Leica screw mount camera question

[jcb4718]

I have a question about the advance/rewind lever and the rangefinder adjustment lever. I notice in the case of some earlier models these levers have a lug that rotates into the top housing to make the adjustment. In later models any lug rotation takes place under the housing so no 'slits' in the top housing are necessary. I assume they work equally well but the presence of slits was considered undesirable because of the possibility of dust and dirt entering the housing...hence the change. Is that the story?

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

On a Leica screw-mount camera?
The lever that adjusts the rangefinder is inside the camera housing, acting on the back of the lens screwed into the body.

 

[jcb4718]

Well, yes. I don't have the version, I'm just curious. I have taken the attached image from the Vintage Camera Lenses website to show what I mean. The bottom camera has the levers with lugs. The rewind lever has a teardrop shaped lug and the rangefinder adjustment has a square shaped lug.

 

[xayraa33]

Well, yes. I don't have the version, I'm just curious. I have taken the attached image from the Vintage Camera Lenses website to show what I mean. The bottom camera has the levers with lugs. The rewind lever has a teardrop shaped lug and the rangefinder adjustment has a square shaped lug.

The move to a close distance VF/RF dual eyepiece( from Leica IIIb onwards) might have something to do with moving the lever to around the film rewind knob instead of it being coaxial around the RF eyepiece like on the Leica III and IIIa models.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Sorry I misunderstood the question. You are asking about the eyepiece adjustment diopter.

 

[megido]

I believe the reason for moving the diopter lever was to avoid it being moved back to its '0' position when being stored in its case.

 

[jcb4718]

I'm sorry if my question was not clear and I have caused confusion. On the top plate of the camera are two rotating levers: one is turned to allow the film to be rewound and the other is turned to focus the rangefinder. In earlier cameras these levers have lugs that rotate into the body of the camera to engage with their respective mechanisms inside. In later cameras any engagement is under the top plate so no 'slots' are needed in the top plate. I assume both arrangements work equally well but the presence of the 'slots' was considered undesirable because of the possibility of dust and dirt entering the top plate...hence the change. Is that the story?

 

[Larry Cloetta]

I might be misunderstanding the question as well, but there are no “slots” in the top plate under the A/R lever or the diopter adjustment lever in either case, early or late.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

I haven't seen any slots, but I haven't seen everything.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Model II does not have this lever, but model III does (around the focusing eyepiece). From the IIIb onwards it is around the rewind knob. I prefer the lever on the III, much easier to find when looking through the camera.

Erik.

 

[Richard G]

If you’ve only seen photos, that black arc of the path of the rewind lever is not a slot. It is a paint filled engraving. There are no slots. I have II, III and IIIf. No slots.

 

[Richard G]

If you’re thinking of getting one of these cameras they really are fun and so compact. I have some nice Ms but the IIIf has been my recent workhorse. Any of them will do. I love the II as it is cleaner and simpler with no slow speed option. I love the later ones because they do. A clean 50 Elmar and the SBOOI accessory finder makes a fantastic street camera, hiking or cycling camera.

 

[jcb4718]

I have attached a photo of a IIIB. Under the rewind knob is the lever that adjusts the rangefinder focus. The lever has a lug that is just entering the top housing. It would be impossible to turn the lever at all unless it entered the top housing and it seems to me the purpose of this lug is to engage with the internal focussing mechanism. There is a similar arrangement with the lever that allows the film to be rewound. I was just curious to know more about these earlier arrangements.

 

[Bill Clark]

The lever under the rewind knob is a diopter feature that adjusts to most folks eyes. I also own a IIIa where this lever is located by the lens that’s used for focusing.

The rangefinder focus is adjusted with the lever on each lens that’s on the camera.

 

[Rob-F]

If you’ve only seen photos, that black arc of the path of the rewind lever is not a slot. It is a paint filled engraving. There are no slots. I have II, III and IIIf. No slots.

The lever under the rewind knob is a diopter feature that adjusts to most folks eyes.

So that's what he's asking about! Whew! I don't know when I have ever been so baffled by a Leica question. You two did a great job of unravelling this! I could not imagine any slots, didn't know what to say.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Yes indeed, on a Leica IIIb (only), the diopter lever has a part that slides under the top cover.