M shooter plays with a iiif

[sepiareverb]

Just got a deal on a iiif (thanks Mark) and have managed to get some film in it and make a few frames. This is one fun camera. Love the tiny size, and the mechanics.

Getting the film loaded took me two tries, but makes sense now. Managed to figure out the shutter speed dials, and even the RF zoom (what M shooter hasn't wished for that every now and again?). The Synchro adjust was a little confusor, but I'm not going near flash with this guy.

Big fun will be had this weekend with this little gem.

 

[aad]

Hah! Now you'll wonder why anyone bothers with those new-fangled M things.

 

[cmedin]

I gotta ask... RF zoom?

 

[FrankS]

Maybe the adjustable eyepiece diopter?

 

[brachal]

I gotta ask... RF zoom?

I believe he's refering to what the manual describes as the "rangefinder telescope adjustment."

 

[sepiareverb]

I believe he's refering to what the manual describes as the "rangefinder telescope adjustment."

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding.

Neat little thing that.

 

[foto_fool]

Ha! The force is strong with this one!

After I picked up a IIIf my M bodies whimpered and whined that they didn't get any love for four months. Things are a little more equitable these days, but the little old Leica that could is pretty addictive.

 

[sepiareverb]

...the little old Leica that could is pretty addictive.

Isn't it though? Very, very fun indeed. We'll see how I settle into loading it.😛

 

[marke]

Congrats! I picked up a IIIf RD with a coated Summitar a few months ago. The small size is very nice. And I know what you mean about the RF zoom! Wouldn't that be cool to have on an M?!!!

 

[cmedin]

Isn't it though? Very, very fun indeed. We'll see how I settle into loading it.😛

It won't be bad, honestly. The key--for me--is to load it with a decent light illuminating the little gear teeth so I can verify that the film pops on the sprocket OK. I do cut the film (21 sprocket holes) but that only takes a few seconds. Works well both in my III and my IIf RD. 🙂

Thanks for inspiring me, I need to bust the III out this weekend -- have a 90/4 Elmar on it with an unknown brand Japanese finder on it and it's a lovely combo.

 

[vrgard]

As much as I've steered clear of the little buggers (simply because I already have too many cameras to play with - heresy, I know), you guys are sure making me want to give one a try...

-Randy

 

[sepiareverb]

I didn't cut the film for the first attempt, then had to because there was some tearout on sprocket holes and wrinkling. But I cut it same as film comes in the cassette. Loaded fine and rewind turns with every wind-on, no horrible tearing noises or tension in the wind-on.

 

[Solinar]

The sync dial which delayed the shutter relative to firing the flash was deleted on the IIIg. On the IIIf - the dial - when used magnesium single use flash bulbs allow you use faster than the normal synch speeds.

The sync dial numbers for the IIIf BD are listed below each shutter speed for two types of magnesium flash bulbs.

Film ******** Kodak Plus X - ASA 40 - Pre 1960
Shutter Speed **** 1/30 **** 1/40 ***** 1/60 ***** 1/100 ***** 1/200 ***** 1/500 ***** 1/1000
GE 50 ************* 19 ******* 14 ****** 9.5 ******* 7 ******* 5.5 ****** - not applicable -
GE 5 **************** 16 ******* 11 ******* 8 ********* 5.5 ****** 4 *********** 3.5 ******* 2

With a modern electronic flash the Black Dial syncs at 1/30 th of a second or slower with the sync delay set to 2.

The Red Dial is a bit different is a bit different.

- at 1/25th or slower - the dial for the delay is set to 0
- for 1/50th of second only - set the delay to 20.

 

[Solinar]

An actual table for flash bulbs looks something like this one for the IIIf RD.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Yes!!! Barnack Cameras are the absolute best I have ever used. I just got my second one and I love the new IIIf as much as my IIIc. When they are set up right there is nothing more fun. Not bad for cameras made in 1949!!

Ray

 

[shadowfox]

The "zoom" is the 1.5x magnification on the rangefinder, yes?

If that's the case, I've been wondering why didn't this made it into the M-bodies, it makes focusing so much easier.

Come to think about it my other favorite RF also has it, the old Bessa RF. How about that...

... and oh, as you described, just cut the film leader, it ain't worth fighting the design. 😀

 

[sepiareverb]

1.5x magnification, correct shadowfox. I guess it would mess with the framelines too much in an M VF?

Well the age appropriate collapsible Summicron arrived today (thanks John) and now the thing looks right. Waiting for the weather to cooperate with my shooting desires...

 

[visiondr]

I guess I just don't get what all the fuss is about. Small is very nice, don't get me wrong. But it just sounds like a lot of hassle and fussing around to use a Barnack Leica. Are there REAL PHOTOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGES aside from size. Fun, maybe. Kind of like a saucy redhead. But, not a life partner.

 

[sepiareverb]

This is my quest Ron. I guess I'm of that age and already have the saucy redhead.

 

[foto_fool]

They are kinda like hand-cranking ice cream, or rowing a boat...