Leica IIIg - parallax correction on early cameras?

[SimonPJ]

The 50 and 90 framelines in my 1956 IIIg do not move. There is no parallax correction.

Is this because:

- the parallax correction mechanism is faulty on my camera?

- early IIIg cameras didn’t have parallax correction?

- no IIIg cameras have parallax correction?

This photo of the frame mask illumination window on my IIIg shows that the mask is very close to the surface of the glass. It’s hard to see how it could be linked to a parallax correction mechanism.

 

[Malcolm M]

My IIIg certainly has parallax correction- but be advised that the movement of the framelines is very modest. As far as I am aware, all IIIg cameras had parallax correction. You claim that your camera is 1956. I believe that the g ran from 1957-60. Could it be a modified IIIf? There are sources of the internet that cross-reference serial numbers to model and date of manufacture.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The visibility of the mask from the front is normal, and there should be parallax correction. As Malcolm said, the movement is less than it is on Leica M cameras. This is because the finder is closer to the lens on the IIIg than on an M. If yours is not moving at all, the camera needs service.

 

[SimonPJ]

My IIIg certainly has parallax correction- but be advised that the movement of the framelines is very modest. As far as I am aware, all IIIg cameras had parallax correction. You claim that your camera is 1956. I believe that the g ran from 1957-60. Could it be a modified IIIf? There are sources of the internet that cross-reference serial numbers to model and date of manufacture.

Thanks Malcolm. The serial number of my IIIg is 828xxx, from the second of four batches produced during 1956 (as shown in the various versions of the camera serial number lists available online and in books). It falls within the first 3,500 of the total of 41,583 IIIg’s built. Presumably these cameras were manufactured in preparation for the launch in 1957.

Can you see the frameline mask immediately behind the glass window on your IIIg?

I’m sure the most likely explanation for the fact that the framelines on my camera aren’t moving is some problem with the mechanism. It’s not something I noticed until very recently, and hasn’t affected my use of the camera. I was just curious when I noticed that the frameline mask seems to be flush with the surface of the window glass. If it does move in that position, it is clearly quite different to the masks within the M rangefinder/viewfinder mechanism, which sit separately within the optical path.

 

[SimonPJ]

The visibility of the mask from the front is normal, and there should be parallax correction. As Malcolm said, the movement is less than it is on Leica M cameras. This is because the finder is closer to the lens on the IIIg than on an M. If yours is not moving at all, the camera needs service.

Thanks for clarifying that Chris. I can live with the lack of parallax correction on my IIIg as the rest of the camera - shutter speeds, film wind, rangefinder and viewfinder are all working like a just-serviced camera. I was just curious because the frameline mask looks very like the etched-on framelines you see on rangefinder cameras without parallax correction.

 

[Erik van Straten]

IIIg has parallax correction

position of mask normal on picture

remove lens, look through viewfinder, press roller in lens mount, see if mask in viewfinder moves

if not, look for a competent repairman

Erik.

 

[jcb4718]

I have a IIIg and agree with everyone's comments. The parallax correction is indeed relatively modest because the viewfinder is close to the lens. Its so close that I think its impossible to attach a hood to a 50mm lens without obscuring the view. If I use a hood I attach a SBOOI external finder. Its placement is slightly higher than the III series screwmounts. I frame using the close focus (dotted) frameline at normal-to-far distances and I'm conservative at close distances. It works fine.