Leica LTM New to RF Forum...Leica IIIc owner!

[super8mm]

WOW. I can't believe I can finally participate in a Leica forum! Ha. All those years of being a Nikon guy (still am) and now I can enjoy my first Leica.

I picked it up from a RF Forum fellow I met offline so it was a natural to come check out the postings here...in fact, thanks to this forum, I sent my camera in to DAG (that's the right name, correct?) and had it serviced (CLA) with 2 new curtains and a new RF mirror to help actually see the two images. Seems to work like a charm (though it did before but it had pinholes in the curtains). I added the 15mm Heliar which seems to spoil me in tight everyday situations.

I am also into super 8mm cameras and film but I shall leave that for another forum! In case you are curious, you can find out more my googling "super 8mm" and typically I am the number one choice...duking it out with Kodak every day! HA!

So, again, many thanks for folks on this forum who talked about where to get a Leica (almost said Leicina) serviced. DAG was fantastic.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[xayraa33]

She is a beauty Mike, that new rf mirror will help in focusing the 50mm lens.
put that camera to good use.

 

[John Shriver]

Looks like you have a really nice uncoated Summitar there, enjoy it. Charming lens.

 

[like2fiddle]

Welcome Mike,
You're going to like that Summitar especially in B&W!

 

[Film dino]

Welcome...I'm always surprised how well VC lenses mate with LTM bodies in terms of appearance. It would be interesting to see if your Summitar shows field curvature- mine does.
David

 

[super8mm]

thanks...

thanks...

Here's a shot with Ilford HP5 400ASA with the 15mm. The spots are from the holes in the curtains. This was before the CLA by DAG. I accidentally processed the negative with +80F developer (D76) in my forgetting to control that temperature...so it came out really contrasty - I did cut the time to about 4 minutes. Fun nonetheless.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[super8mm]

Welcome...I'm always surprised how well VC lenses mate with LTM bodies in terms of appearance. It would be interesting to see if your Summitar shows field curvature- mine does.
David

I am looking forward to some results from that lens...I only got two good shots from my first roll when I discovered the holes. Both were with the 15mm.

I'll post pics when I process my next batch of film...

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Rob-F]

Mike: I have a IIIc with exactly the same predicament. Very pretty, and the shutter speeds are pretty good, but the curtain has pinholes. I found out when I developed my negative. Another IIIc of mine is being repaired right now by John Maddox--my first try with John.

So, how much did DAG charge for this work? He's done other work for me, on M models, but never on a Barnack. I'd like to get a rough idea of how he compares to John. And there's also Youxin Ye to check out. Has anyone had any work done by him?

 

[super8mm]

I believe I paid about $365 when all was said and done...included two curtains and the RF mirror and a full CLA. He even repaired a bit of the leather that I had not specified (in a good way I am saying - I was happy with the tiny corner missing but like any good repairman, he went above and beyond the call of duty.

Best,
Mike

 

[Rob-F]

Wow! Hope mine comes out a little cheaper! Thanks for the info, Mike.

Rob

 

[Rob-F]

My new/old IIIc just came back from a CLA by John Maddox. I will load it up and shoot in the morning, and we will see how it goes. Looks and sounds great, so that's a good sign! Finders are nice and clean and clear. I haven't got the bill yet.

Later . . .