Leica IIIC - cases for/against?

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nongfuspring

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I posted a while back about getting my first film RF. I got some amazing advice from some of the members here and eventually ran into a Ricoh 500G while in HK for a bargain. It worked great for a while but then the meter failed and then the entire thing stopped working. It'll cost a lot more to fix it than its worth. I discovered I really enjoyed shooting with film though and what I like in a camera.

I really would like a camera small enough to carry around, and bullet proof (or easily repairable) enough for me to not worry about knocking. Speed of use isn't as important to me as image quality. More than anything though, is a camera that I know I'll be able to depend on.

So I was wondering about a Leica iiiC, user grade ones seem pretty cheap and besides lacking a meter do everything I need it to. I figure I'll slap on a cheap Jupiter (though totally open to suggestions) and maybe upgrade in the future.

I've never picked one up though, and also I don't think I'll have the opportunity to in the near future. The one thing I wonder about is the viewfinder/rangefinder. How do you guys like the separate windows? They seem slower to use, but is there much of a gain in terms of accuracy?

Also, is this a good camera as a primary user?
 
IMHO the IIIc is the best value in RF's. The only caution is the small RF, but if your eyes are ok its not a problem. I always favor the Barnacks if the situation doesn't require fast shoot and load conditions.
 
I like the IIIC for it's small size, and how smoothly it operates. For normal shooting the two-step process of focusing and shooting is not troublesome. For faster shooting I preset the aperture and shutter speed for the conditions, and I prefocus to the distance I expect to shoot. All I need to do is compose and push the button.

I like to use a collapsible Summicron on the Barnack Leicas. It has less flare than the Summar, Summitar, or Elmar, not to mention being sharper and having more contrast. It makes for a slick and pocketable combination which can make great images.
 
You just have to pick one up and look through it before you go any further. The small view and rangefinders can come as a nasty surprise to someone who is unfamiliar with the camera.

If you can get on with them, then it is a great camera. If you can't I doubt you'd use it. It is not a question of the two separate finders, that arrangement works intuitively, it is their size...to some, their squintyness.

Having said that a IIIc is often reasonably priced. You can choose a lens to suit your pocket (both meanings!) and you'll get a lot of advice about lenses here!!!!!!!!!!

Michael
 
Dralowid is correct. The finder is small and not for everyone. That said, the IIIc is one of my favorites and I carry it often. I use the 50mm f3.5 Elmar because it is so small and it is what I have altho I do often think about a 50mm f2.0 lens. For serious/important work I use an M6 but I prefer my IIIc and seem to get some of my favorite photos from it. I have other focal length lenses for it but I almost think the screw mount cameras are at their best with a 50mm. Joe
 
Echo the points about the small viewfinder. I find the rangefinder tricky to use, even in good light (impossible in bad light). That said, it handles well of course, and you can always get separate viewfinders to slide into the top plate. I use these with my two VC lenses (50mm and 15mm).
 
A IIIc was my 1st "Barnack" body & I always found mine (CLA'ed by DAG) to be a good user (though I still prefer the combined VF/RF of a good Contax II or IIa). Mine has peeling chrome, but that obviously doesn't affect its function.
 
The IIIc is one of the finest cameras you'll ever use. One issue though....many found on eBay have cracked flaking shutter curtains even though the seller may say it is in good working condition. Try to find one that has had the curtains replaced since replacement of the curtains is expensive..

Another issue is weak rf spot in some. This can be fixed by replacing the half mirror..
 
colyn said:
The IIIc is one of the finest cameras you'll ever use. One issue though....many found on eBay have cracked flaking shutter curtains even though the seller may say it is in good working condition. Try to find one that has had the curtains replaced since replacement of the curtains is expensive..
Click to expand...

I agree with all that. It is a great little camera, and a very old one. The chance of finding one that is in good useable condition, ready to shoot, is not good. I have bought three of them, and I've had them all overhauled. Two of them needed new curtains. So I would plan on having a IIIc CLA'd after buying.

I use mine with Voigtlander wide angle lenses. I use the 35/2/5, the 28/3.5, and the 25/4.5. I use accessory finders, so there's no problem at all with the little peepsight (for me)! 😀 These all have good DOF, making focusing less critical. The 25mm isn't even rangefinder coupled, eliminating the need to use the viewfinder or the rangefinder! 😀 These lenses are all very compact and pancake-like. With any of them, the camera fits into a vest pocket.

