Iiic
Iiic
Thirty years ago I had two IIFs and a IIIG...I loved the IIFs especially, kept a Nikon 35 3.5 on one and a 90 Elmar on the other, both with Leica bright frame finders. The IIIG was interesting, but the design was obviously degenerating into the M series...
I did get an M2, but it was fairly useless because I'd started to make my living in graphic design and studio photography....abandoned Leica's charms for superior Canon F1 optics and practicality, and especially for large format.
Years passed, now still shoot one of my Canon F1s, but am gravitating toward my recently acquired IIIC. Lovely. Summaron 35 3.5, Elmar 35 3.5 uncoated, Fed 50 Elmaroid, uncoated 90 Elmar.
The uncoated Elmars are from 37' or so, are very sharp. The uncoated 35 seems as sharp as the beautiful 1953 Summaron, but it's more prone to flare. With a lens hood they're equal, and maybe there's an advantage to that clitoroid adjustment gizmo vs a conventional ring: It doesn't accidentally get moved.
I've been shooting nothing but Kodak High Definition color neg in the Leica...great film in 200ei, terrible in 400. Nice for the old Leica because it's got lots of latitude and I'm getting back into the hang of guessing exposure...surprisingly good at it, actually, like a real Leica shooter
