Hammer
Member
looking for some thoughts on a purchase im thinking about; Leica D from 1932 black paint with nickel elmar, condition looks to be very good to excellent with a supposed recent(this year) cla. asking price is $1000, ive never used a LTM leica so my main concerns are the price being fair and the tiny viewfinder/rangefinder. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated
maddoc
... likes film again.
I bought one last year from an Ebay seller in the US for US$549 (+ shipping). No information about any CLA but the camera was one of the rare cases, in which a used camera actual works and the lens looks OK also.
I use it with a wrist-strap (no strap lugs). After the II, I also got a IC Standard and a III. I like both cameras better than the II. The IC is really as minimalist as possible and the III has strap lugs, an adjustable diopter (!!!) and slow speeds. The III also has a modified shutter (shutter breaks?) if I am not mistaken, making it more reliable.
I use it with a wrist-strap (no strap lugs). After the II, I also got a IC Standard and a III. I like both cameras better than the II. The IC is really as minimalist as possible and the III has strap lugs, an adjustable diopter (!!!) and slow speeds. The III also has a modified shutter (shutter breaks?) if I am not mistaken, making it more reliable.
Richard G
Veteran
I bought one from RFF classifieds. New beam splitter made the RF very useable. And it is the whole RF window, not a central patch like with an M. The VF one might adapt to, but the SBOOI finder is the way to go. No strap lugs makes for an extra compact pocketable camera.
Dralowid
Michael
I would suggest that it is priced way too high unless very, very special indeed.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I agree with Maddoc here that a Leica III is a much better user camera than the Leica II.
Get a black and nickel one. How nice it is to have a black paint Leica for so little money. The III is usually substantially cheaper than a Leica II but is really a better camera overall.
Leica III, Summar 50mm f/2, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.
Erik.
Get a black and nickel one. How nice it is to have a black paint Leica for so little money. The III is usually substantially cheaper than a Leica II but is really a better camera overall.
Leica III, Summar 50mm f/2, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.
Erik.
shawn
Veteran
I have a 1932 II that was converted to a III.
The viewfinder is tiny but is useable if it is clear. A 1:1 SBOOI on top is awesome when you want the bigger viewfinder. The II has the 1x RF window (as opposed to 1.5x of the III and later), no diopter adjustment and no strap lugs.
If that camera is serial # 74670 it looks like it is in nice shape. Call them and see who did the CLA. Some of their cameras and lenses are done by DAG.
Shawn
The viewfinder is tiny but is useable if it is clear. A 1:1 SBOOI on top is awesome when you want the bigger viewfinder. The II has the 1x RF window (as opposed to 1.5x of the III and later), no diopter adjustment and no strap lugs.
If that camera is serial # 74670 it looks like it is in nice shape. Call them and see who did the CLA. Some of their cameras and lenses are done by DAG.
Shawn
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
I traded mine off in a deal to get a Bell and Howell Foton. Funny thing, I never Bonded with the black Leica. Don’t miss is at all. BTW a grand is too much (now) but If film revival Really takes off a grand might not be too much. I was told once the reason a Lot of this type Leica has covering no longer Black was because they sat in shop windows for years 
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, the guttapercha of the III gets brown when exposed to daylight for a long time, but it gets darker again in the dark. Why the guttapercha of the other Leicas does not change in color I don't know.
I like this brownish tone, looks a bit like leather.
Erik.
I like this brownish tone, looks a bit like leather.
Erik.
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
Black shoe polish will get it a bit darker, really a nice mid look especially polished. Mine was a II convert to III, probably because of this it never grew on me. Funny thing though it was an eBay true auction the seller didn’t realize he put an ending time during the Super Bowl!
oldwino
Well-known
I purchased a 1930 Leica I with a nickel Elmar for around $500. It had been upgraded to a II at some point later, as it has the diopter adjustment. I think I spent around $250 for a CLA on the camera and lens. Both are great shooters.
Hammer
Member
i guess my main concern are these able to be good daily use cameras, the price is high but difficult to compare as there are few out there
shawn
Veteran
As far as daily use I think that is really going to depend upon you and what you shoot. They are certainly slower cameras to use but that also means you slow down to use them which can be nice. If you have it closed down for smallest carry you have to extend the Elmar, remove cap, wind the film, set shutter(after winding only and you can't really do it by feel), set aperture (which is a little fiddly on the Elmar), focus in one window and compose in the other and shoot. And depending upon what you are shooting potentially add a lens hood in there too as the uncoated Elmar's will flare. Because it is a II you won't have speeds below around 1/20 of a second.
The viewfinder is small but workable, maybe less so if you wear glasses. If CLA'd it should have a clear VF. I have scale focus Kodak Retina's with even smaller viewfinders that I enjoy to shoot too.