So. The IIIc is on the "Rob-F Recommended list."
 
I hope no one minds if I tack on some IIIC related questions.

What would be the rangefinder magnification on the IIIC eyepiece and has it been consistent throughout the various models (a,b,c,d,f) over the years?

I often see sharkskin IIIC's on Ebay. Is sharkskin an improvement over vulcanite or a budget wartime alternative covering? Has it been more durable than regular vulcanite?
 
Rob-F said:
I agree with all that. It is a great little camera, and a very old one. The chance of finding one that is in good useable condition, ready to shoot, is not good. I have bought three of them, and I've had them all overhauled. Two of them needed new curtains. So I would plan on having a IIIc CLA'd after buying.
Click to expand...

I see a lot of them on eBay going less than $200 but I suspect most need service since they are described as "estate finds" or "stored for many years". You can expect to have to get them serviced before use.

I put my newly overhauled IIIc on eBay but I am also expecting more than the others listed since it has new curtains and half mirror.
 
The IIIc rangefinder has a greater than unity magnification. I think it's 1.5x. The very early Barnacks were 1:1. The M series, on the other hand, magnify less than unity, ranging from .58 to .91.
 
funkydog said:
I hope no one minds if I tack on some IIIC related questions.

What would be the rangefinder magnification on the IIIC eyepiece and has it been consistent throughout the various models (a,b,c,d,f) over the years?

I often see sharkskin IIIC's on Ebay. Is sharkskin an improvement over vulcanite or a budget wartime alternative covering? Has it been more durable than regular vulcanite?
Click to expand...

I don't recall what the magnifications is but most seem to be about the same.

Sharkskin is just another way for the seller to ask more money. It is the same vulcanite just a different pattern..

It is also NOT rare....
 
I've been using a IIIf as my main camera for a few years and i love it. The IIIc should be about the same minus flash sync. I use it with aux. finders exclusively, even for 50mm (get an SBOOI finder!).

To me the built-in finder is the only real flaw in these cameras. Many people will tell you that film loading is another one because it takes ages but once you loaded 10-20 films it's not really slower than with an M3. It's also great with wide angle lenses, I can recommend the Skopar 25/4, the cheapest (used) of the modern LTM lenses and with click stop scale focusing feature. Such a combination makes shooting with these cameras really fast.

SUmmary: get one! I started with a 70s fixed-lens RF as well and as much as I still like this type of camera, the feel and built-quality of a Barnack is on a completely different level.
 
I'm another fan of the IIIc. It meets your criteria for a small, rugged, high quality film RF. Budget for a CLA. Mine was worked on by Youxin Ye and is now a joy to use. I use mine w/ a CV brightline finder, even when shooting a 50. I usually shoot an Elmar 50/3.5 or a CV Skopar 50/2.5. Either set up makes a nice, high quality kit that can easily go on a jacket pocket or small pouch.
 
I've been using a IIIf as my main camera for a few years and i love it. The IIIc should be about the same minus flash sync. I use it with aux. finders exclusively, even for 50mm (get an SBOOI finder!).

To me the built-in finder is the only real flaw in these cameras. Many people will tell you that film loading is another one because it takes ages but once you loaded 10-20 films it's not really slower than with an M3. It's also great with wide angle lenses, I can recommend the Skopar 25/4, the cheapest (used) of the modern LTM lenses and with click stop scale focusing feature. Such a combination makes shooting with these cameras really fast.

SUmmary: get one! I started with a 70s fixed-lens RF as well and as much as I still like this type of camera, the feel and built-quality of a Barnack is on a completely different level.
 
Just an afterthought...

The OP is thinking of going from a Ricoh 500G to a IIIc. I don't know much about the 500G but assume it is a small automatic camera with a fair viewfinder...a big change.

...don't know if it is easy to find one that works but perhaps, just perhaps, he should be thinking of that most Leicalike of Ricohs, the GR1?

Michael
 
Thanks a bunch to all of you for the replies. It sounds like a great choice.

A few of you mentioned the cracking/flaking of the shutter, how much is it to get a shutter replaced?
 
They are great little cameras but they are also 60+ years old and reflect the technology of the time. I try to use mine as often as possible but it isn't as convenient as using an M, or one of my 35mm SLRs and I suspect I would find it frustrating if it was my only camera.
 
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