Reducing weight of Barnack combo

[DavidC]

I've gravitated to a Leica IIIa with Summar lens for casual shoots but after lugging it all day still feel the oufit could be lightened with a lighter lens. Any suggestions?

 

[Godfrey]

You could save three ounces, approx, by switching from the Summar 5.0cm f/2 to an Elmar 5.0cm f/3.5. When I am carrying the IIIc bandolier style, I often forget its there. But it's still a dense little mechanical thing.

G

 

[raydm6]

Sounds like you may need to move to a fixed 3rd-party lens (non-retractable with less elements) where the center of gravity (CoG) is closer to the camera body?

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Get an RB67, carry it around for a week, and then you'll appreciate what a featherweight the Barnack is. Plus, you'll get jacked! 😉

 

[Ororaro]

Leica II with elmar… unbeatable and seemless

 

[splitimageview]

~177 grams vs about ~111 grams for a collapsible Elmar. (As measured by Ken Rockwell.)

66g is the weight of about three rolls of film.

Is that really that much to ‘lug?’ 🙂

 

[raydm6]

Get an RB67, carry it around for a week, and then you'll appreciate what a featherweight the Barnack is. Plus, you'll get jacked! 😉

I have one (and the hand grip)! You’re right!

Size comparison w/the Barnack: 😁

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I have one (and the hand grip)! You’re right!

Size comparison w/the Barnack: 😁
View attachment 4844609

What, no neck strap?

 

[hap]

I'm still waiting for a reasonable priced MS Optics Aporia 24. fortunately, I'm sort of patient.

 

[shawn]

I have one (and the hand grip)! You’re right!

Size comparison w/the Barnack: 😁
View attachment 4844609

The Mamiya is a nice mid-sized option..... 😉

 

[Retro-Grouch]

The Mamiya is a nice mid-sized option..... 😉

I guess, compared to your Fuji behemoth!

 

[Richard G]

Godfrey is right: the IIIs are very dense. They’re made for the Elmar 50 3.5. Agree on the Leica II. No strap lugs. Very small and light.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I'm still waiting for a reasonable priced MS Optics Aporia 24. fortunately, I'm sort of patient.

There is the 28mm f/6 Orion 15 from the FSU. A sharp, tiny gem, but slow.

 

[shawn]

I guess, compared to your Fuji behemoth!

For scale... there is a Barnack in this picture.....

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Summar is already light f2 lens. If you don't need f2, you could get Elmar f3.5. Or Industar-10.

But if weight is the problem. New Rollei 35 AF is 242 grams.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

There is the 28mm f/6 Orion 15 from the FSU. A sharp, tiny gem, but slow.

Snapshot Skopar. 25/4.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

For scale... there is a Barnack in this picture.....

I think I can guess how that poor Barnack feels...

 

[shawn]

Pretty much!

It actually isn't touching it.. but just barely.

 

[Godfrey]

I'm still waiting for a reasonable priced MS Optics Aporia 24. fortunately, I'm sort of patient.

Um, I have one...

The MS-Optics Aporia 24mm is an M-bayonet lens. It would be difficult to convert it to LTM! LTM mount registration is ~28mm, M-bayonet is ~29mm: this is why you can fit a 1mm thick mount adapter to put LTM on M-bayonet. The Aporia 24mm lens mount is so thin there's not much metal that would allow you to remove the M-bayonet and then add an LTM thread, like there would be on most other lenses.

I'd thought about that as a solution, but unless you can get them to issue a version of the lens with an LTM mount, it's likely not practical. Of course, it also means your IIIa would have a 24mm wide angle lens, and you'll need a 24mm viewfinder for framing.

G

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I like the one about the 25/4 skopar. Hope one of Artisans group will come up with a ltm 28mm that is light and small in the future.