edodo
Well-known
rolleistef
Well-known
well, things happen. You'll have another opportunity anyway! It certainly meant it wasn't the right moment for you. And an other one will pop before your eyes, and you'll get it for even cheaper! It happens all the time 
Btw, is there anyone here who actually uses his/her IIIg?
Btw, is there anyone here who actually uses his/her IIIg?
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Solinar
Analog Preferred
Sweet. It looks like it needs a CLA - the slow shutter speeds are off, the RF patch needs vertical adjustment, some haze in the VF and what ever else that wasn't mentioned. It's still a deal at $400.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
the IIIg along with the Summarit lens is the only Leica that I got rid of.
I found it is too advanced to have the primitive LTM bare bones charm,
and not as practical as an M Leica, really kind of a "nowhere" expensive camera.
I found it is too advanced to have the primitive LTM bare bones charm,
and not as practical as an M Leica, really kind of a "nowhere" expensive camera.
SteveM(PA)
Poser
rolleistef said:
I know Keith has one, but I don't think it's on his "active" shelf currently.
edodo
Well-known
For me the IIIG is a sweet sweet camera because it has parrallax and a decent 50mm viewfinder integrated. I like the tiny size of the barnacks. Rolleistef thanks for the kind words, and I hope to find others like this. For the time being I need to calm down as I just bought 2 weeks ago a M4 and matching 50mm summicron! GAS...
Leicabug
Established
I still use my IIIg with summitar on regular basis. Not as convient as M6 but I love taking pictures with old camera and lens.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
"too advanced to have the primitive LTM bare bones charm,
and not as practical as an M Leica"
You may be right, but if one shoots less than a roll a day as I generally do and use only use the 50 and 90 focal lengths - the IIIg means you can leave the spare finders at home. - Plus, the modern shutter speeds are a nice touch.
A $400 IIIg, even if needs a CLA - is a sweet deal.
and not as practical as an M Leica"
You may be right, but if one shoots less than a roll a day as I generally do and use only use the 50 and 90 focal lengths - the IIIg means you can leave the spare finders at home. - Plus, the modern shutter speeds are a nice touch.
A $400 IIIg, even if needs a CLA - is a sweet deal.
Mohan
Established
I love my IIIG but allas it needs a shutter repair so hasnt had much use yet.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
SteveM(PA) said:I know Keith has one, but I don't think it's on his "active" shelf currently.
Maybe I should 'activate' it ... I can sort of relate it to it being a nowhwere camera. Not quite an M and not as basic as IIIf or similar. It's a stunningly beautiful camera and cost a lot more than $400.00 but I seem to reach for my Fed 2 when I want the screwmount experience. I think the disproportionate amount money that the IIIg costs tends to put you off using it and IIIg beaters just don't seem to exist.
$400.00 plus a CLA from Youxin Ye would put a person in IIIg heaven at a cool price. THAT was a bargain!
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I found that the taller vf/rf upper structure on the IIIg upset the nice aesthetics and balance of the classic Barnack design.
I find something similar in the Canon Vt versus the Canon L1 ,or the VIt and the VIL, the bottom winder makes the camera too large and heavy and ruins its aesthetics and balance.
just my humble opinion.
I find something similar in the Canon Vt versus the Canon L1 ,or the VIt and the VIL, the bottom winder makes the camera too large and heavy and ruins its aesthetics and balance.
just my humble opinion.
petepete_seattle
Member
That is a sweet deal! I love my IIIg. Looks so classic compared to the digital pocket cams everyone has. Watch out though I just got an M6!
giellaleafapmu
Well-known
rolleistef said:
I missed this post. I do use my IIIg on a regular basis. It is small, it has a very high quality I cannot find even in my M4 (well...in my opinipon at least) and I like the separate rangefinder/viewfider system. I only wish I will be able to find a modern Summicron at a decent price for this camera sometime, but I am not in a hurry for that.
Giella lea Fapmu
Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
I have a IIIg due back shortly from service with John Maddox.
