter release adapter. I had one like it at one time.

The camera is a IIIb with added flash sync..

 

[Rob-F]

Yes, it is a IIIb. There is something coming out of the body to the left of the 9:00 position of hte lens mount. Looks like an allen-head screw. Could this be the flash synch Colyn wrote about? Pretty strange place for one--in the way of focusing the lens.

If it's a fake, it's a good one. The engraving looks right. The frame around the front finder window looks right--unlike a Russian fake. The body screws look right for a IIIb. And it has a round cam follower, not a Russian triangular one.

I agree, it's a real Leica with an aftermarket release button. But a IIIb, not a IIIa as the seller wrote. Can anyone make out the serial#? I can't.

 

[VictorM.]

"What appears to be a threaded shutter release is in fact an add-on shutter release adapter. I had one like it at one time."

I've never seen one before. Thanks for the new info.

At least the sync connection is in a more sensible location than the factory item on my IIIf.

 

[colyn]

Yes, it is a IIIb. There is something coming out of the body to the left of the 9:00 position of hte lens mount. Looks like an allen-head screw. Could this be the flash synch Colyn wrote about? Pretty strange place for one--in the way of focusing the lens.

It's a crudely done aftermarket flash sync. usually installed by a hack. He epoxys a pc then runs a wire up to a piece of metal that is insulated and glued to the frame that makes contact with the closing curtain latch as the shutter is fired..