Need convincing to buy my first Leica

[tojeem]

I've found a very reasonably priced Leica IIIf that I'm considering buying, but I need a little convincing. It's a lot of money to fork out... is it worth it?

Any Leica love stories, sample photos or good old fashioned camera porn you can share would be much appreciated.

Convince me, RangefinderForum. 😛

 

[Simon Bruxelles]

I realise this isn't what you want to hear but if you have to ask that question the answer is "no". There's nothing magical about a IIIf. A decent photographer will be able to make nice images with an iPhone. In comparison a IIIf is fiddly, slow and uses obsolete technology. Personally I prefer it, but then I generally swim against the tide of technology.

 

[FrankS]

Only you can determine if it is worth it for you. If it is reasonably priced, then buy it and see. If it works for you then you are happy, if it doesn't, just resell it.

 

[jsrockit]

I realise this isn't what you want to hear but if you have to ask that question the answer is "no".

Yep, I agree.

 

[rod64]

If you are posting here then you are already convinced!

 

[zauhar]

What's a 'lot of money'? The IIIf is typically the best bargain for a Leica, from what I have seen.

I probably use my IIIf the most of my three cameras (others are M3 and Canon 7). Nothing fits in the hand better, and with a collapsible lens it will fit in a coat pocket.

Randy

 

[mugent]

Leicas are nice, but they are bought with the heart not the head, as others have said, if you need to be convinced, don't buy it. On the other hand, you could probably sell it for what you bought it for, so the loss is probably minimal.
There are cheaper, better cameras, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

 

[Godfrey]

I've never quite understood the motivation behind postings like this, asking people to convince you of something.

The IIIf is a nice old camera. You like it? Buy it and try it out. If you can't make up your own mind, keep your money in your pocket and wai until you know you want something enough to spend for it.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I've found a very reasonably priced Leica IIIf that I'm considering buying, but I need a little convincing.. .
Convince me, RangefinderForum. 😛

Just buy it and use it for a year. If you don't like it, sell it. This is the freedom you have as a result of finding a camera for "a reasonable price." Rangefinder photography is a niche market for a reason. It is not for everyone. If they were the most sought-after items of desire on the planet, you would not be able to find one for a reasonable price.

There are other ways to parse this: If you are the kind of person who likes learning new pieces of gear and new modes of seeing, buy it. If you want easy, great results, don't.

If you are the kind of person who can accept the limitations of, and enjoy, using a 60 year-old camera, buy it. If you aren't, don't.

I realize this is not much of an argument, but it ain't like a club with a secret handshake, y'know. Good luck with your choice and let us know how it turns out.

Ben Marks

 

[Roger Hicks]

Try 'Leicaphilia', http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/leicaphilia.html

I've been using 'em since 1969 and this may explain why. Even has a picture of my girlfriend from 1969. And another from 1973...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Both of the IIIf bodies that I've owned cost me no more than $100. One needed a complete overhaul with new shutter blinds and beamsplitter. The other needed a CLA. Overall cost for a working camera was less than $250 for both (and both included a 50mm Elmar.)
I got good use out of them but eventually sold both because the finder was not what really worked for me since I wear glasses.
They are great little cameras but take a lot of patience.
The way of shooting is for some and not for others so give it a shot but don't buy one if it's too expensive and if you doubt you'll recoup the price of entry.

Phil Forrest

 

[mani]

uses obsolete technology...

Now I'm dying to know what you put in a IIIf? I always thought it took film??

 

[porktaco]

DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT

 

[rpsawin]

Pick it up and hold it in your hands for awhile. Look through the viewfinder, focus it and trip the shutter. After you have done this a few times the camera will either feel right to you or it won't. And how a camera feels in your hands and the experience you have when you use it will greatly determine how usable it is for you.

I have yet to pick up an M2 that did not feel great in my hands. In fact mine is my favorite camera. I like the screw mount Leicas and respect the as very capable cameras but they just don't feel right to me.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[taemo]

When I first started looking at RF, a friend sold me his QL17 and fell in love with it.
Told him that if I enjoyed shooting it much, I would start looking for a Voigtlander Bessa next.
He then suggested me that I might as well look into a Leica as that would be the top of RF cameras but I just ignored it as back then, I didn't know much about Leica.
I then started exploring different bodies, such as the Yashica 35 GSN, M43 and even NEX + M lens.
I really enjoyed shooting with the NEX7 + 40mm CV however I'm not a fan of EVF and the body was too small that I sold the NEX7 and bought an M6.
It's now one of my favorite cameras.

 

[Livesteamer]

Never. No. No Way. It's the start of a slippery slope that could cost you a lot of money, your house, your wife, but you would have a bunch of Leicas. Seriously, only buy if you are comfortable with it and it would fit your needs. Remember, squinty finder, a pain to load but they can be wonderful. Got a IIIc in my pocket as I type this. Joe

 

[mfogiel]

If you are upgrading from a Brownie or a Zorki, then YES, if you are new to film photography, then NO.

 

[farlymac]

I passed on a IIIf once, because I didn't want to get into that whole "Leica" thing. But after fiddling with a Zorki, I figured, what the heck. Went back to the store to buy the camera, and it was gone. That's $150.00 I was able to spend on stuff I really needed. Yeah, one hundred and fifty bucks. Too bad I live on such a tight budget.

PF

 

[splitimageview]

The only way to know if you will enjoy shooting it, is to shoot it. If the price is such that you can sell it if you don't like it, then pull the trigger.

 

[bwcolor]

After this, will you ask us to convince you to buy a lens for the camera?