Please Help!!!

L

lmora16

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Just got my first LTM last week and I LOVE IT! There's just something surreal about it. 🙂

anyways.... i need help... Theres something on the bottom plate of my IIIa and no one that i've spoken to seems to know what it is. I don't like it there, its bulky and i wanna take it off if possible.
Attached is a picture.

PLEASE HELP!

IMG_0018.jpg
 
I'd try unscrewing that big knob, which is threading into the tripod socket as noted above. It may be something to keep the camera steady on some kind of mount.
 
Thanks for the quick response. 🙂
my first instinct was to unscrew the knob but it didnt budge. I even took a pair of pliers to it. I dont want it there and its of no use to me.
 
Looks like a tripod mount alright. If the large screw won't budge there are two possibilities. 1) It's rusted on. That might require a repair tech to remove. Or 2) that smaller chrome bar on the back might be some sort of lock. Try sliding that to see if it releases the large knob.
 
Have you tried moving what appears to be a slider on the side of the attachment and at the same time turning the knob?

Bob
 
I think that if its a tripod mount its rusted on there. I even tried disassembling the slider thing but to no avail. Does anyone know where i could find a bottom plate? hehe
 
What you have is a baseplate modified to internally synch a flash unit that slid on to the dovetail shape runners on the bottom. You won't be able to remove it from the outside. I'm not sure if it can be successfully removed with the baseplate off. It will leave screw hole in the baseplate if nothing else.
 
dlove5 said:
What you have is a baseplate modified to internally synch a flash unit that slid on to the dovetail shape runners on the bottom. You won't be able to remove it from the outside. I'm not sure if it can be successfully removed with the baseplate off. It will leave screw hole in the baseplate if nothing else.
Click to expand...

is it worth removing, or should i just try and look for another baseplate?
 
I think you are better off trying to find a regular baseplate. I located a picture of the type of baseplate you have, and it looks like there are more then just screw holes. The area where the synch contacts are might be messy.
 
any idea where i could find a baseplate? I can learn to live with this thing... but i would really like a baseplate. I know that the IIIc/f plates wouldn't work.
 
I damaged a base plate by dropping my IIIf a while ago and although initially I couldn't seem to find one for less than $60.00 ... I eventually picked one up from evilbay for $30.00 and it was like new. Sometimes with that auction site you have to be patient and wait for the right one to come along.
 
It's a SELSY base plate. The flash gun slides onto it. Like others who've suggested it, you'd probably be better off looking for a new baseplate. Check with Sam Shoshan at Classic Connection www.classicconnection.com . He should probably have one. Or, you could just find the flash gun that slides onto this baseplate and be REALLY impressive!
 
Vince Lupo said:
It's a SELSY base plate. The flash gun slides onto it. Like others who've suggested it, you'd probably be better off looking for a new baseplate. Check with Sam Shoshan at Classic Connection www.classicconnection.com . He should probably have one. Or, you could just find the flash gun that slides onto this baseplate and be REALLY impressive!
Click to expand...

Vince is correct. My Leica IIIa was equipped with one of these, complete with flashgun, when I bought it in 1952. Unfortunately, most of these are suitable for use only with flashbulbs. There was a special model for use with strobe units, but they are rare.

When the units were installed, a slot was milled in the round wheel on the bottom of the shutter speed shaft. You must always be sure that the shutter is released when installing the baseplate, or the pin that engages the slot will be damaged.

I replaced mine with a standard baseplate many years ago.

Jim N.
 
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