Leica screw mount view finder observations

lawnpotter

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Over the course of 6 months, I went from not knowing what a leica srew mount is to now owning 3 of them. I dont know how this happened. Anyhow, I wear glasses and view finders are always an issue with me. Here are some observations.
1) with glasses the view finder of the IIIg is not great. It also has that UV glue tint
2) with glasses, the view finder of the III and IIIc is surprisingly good
3) I like the small squinty view finder of the iii and IIIc, it is bright and it puts the image in a little box which makes it easier for composition
4) I also like using the VC 50mm viewfinder
5) when using an external finder, I think the Leica III is better cause of the seperated internal viewfinder and rangefinder.
6) If using the in camera view finder only, I prefer using the iiic because of the close veiwfinder/rangefinder arrangement.
7) The flash sync on the IIIg is in a terrible place for people with glasses
8) The iiig is very quiet compared to the other 2
9) The iiic is too loud, even louder than the III
The IIIg is too big compared to the other 2.
10) I might sell the IIIg 🙁
11) Not sure yet how inacurate the viewfinder of IIIc is yet, need to take more pictures
I hope this info is useful for someone shopping like I was
 
My III was a bargain from Keh with off shutter speeds, it needs a CLA. My leica IIIc had a CLA a couple of years ago according to the seller but he has no proof. The IIIc is louder but not by too much. The IIIg is noticebly quieter. I think the IIIg and the IIIf had a newer shutter design. I just sent Youxin Yee an email to confirm this.
 
I found the IIIa and IIf VFs fairly poor; no parallax correction, they are seriously optimistic about coverage when the subject is at 1 metre (OK, the M3 suffers from that too but at least you can see outside the frame and guesstimate) and the edges aren't sharply defined. It's a trade-off for small size, I suppose.
 
After I cla'd my III, IIIc and both IIIf's they all sounded the same. ..btw sold them all. Have left over a IIa synch. Not cla'd yet and sounds a bit louder than the others

oh and my M6 and M8.2 are louder....but my zorki 2 was more quiet!
 
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My IIIc has been CLA'd and the shutter is louder than either my M2 or Canon P, but not objectionally so. The vf is nice and bright, but I still use an external finder most of the time whem shooting a 50.
 
I'm in the same eyeglasses camp as I'm sure many others are here. I had wanted a IIIg for the longest time, as for me it was long considered to be the 'ultimate' in screwmount Leicas. Well I finally took the plunge and bought a 'bargain' IIIg body from KEH a few months ago. Got it, was very excited about it, looked through the viewfinder and....didn't like it. It was very difficult to see the entire frame, and much preferred the viewfinder of my IIIf. Sent the IIIg back, and have never thought about buying another one.
 
I always felt that the iiig was so close to the M3 in size that I didn't bother with it. I bought an M2 for the times when I want a bigger body.

I think (not a tech for sure) that the Barnacks lack a shutter damper and thats why they are louder than the M's. My M2 is the softest shutter sound of any of my Rf's that are not leaf shutters. I wear glasses and have no trouble with any of my finders....I have a iiia, iiic, iiic K and a iiif. I love them all!!
 
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