Im about to buy a Leica-maybe

[pesphoto]

Great suggestions guys. Charles, its a beauty. I do like the idea of the external finder. I have a really nice J8 I can use in the meantime, but I do like the idea of some Leica glass. Back to KEH, but first checking out the RFF classifieds.

 

[colyn]

A negative carrier that is a little bigger than the frame size (along length of film) is not a problem. I use a 6x7 neg carrier to print 6x6 frames all the time, and that's a difference of 10mm. The 2mm difference in your hypothetical case is even more insignificant.

Some of my D2 carriers are homemade and a couple are used like you do. After my 6x6 carrier went AWOL I used the 6x9 to print my 6x6 negs.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Just to show how good the new VC 50mm 2.5 look on Barnaks:

thet's mahty purty 🙂

What kind of strap is that? I'm still waiting (a month and a half later) for my 35 'cron and IIIc to come back from DAG, so I could probably shop around for one like yours in the meantime.

 

[HuubL]

Just to show how good the new VC 50mm 2.5 look on Barnaks:

Old Barnacks on oak... awesomely pretty!!

 

[Trius]

Yes, Charles, that one's gorgeous, and a great shot!

 

[aad]

By all means, that camera requires an Elmar. I keep a VC viewfinder on mine, as well.

The Elmar works surprisingly well and allows you to drag the camera everywhere-plus it looks cool!

 

[edodo]

Quote:
Originally Posted by edodo
Just to show how good the new VC 50mm 2.5 look on Barnaks:

thet's mahty purty 🙂

What kind of strap is that? I'm still waiting (a month and a half later) for my 35 'cron and IIIc to come back from DAG, so I could probably shop around for one like yours in the meantime.

Its not my IIIc, I just wanted to show that the VC lens merits its success in Japan, that's it. I am sorry, I don't know what kind of strap it is. Here is the link to the original thread where that nice outfit photo comes from http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009Cdl

 

[pesphoto]

By all means, that camera requires an Elmar. I keep a VC viewfinder on mine, as well.

The Elmar works surprisingly well and allows you to drag the camera everywhere-plus it looks cool!

I think I may be getting an elmar to start off.

 

[pesphoto]

KEH emailed me, the Leica IIIa i wanted was sold to someone else. Oh well, back to my search

 

[Rafael]

Oh, that's rough! But hey, the search is fun... Good luck!

 

[jesse1dog]

There is always something else!

There is always something else!

KEH emailed me, the Leica IIIa i wanted was sold to someone else. Oh well, back to my search

That's very disappointing!
Know how it can feel too.
Now you can start again!
Why a Leica IIIa?
I picked up a Ic not long ago and had a CLA on it.
With a 5 cm brightline finder and an Elmar, I think its a beaut.
It seems to handle rather better than my IIf I partly because it doesn't have the sync ring under the top shutter dial. And there is no problem about rangefinder or viewfinder dimness. Simplicity itself.

But here's a deviant idea!!
Have a look at the Bessa spec on the Cameraquest site!

Whatever - don't feel down. I have a leaking oil feed line to my heating boiler. But I did catch the mouse that was eating my breakfast and making the usual mouse mess. Go on now - just tell me there might be several mice - ruin my day!!!

 

[aad]

So tell me-does an M3 or 2 really feel any better than a (beautiful gorgeous) LTM Leica?

 

[FrankS]

So tell me-does an M3 or 2 really feel any better than a (beautiful gorgeous) LTM Leica?

It's the viewfinder!

 

[pesphoto]

It's the viewfinder!

......And the price.

 

[pesphoto]

That's very disappointing!

Why a Leica IIIa?

Just want a Leica, simple enough...and the IIIa was the least expensive on the KEH site.
I have a Bessa R I really like.

 

[edodo]

I bought a quite OK M2 but with dirty viewfinder and I preffered the IIIa by far, even for focusing (with the SBOOI)! So I ask a refund for that M2. Plus the difference in size is gigantic... Those Barnacks are cutely tiny. Anyway, I am waiting for a mint M4 that should show up in a few days, so maybe I'll change my mind! The price difference is something but may vary greatly from where you buy it and the amount of time you search for THE good deal.

The IIIa should not be reguarded as a cheaper leica counterpart, because its the last leica designed when Barnack was still alive, and that the more advance model are not as beautiful (like the single frame body cast that was made to reduce cost, even If it makes it more 'sturdy' to some), especially the plastic involved in the shutter advance knob is not that terrific! That's my humble opinion. Anyway later Barnacks can be smooth because of the bearing ball mecanism that was introduced in the IIIc.

 

[pesphoto]

I bought a quite OK M2 but with dirty viewfinder and I preffered the IIIa by far, even for focusing (with the SBOOI)! So I ask a refund for that M2. Plus the difference in size is gigantic... Those Barnacks are cutely tiny. Anyway, I am waiting for a mint M4 that should show up in a few days, so maybe I'll change my mind! The price difference is something but may vary greatly from where you buy it and the amount of time you search for THE good deal.

The IIIa should not be reguarded as a cheaper leica counterpart, because its the last leica designed when Barnack was still alive, and that the more advance model are not as beautiful (like the single frame body cast that was made to reduce cost, even If it makes it more 'sturdy' to some), especially the plastic involved in the shutter advance knob is not that terrific! That's my humble opinion. Anyway later Barnacks can be smooth because of the bearing ball mecanism that was introduced in the IIIc.

So Charles, if you could choose one Barnack which one would it be?

 

[FrankS]

I like the IIf for its simplicity.

 

[edodo]

I like the idea of a scale focusing If, but those are expensive! The IIIa is a good idea if you get a good condition one and that is quite hard since its a 70 years old camera! A IIIc seems to be a good compromise but some wartime models suffer from painting flaking. I can't tell you what is the camera YOU need, but for me the IIIa fills the bill (considering I got it cheap and in very very nice condition). IIIf are awesomely nice, and IIIg is the dream come true (at a certain price though). Anyway, any Barnacks are beautiful camera when in good condition! I can't just say that a particular model is better than the others because it depends on the condition! Sorry for being unable to make up my mind, I am still young!

 

[aad]

It's the viewfinder!

Well, I do have that CV viewfinder on there..