Leica LTM I'm After A Barnack

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I just got up and poured my coffee and am sitting here waiting for the FedEx guy to bring me my Leica IIf from KEH. In EX condition it was $299, then I bought a Summaron from Youxin with a CLA for $400. It arrives tomorrow. This is my first Barnack, and I'm pretty stoked! I'll use my CV metal finder on it, and I think th Summaron will accept my UG IROOA. Good luck on your search.
 
Go after a Barnack, you won't be disappointed. Take your time, look around. Myself, after searching for a while, I found a leica ii in a shop. It was affordable (about $150), cosmetically a bit beat up, but all things working well. I then combined it with a fine industar 50 (for another $30). After shooting that for a few months, you can decide whether or not you like it and if you want to complete the package with an elmar or summar or etc... (I think the collapsible lenses are the pinnacle of the barnacks).

I prefer the 1930s Barnack over the later ones. I know the IIIf and IIIc are the go to recommendations, but I say: check out the II (especially if you don't care for speeds between B and 1/20, which I rarely miss) or the III/a/b. The bodies are more compact, seem denser to me, and usually cheaper, since everyone wants a IIIf and IIIc...
 
eoeaa said:
Go after a Barnack, you won't be disappointed. Take your time, look around. Myself, after searching for a while, I found a leica ii in a shop. It was affordable (less then $150), cosmetically a bit beat up, but all things working well. I then combined it with a fine industar 50 (for another $30). After shooting that for a few months, you can decide whether or not you like it and if you want to complete the package with an elmar or summar or etc... (I think the collapsible lenses are the pinnacle of the barnacks).

I prefer the 1930s Barnack over the later ones. I know the IIIf and IIIc are the go to recommendations, but I say: check out the II (especially if you don't care for speeds between B and 1/20, which I rarely miss) or the III/a/b. The bodies are more compact, seem denser to me, and usually cheaper, since everyone wants a IIIf and IIIc...
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+1

I bought a 1938 black paint Leica II with chrome knobs for $300.00 from Adorama. It is very minimal: no slow speeds; no strap lugs; and is tiny. Its simply the most basic camera.

Its usable as is, but I will likely get it overhauled by Sherry.

Cal
 
Thanks to everyone for your valuable input!

There are only franelines in the viewfinder of IIIf onwards right? For earlier models, how do we shoot with different focal lengths? Using external finders?
 
Vincent.G said:
Thanks to everyone for your valuable input!

There are only franelines in the viewfinder of IIIf onwards right? For earlier models, how do we shoot with different focal lengths? Using external finders?
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No Vincent

frameless, all of them.
I think only the IIIg has frames (50/90)
 
The old Barnacks were mainly using 5cm lenses, with occasional use of an exotic wide angle lens, such as a 3.5cm lens. External finders were used.

My most recent Barnack clone was a Tower-3 (which is a Nicca clone) that Youxin CLA'd and repaired for $280. I also use a Leica IIIf and a Canon IVsb.

My ultimate Barnack is a Standard Leica. It looks super cool with a 2.1cm lens.
 
Vincent.G said:
Thanks to everyone for your valuable input!

There are only franelines in the viewfinder of IIIf onwards right? For earlier models, how do we shoot with different focal lengths? Using external finders?
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Barnacks have a peep-hole of a VF for a 50. The only LTM I know of that had framelines was my IIIG. Even with a 50 many LTM users utilize external VF'ers for that all at once effect for quicker shooting.

I happen to like using a Barnack with a 28 or 35 with zone focusing. The rangefinder is there if I needed, but basically all I need is a box with a shutter. An example: my 35/2.8 Nikkor in LTM offers a zone of focus of 4 1/2 feet to nine feet at F-8.0 with the focus set at six feet. After a while you can imagine the FOV and shoot from the chest.

With a 50 this is mot so easy to do.

Cal
 
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My IIf just arrived. I can't believe how TINY it is! It looks and feels new. VF is small but brighter than my M3. Lens arrives tomorrow. I think the OP will be very pleased with any Barnack!
 
Vics said:
My IIf just arrived. I can't believe how TINY it is! It looks and feels new. VF is small but brighter than my M3. Lens arrives tomorrow. I think the OP will be very pleased with any Barnack!
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Congrats. Does your IIF have a top shutter speed of 1/1000th? Earlier versions had only 1/500th.

Had a IIF for about a week. It got day-traded in an art deal.

Cal
 
burancap said:
Hoping not to step on any rules (please delete if so), I have been considering listing my IIIc/f kit.
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Quoting myself!

This thread led me to pick mine up ... now, I'm not sure I want to sell! :bang:

I forgot how beautiful they are and how fantastic they feel in your hands!

Mine is a IIIc sharkskin that was factory converted to a IIIf.
 
newspaperguy said:
. . . I've owned numerous Barnack Leicas over the years... and have sold them all. . .
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Same here, except for my 1936 IIIa, which was my first Leica (bought 1969 when I was 19), and which I therefore keep for sentimental reasons. I've had A, II, III, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIIf, IIIg: in some cases, more than one of each. I've even handled IIId (fake) and (reall) FF/GG. I've not bought a new srew-mount Leica in 30 years or more.

On the other hand I have five Ms (M2, M4-P, MP, M8, M9), which I use when I actually want to take pictures, rather than playing with ancient fine machinery. I've also had M3 (two or three) and M8.2 but there's a limit to how many Leicas one can use even occasionally.

Going on my own my experience, those who praise Russian copies above Leicas must have had very bad Leicas or praeternaturally good Feds. And yes, I've had Feds too.

Cheers,

R.
 
The camera came to me adjusted so that there is no VF attached, and instead there are two accessory holders. I really like using this camera. I often use a W-Rokkor 2.1cm 4.0 with a VF on this camera. The non-retrofocus lens works very well with this camera.

I wonder what such a Standard is worth these days.
 
The Standard's speeds are butter smooth. The black camera looks great. The Bessa L has a very different feel to it. This one is a Leica after all.
 
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