The shutter brake on my camera required replacement. John tells me that this is not uncommon with a IIIg. The original shutter brake is the same which Leitz used with the IIIf but the rotating parts, the moving metal that the brake stops, are more massive in the IIIg. This leads to failure of the brake.
John has a souce in Germany for replacement shutter brakes and can replace the damaged one with a new unit. It's not difficult to imagine an old fellow in a leather apron making replacement shutter brakes by hand in a cottage somewhere in the Black Forest.
The shutter brake on my camera required replacement. John tells me that this is not uncommon with a IIIg. The original shutter brake is the same which Leitz used with the IIIf but the rotating parts, the moving metal that the brake stops, are more massive in the IIIg. This leads to failure of the brake.
John has a souce in Germany for replacement shutter brakes and can replace the damaged one with a new unit. It's not difficult to imagine an old fellow in a leather apron making replacement shutter brakes by hand in a cottage somewhere in the Black Forest.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Interesting thread because I am seiously considering a IIIg. Would anybody hazard a guess as to what the going rate for a IIIg in excellent+ condition might be. Thanks.
Bob
Bob
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Nikon Bob said:
$1000-1400
HL
furcafe
Veteran
I bought 1 a few months ago, but between it needing repair/CLA & the distraction of my new M8, I haven't had a chance to put more than a few rolls through it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/ernstleitzleicaiiigc1959/
So far, I'd say that it's a nice, very well-made, camera & the VF is certainly an improvement over the regular "Barnacks," but I have to partially agree w/xayraa33 that it came @ the cost of significantly larger size than the preceding thread mount Leicas. I think the Nicca 5L & various Canon RFs were better able to retain the Barnack form-factor w/other useful improvements.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/ernstleitzleicaiiigc1959/
So far, I'd say that it's a nice, very well-made, camera & the VF is certainly an improvement over the regular "Barnacks," but I have to partially agree w/xayraa33 that it came @ the cost of significantly larger size than the preceding thread mount Leicas. I think the Nicca 5L & various Canon RFs were better able to retain the Barnack form-factor w/other useful improvements.
rolleistef said:
Solinar
Analog Preferred
The Going Price for a IIIg
The Going Price for a IIIg
I've always wanted a IIIg. So, I picked up a user IIIg of the auction site last month for $500. It isn't pristine, but it's not a beater either. I've just got back from DAG and have yet to finish the first roll of film. I've been using a Voigtlander Perkeo II, because it's more pocketable.
Comments: The IIIg has an excellent finder and I like the modern shutter speed progression. A large diameter lens still blocks the finder a bit. This is especially true with my 85/2 Nikkor. Luckily, I have a 90/4 Elmar.
The Going Price for a IIIg
I've always wanted a IIIg. So, I picked up a user IIIg of the auction site last month for $500. It isn't pristine, but it's not a beater either. I've just got back from DAG and have yet to finish the first roll of film. I've been using a Voigtlander Perkeo II, because it's more pocketable.
Comments: The IIIg has an excellent finder and I like the modern shutter speed progression. A large diameter lens still blocks the finder a bit. This is especially true with my 85/2 Nikkor. Luckily, I have a 90/4 Elmar.
Peter13x18
Newbie
111g
111g
The Leica IIIG is my favorite screwmount Leica.
Bought a really ugly (this spring) one for 150 euro and spend approx 300 to overhaul it completely.
Now its a reliable camera, it will never be mint, but that doesnot matter to me.
Rgds Peter
111g
The Leica IIIG is my favorite screwmount Leica.
Bought a really ugly (this spring) one for 150 euro and spend approx 300 to overhaul it completely.
Now its a reliable camera, it will never be mint, but that doesnot matter to me.
Rgds Peter
pdx138
Established
rolleistef said:
Absolutely! I carry my IIIg with me every day. It is my most used camera. I love the separate magnified rangefinder focus with the paralax corrected view finder. It is really a joy to use.
Although it does make me want an M, not because the IIIg is lacking in usability, it is just lacking the M mount. My ZM Planar 50 is my favorite lens, but it doesn't get used as much as it should because it is on my Bessa. The Bessa is a great camera, and I was perfectly satisfied with it until I got the IIIg...