LEICA 3f flat dial?

[Anthonym-3]

I saw a LEICA 3f on EBAY, the seller claimed it is a "rare" flat dial. I have a 1952 3f RD that matches his photos. Is this true and does it make a difference in value?

 

[Timmyjoe]

Without seeing the listing it's hard to say what's going on. Is it possible it's a Leica IIf with the "flat" disc covering the space where the slow speed shutter speed dial is located?

Best,
-Tim

 

[splitimageview]

yes, what's the ebay link?

 

[JeffS7444]

A quick check on [That Auction Site] revealed that cameras listed as "flat"all had shutter speed dials similar to the one on the right. Besides minor differences in indicated shutter speed, the example on the left has markings in more of a radial (non-flat?) pattern.

 

[Coldkennels]

I think the bit they're referring to would be the "jaws" of the flash sync dial. On most IIIfs (including mine), the prongs used to push the dial around to change the setting lift upwards from the top deck of the camera, making them easier to manipulate. On the one in the right on @JeffS7444's comparison, they're totally flat to the top deck.

The flat version looks cleaner, but I imagine it'd be a pain to use. Not the end of the world if you only use electronic flash - set it to 2 for a black dial and 0 for a red dial and never think about it again - but an absolute nightmare if you actually use flash bulbs and need to change that setting regularly.

 

[Godfrey]

I think the bit they're referring to would be the "jaws" of the flash sync dial. On most IIIfs (including mine), the prongs used to push the dial around to change the setting lift upwards from the top deck of the camera, making them easier to manipulate. On the one in the right on @JeffS7444's comparison, they're totally flat to the top deck.

The flat version looks cleaner, but I imagine it'd be a pain to use. Not the end of the world if you only use electronic flash - set it to 2 for a black dial and 0 for a red dial and never think about it again - but an absolute nightmare if you actually use flash bulbs and need to change that setting regularly.

Back in the day when I had a IIIf, I simply had a thick plastic toothpick in my bag for adjusting the flash sync ring. 🙂

G

 

[Anthonym-3]

nation.

Back in the day when I had a IIIf, I simply had a thick plastic toothpick in my bag for adjusting the flash sync ring. 🙂

G

Well that certainly settles the question????????