Other than that they are Barnacks so you either are going to love it or hate it. If you are looking to shoot with a very classic camera it is a fun choice. If you are looking to shoot with the most functional Barnack the IIIG has a much nicer VF and is only a little bit bigger and has low speed shutter options and you can get it cheaper. Something like a Tower45 adds easier film loading and quick advance too with a nicer finder than the II or III has.
One of these is with the 1932 III and nickel Elmar, one is with a Elmar-M on the M240.
Shawn
Hammer
Member
thanks for the info
ZivcoPhoto
Well-known
I have a 1933 Leica III (116XXX) black paint nickel which I had CLA by DAG, also have the nickel Elmar for it. I wouldn’t sell it for less than $1,000. As Erik said they are fun to use.
Of my four screwmount Leicas that’s the one that I use the most and next is a IIIF that also was CLA by Don. The IIIF has 1/1000 shutter speed but really nothing else over the 1933 Leica III. The older model is small and quite easy to pocket (even with strap lugs). I would love to know to whom it belonged over the years......it is an export model so probably been in US most of its time.
Of my four screwmount Leicas that’s the one that I use the most and next is a IIIF that also was CLA by Don. The IIIF has 1/1000 shutter speed but really nothing else over the 1933 Leica III. The older model is small and quite easy to pocket (even with strap lugs). I would love to know to whom it belonged over the years......it is an export model so probably been in US most of its time.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I have a Leica III with all the improvements over the Leica II. It works relatively well, and was serviced 18 months ago. I would not dream of using it as a daily camera and comes out on special occasion.
Ste_S
Well-known
If you want a daily user ltm camera, then a Canon P.
That’s not a Leica though if that’s what you’re specifically after ?
David Hughes
David Hughes
You wanted some words of wisdom, so I'll start by saying that I have my doubts about any elderly RF for daily use: few will see that as words of wisdom.
As I see it, daily use means carrying the thing around and, as one or two of us that own and use them have pointed out, they are not really pocketable, but awkward to use and there are far better cameras you can put in a pocket and carry around without worries about dropping them or having them stolen. They are also a difficult shape to slide into or out of pockets because they have bits sticking out and they are heavy.
As I see it the Barnacks and all those derived from it are for fun and other pleasures but not really for day to day photography. And to use or carry them properly you need an elderly ERC or one of the nasty inappropriate plastic ones; they are usually sold as "PU leather" to catch mugs. And you'll need an exposure meter and they don't allow flash.
So a fun and interesting classic but not an everyday camera. If that is the criteria then the II (black or chrome) with a contemporary lens has much going for it. And so have all the others...
Thinking only of film cameras then the ones I have and do carry around the most are the Olympus XA's family, the Olympus µ versions and the Konica C35. That list includes two RF's, some AF's, one zone focusing and a fixed focus and was mentioned to show the choice you have for a carring-around-all-day camera.
Regards, David
As I see it, daily use means carrying the thing around and, as one or two of us that own and use them have pointed out, they are not really pocketable, but awkward to use and there are far better cameras you can put in a pocket and carry around without worries about dropping them or having them stolen. They are also a difficult shape to slide into or out of pockets because they have bits sticking out and they are heavy.
As I see it the Barnacks and all those derived from it are for fun and other pleasures but not really for day to day photography. And to use or carry them properly you need an elderly ERC or one of the nasty inappropriate plastic ones; they are usually sold as "PU leather" to catch mugs. And you'll need an exposure meter and they don't allow flash.
So a fun and interesting classic but not an everyday camera. If that is the criteria then the II (black or chrome) with a contemporary lens has much going for it. And so have all the others...
Thinking only of film cameras then the ones I have and do carry around the most are the Olympus XA's family, the Olympus µ versions and the Konica C35. That list includes two RF's, some AF's, one zone focusing and a fixed focus and was mentioned to show the choice you have for a carring-around-all-day camera.
Regards, David
Richard G
Veteran
For months I had my Leica II and Nickel Elmar collapsed in the outer shallow pocket of my Crumpler shoulder bag that went everywhere with me. Daily carry for sure.
Malcolm M
Well-known
West Yorkshire Cameras have a II with Elmar for £299. $1000 seems a bit much to pay just because it’s black. As for ease of use, don’t worry about it- that way madness lies. The purpose of using a Barnack is to use a Barnack. If any actual photographs result, that’s an unwonted bonus. If the photos are any good, that’s a demi-miracle.
David Hughes
David Hughes
The real problem with pre-war Leica outfits is finding one of these in its case and getting it restored.
My one has been restored since the photo was taken but modern cells mean it reads for a 400ASA film at f/16.
Regards, David
My one has been restored since the photo was taken but modern cells mean it reads for a 400ASA film at f/16.
Regards, David