Leica IIIf

[colker]

i have got one here in a msirable state. It was given to me about 10yrs ago, alreay in a bad state and i left it in a shelf getting dust on.
i tried to frame w/ the FR and thought the camera was impossible for me to work with... didn't know i needed an external VF!
anyway... the RF is hazy, lens is hazy and fogged, the exterior has lost the polished shine. it does have a leather case.
Is it worth restoring? i would like to trade it on a new RF... a Bessa. i have trouble focusing, shoot a lot of portraits and new VFS always help me.

Thank you for your attention
Flavio Colker

www.flaviocolker.com.br

 

[HuubL]

A picture or two would help...

 

[Tom A]

If it is a "stock" IIIF, black dial it is probably not worth spending the money on a service. The fogged viewfinder can be fixed (cleaned) and, unless the shutter needs replacing, it could be put in working state (I would venture a guess of $200-250) with a straight CLA.
If it a late IIIf with selftimer, red dial etc. it could be worthwhile to clean and service as these are wort a bit more. That version would be the only one that would be worth close to what a Bessa rangefinder is worth as a trade.
The lens depends entirely on which lens it is, how badly damaged it is. Fog in itself is not a problem, but if it is fog from water damage, it usually also would need aperture blade replacement, decoating or recoating of the elements etc - and it has to be a rare and expensive lens to warrant it.
I would ship the lens of to a reputable Leica service technician and ask for a quote on the "resurrection" cost.
The risk is always that it has been exposed to moisture and things have rusted. That usually is a "death" sentence to a camera.

 

[colker]

thanks. I will send it to a local mechanic and see if i can get it in shooting shape.
and i will get a new RF.😉