Leica LTM Oh dear, the Barnack bug almost bit me

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
custom IIIf by cameraworks-uk.com, grip by metro-case.com

barnack_front2.jpg
 
This is one of my favorite threads to visit. Right now my Nicca S3 with my 50 elmar has kept me satisfied. Being broke & needing a new set of tires helps.😂
 
;-)

;-)

CharlesDAMorgan said:
Snip! ...I think a clone of the same size as a Barnack would be interesting, but what struck me so much was the lovely size of the III with Elmar - just nicely pocket sized.
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You see, the bug for a USSR made variation has bitten again but I won't be saying I told you so...

Regards, David
 
This thread is tempting especially with the beautiful examples posted.

I have two IIIf's (one w/Summitar & other w/collapsible 'Cron) but am itching to get a Black Enamel/Nickel II or III with an Elmar and perhaps a Black/NICKEL VIDOM or VIOOH just because it looks so cool... :cool:


Leica IIIf RD w/Summitar by rdc154, on Flickr
 
Erik van Straten said:
Black and Nickel VIOOH's do not exist afaik...
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Thanks for the correction Erik. It was an assumption on my part. Looks like they are chrome.

I do have two late version Silver SBOOI's with the grip grooves on each IIIf and love them to bits. I have never seen the black version. I believe you posted a photo of it in the past.

Would you recommend a Black III over the II? I get confused with serial numbers and have seen III's with lower serial numbers than the II at times if I recall correctly but maybe the III's were converted II's.
 
In those early years many conversions were made. Every camera kept its original number. I certainly recommend a III over the II if you want to use the camera. Usually the II's are very pretty, because they were rarely used. The III was much more a professional camera: the "long" times and the rangefinder with a magnification of 1,5 were very useful. The strap lugs of the III are nice when you want to use a strap to carry the camera. The III is usually smoother too.

Good luck!

Erik.
 
Apologies if this is a seriously dumb question, with which models can you use modern film capsules, and is there a mod for the older ones that used the Leica capsules?
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
Apologies if this is a seriously dumb question, with which models can you use modern film capsules, and is there a mod for the older ones that used the Leica capsules?
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They all take modern film cassettes right off the bat, no modification necessary.

1) The very early cameras had a bottom plate that required a Leica/Agfa KASAM cassette. This is a type of metal cassette that resembles the modern ones in outer dimensions, but it was reloadable.

2) The next generation had a bottom plate that could unlock the FILCA. The FILCA was a Leitz cassette that had a spring lock along the side of the cassette, and the bottom plate lock needed a small provision that forces the spring away from the cassette when you mount the bottom plate, so that the bottom plate lock could rotate the cassette to open position.

3) When the M type Leicas came, the updated version of this cassette was the IXMOO, it resembles the previous type but is a few millimeters taller and cannot be used in the screw mount Leicas.

But, both the Barnack and M type Leicas can all take modern cassettes!
 
Hi,

Here's an original 1920's Leitz cassette with a modern one beside it; they are lined up so that the films could run from one spool to the other:-

Cassettes%20-%202-L.jpg


As you can see, there's a bit of padding needed both ends. Some use homemade card washers and one or two have suggested felt self adhesive corn plasters(!) and others have suggested a mod. to the camera with a washer or two to raise the bottom of the cassette. If that's not obvious, here's a similar photo but with a more modern Leica cassette:-

Cassettes-2-L.jpg


A minor aside; fake Leicas, meaning made from 1950's FED cameras will not take a FILCA and they jam as you try to put them in. That's a good acid test for a fake, btw...

And, just remembered, the pre-war Agfa disposable ones are slightly shorter than the Filca's and the pre-war Perutz are a fraction shorter than the standard modern cassettes. To add to the fun, you'll find the names of some of the cassettes change over the years in books but not in Leica's catalogues...

Regards, David
 
Ah yes, if you want to make sure all images are in line with the sprocket holes, you might need the cardboard washer indeed, but that's about as far as adapting goes... Thanks David
 
I have found a standard cassette fits but can drop and possibly intrude into the negative. I fixed it using a thin M6 stainless steel washer (the thin washer is about 0.9mm thick I think). I attached it to the baseplate using BluTac. I squashed it down and trimmed off the excess. Provided the film wind does not 'bind' enough clearance remains. The washer has never moved and my negatives are nicely centred between the sprockets.
 
An interesting fact is that the format of the negative-window of my earliest camera (No 6535) is bigger than that of the later cameras: 37.3mm x 24.5mm. The space between the negatives is only about 0.5mm, so it is very difficult to cut them without cutting into the image. Has anybody an idea how I can cut them without cutting into the image?

Erik.
 
Erik van Straten said:
An interesing fact is that the format of the negative-window of my earliest camera (No 6535) is bigger than that of the later cameras: 37.3mm x 24.5mm. The space between the negatives is only about 0.5mm, so it is very difficult to cut them without cutting into the image. Has anybody an idea how I can cut them without cutting into the image?

Erik.
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No solution at my end Erik, but i noticed the same thing...
 
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