IIIF is mouth watering good

[sf]

This is an auction for a camera that I want. For a brief moment, the thought of selling my car just to make room for such a purchase, crossed my mind. I had previously considered the possibility of selling the car since I might not need it in Seattle . . . but then came to my senses. This camera, if only slightly, pulled the veil again. I feel so weak . . . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7577571718&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

must not be that good of a price, though, considering no bites yet, no questions, nothing. If I had money to spend on cameras, I would buy it. It's just so beautiful. So extremely Leica.

But someone might like to see it, if only for the pleasure of viewing it.

 

[ch1]

This is an auction for a camera that I want. For a brief moment, the thought of selling my car just to make room for such a purchase, crossed my mind. I had previously considered the possibility of selling the car since I might not need it in Seattle . . . but then came to my senses. This camera, if only slightly, pulled the veil again. I feel so weak . . . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7577571718&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

must not be that good of a price, though, considering no bites yet, no questions, nothing. If I had money to spend on cameras, I would buy it. It's just so beautiful. So extremely Leica.

But someone might like to see it, if only for the pleasure of viewing it.

A couple of thoughts based on the fact that this was a SEVEN day auction:

1) Either the BIN (almost the same as the opening) price is "off market".

2) Buyers (and this does seem to be a collector's piece which mean serious niche market players) smell something PHISHY.

Right now it is too damned late to e-mail the seller and see what the response is.

I'd keep the car for now.... 😉

 

[SteveM(PA)]

I think that price is a touch too high... ~$900 would probably move it. And I think people are a little freaked to spend more than a G for something in HK that isn't at least a iiig.

 

[wlewisiii]

Find yourself a nice condition Canon IV series camera instead. All of the beauty of a Barnack, as well made and with a (better? I think so) combined VF/RF window with multiple magnifacations. I never thought I'd be able to tolerate a bottom loader, but my IVSb with a collapsable I-22 lens has made a believer of me. Slips into a pocket and goes anywhere. The f3.5 can be a real pain, but that go anywhere with the really classic styling wins in the end. A IVSb2 with 1/1000th and modern progression would probably suit your style well. If you're a purist, you can find a Canon 50/1.9 collapsable lens easily as well.

Just food for thought. Worst case you're already doing d*mn fine work with that RF645 so why sweat the little stuff?

William

 

[sf]

I'd keep the car for now.... 😉

Yeah, for sure. I just get those little things every now and then. So, I pull the RF645 out of its cage and hold it, and play with it, and dream of taking it out into the world again.

IIIg, huh? I know too little about the Leica lineup. I actually recall that there were more in the IIIx line. I will probably never buy a Leica, since i could buy two or three or 4 or 5 cameras for the price of one. But they are so pretty.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

Oh and this might not help...but I carried mine around all day, snapping furiously at two of my kids' sporting events, and I might as well have been wearing a giant chicken suit, I got so many curious looks. Here's how it looks in your hand (with 'cron instead though) 🙂

 

[Rich Silfver]

The asking price is definetively above market for a IIIf RD ST with that lens - even in that condition. Great kit but you could do better price wise.

 

[sf]

alright, alright! I just thought it was hot. Gosh!

when I see a nice camera, I just can't help myself. The price kind of disappears, and all I see are the body, and lens. In this case, the camera was really perfect. Collector perfect. But . . . I don't collect, so yeah.

 

[Rich Silfver]

"alright, alright! I just thought it was hot. Gosh!"

?

 

[Solinar]

Ahem! That is a great price if it were for a IIIg in that condition and with that lens.

Truly, the IIIf is a beautiful camera even if it is a bit archaic. I have two, one which is a black dial and second with the red synch scale and self timer. The black dial was $275 for the body and the second was a mere $300. Both have had CLA's within the past 5 years.

I use them both, albeit with accessory finders. Of the two, I prefer using the black dial, as it is easier to load for some reason and its shutter speed progression is a bit closer to modern speeds.

A Canon IV is a good option and their prices are more reasonable. KEH has a couple IVS's rated excellent for $169 and $179.

 

[Solinar]

By the way, for whatever reason the Canon IVSB fetches nearly twice the price of a IVS at KEH

 

[dcsang]

heh.. the IIIf is a NICE camera - and like everyone else has said, that one looks to be collectors condition but is priced high considering collector IIIg's go for that or not much more.

If you're lookin at IIIf's; don't hesitate to spot the IIIc instead. Seriously - it's not much different imho and I adore mine 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[wrenhunter]

That is a lovely camera. I have a mild Leica III jones -- and you aren't helping ;-)

 

[ray_g]

The barnack cameras really are slim and beautiful. the IIIF RD with self-timer has become an item for collectors, but even then, that price was too high. I would go for a IIIF BD (black dial) instead, for much much less.

 

[John Henry]

I'm off to NYC this week [a two hour train ride] to begin my search for a Barnack. I don't want to pay more than the prices KEH advertises for their Leica Ltm stuff. But I do want to hold a couple of them in my hands to see if this kind of camera is for me. I talked with John Maddox in South Carolina who specialize in the rehabilitation of Barnack cameras and lenses and he let me know that one of these cameras can require extensive rehabing especially if it's been sitting on the shelf for many years like many of them have been. I didn't even know that Canon had made a Barnack-type of camera. Something else to look into.

 

[Solinar]

Canon rangefinders at KEH.

I just bought a VI-L which shows many innovations when compared to my pair of IIIf's. The camera is off being CLA'd.

By the way, it is great to hear that John Mattox is still working on the old Barnacks.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I'm off to NYC this week [a two hour train ride] to begin my search for a Barnack. I don't want to pay more than the prices KEH advertises for their Leica Ltm stuff. But I do want to hold a couple of them in my hands to see if this kind of camera is for me. I talked with John Maddox in South Carolina who specialize in the rehabilitation of Barnack cameras and lenses and he let me know that one of these cameras can require extensive rehabing especially if it's been sitting on the shelf for many years like many of them have been. I didn't even know that Canon had made a Barnack-type of camera. Something else to look into.

I think you have a very good idea in actually having one in your hands to see if you like them. If you have not read this thread http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7533 you should. The Barnack Leicas a very nice cameras but quirky to operate and load film into and that may not be for everyone. Any older camera, not just Leicas, may need work after the fact. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Bob

 

[sf]

"alright, alright! I just thought it was hot. Gosh!"

?

I mean, I get the picture. The camera was overpriced. I just thought it looked so good that I needed to post it. Really clean, nice lens, etc.

I will look at the IIIg, etc. as well given the talk about them here. I don't know what to do, I just want A Leica to add to my very small collection of currently 1 camera.

 

[yossarian]

Late to the party, as usual...

Late to the party, as usual...

My Leica stuff, along with everything else of value, had to be liquidated nearly 13 years ago to pay off medical bills.
But the real reason for joining in here is to ruminate on John Henry's upcoming odyssey. He's going to Gotham by Train, no less, in search of a Barnack. How
spectacularly nostalgic.
Please give us a report upon your return.

 

[John Henry]

In my quest for a Barnack, I anticipate first visiting Photo Village, then a 15 minute walk to B&H to check their used inventory as well as take a squint through the vf of the new Zeiss-Ikon and pick up a supply of film, and then a long walk up Park Avenue to Tamarkin for an inspection of their goodies. Do any of you know of other camera dealers that I should visit? Anyway, walking the city is fun and the weather promises to be in the mild mid-forties. I look forward to an enjoyable outing. JH