Leica LTM Is IIIg worth the price > IIIf

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses

Is IIIg worth the price > IIIf

  • IIIg

    Votes: 30 50.0%
  • IIIf

    Votes: 30 50.0%

  • Total voters
    60
The IIIg's viewfinder is objectively better than the IIIf's - but that's almost damning with faint praise. Neither is anything to write home about. I think that's the problem, you can find much better viewfinders on a vast assortment of cameras, a good deal of which can be had for less money.
 
You can choose III Model F which is smaller than IIIF.
However, IIIG is still the best, the felt is totally different from any M series.

1936 III Mod F
48036167237_8482c71458_b.jpg
 
I can reply with some authority on this subject, as I have one of each. And the answer is… if you think so. Or more appropriately, if you spouse/ bank manager/ psychiatrist thinks so. If the priority is taking actual photographs, there are any number of excellent Japanese SLRs available at about an eighth the price of a IIIg. The only real advantage of the g over the f is if you are a 9 cm fan (the standard lens you can guess) and even then you only get the corners of the frame in the viewfinder- which is still, of course separate from the rangefinder.
 
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Side note: whats a good price for Summitar 50 f2, they're all over the place.

$250-300 for a clean one. With Clean I mean no scratches/haze/fungus.


I got one and they have some interesting/cute bokeh, but, IMHO, they are hard to work with. Not useless by any any measure, but you have to be very careful with flare, focus, bokeh (it can turn out quite ugly). Otherwise, a great character lens.

Collapsible Summicron will produce more consistent result. Got both and I quite like both of them but I use Summitar mostly for portrait. Summicron for more general usage.

Regards

Marcelo
 
Also, I own both IIIg and IIIf with self timer. I tend to use IIIf most of the time, since I seldom use the 90mm lens. I use more 35/28mm and 50mm so, for me, not worth it.

Marcelo
 
I have both the IIIc and IIIg. I shoot with the IIIc more than the IIIg because I love the size of the IIIc and I rarely shoot with a 90mm lens so having a more compact camera is ideal for me. The IIIg is nice but for the premium over the IIIc I don’t think it’s worth it.
 
I have both the g and the f. The g was my first Leica, the f has a leicavit which I love. They are both pure mechanical perfection and a joy to use. I love the g with my 85 nikkor.
 
I have a IIIf, but I love my black Standard Leica more than the f. I have never had a IIIg.
 
I like the IIIG

I like the IIIG

I've had the IIF RD, IIIF RD with self timer, and IIIG (x 2).
I got rid of the F models.

The adjustable flash synchronizer of the F is very versatile in theory. But it's just a pain to use in practice, as I have to remember what numbers to use.
I use electronic flash as well as bulb flash units with M, FP bulbs. So I had to carry a synchronizer setting chart with me for the F cameras.

The G has a cleaner, more modern look also.
 
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