Reversed engineering, IIIf to If, possible?

[Ko.Fe.]

I have IIIf from 1953 with s/n starting by 666. 😱
It came to me very cheap for sad reason. No RF/VF back eyepiece lenses and inner parts of RF/VF seems to be not good as well. Yet, all speeds are working and curtains are still OK.

I could use it just as is for sure (tested with film), but I wanted for sometime the I series camera to have small camera with build and handling I like for wide angle lenses, which I also like to be small (I have Jupiter-12, Orion-15 and thinking of Skopar 21 LTM)

Question. Is it easy to convert IIIf to If? I know the opposite was done by Leica. But can't find info for doing it in reverse.

Is it possible to convert IIIf to If just by replacing top plate and keeping IIIf shutter speeds dials on the top and on the front?

 

[B-9]

Short answer is No.

You will need a 1F top plate with its respective "dog bowl" to cover the fast speed mechanism. I think DAG has the bowl available and eBay could have a top for you.

With the right pieces it could be done relatively easy but it will require a fair amount of free time... winter project!

You will basically be breaking the camera down into individual pieces

 

[02Pilot]

I think if I was going to undertake such a project on a cheap, broken camera, I'd be inclined to reuse as much as I could, modifying it as I go. This approach would be easier on a pre-IIIc model, of course, but a Dremel, torch, solder, drill, and some sheet brass could get there eventually. It's really just removing the RF/VF block and closing up the top plate, plus protecting the speed selector shaft. Come to think of it, I might need to try this. 😉

 

[Mr_Flibble]

IIIf to IIf is possible, though for a later model IIf you'll need a slow speed escapement for the 1/25th of a second 😛

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

This!
I made a "Zorki Standard" and I only had to make the cover for the speed assy. I used copper because I had it.
I think on the F the 1/20th is up top on the main speed assy.
It would be a shame to have to leave all that low speed stuff in there for just the 1/20.

I think if I was going to undertake such a project on a cheap, broken camera, I'd be inclined to reuse as much as I could, modifying it as I go. This approach would be easier on a pre-IIIc model, of course, but a Dremel, torch, solder, drill, and some sheet brass could get there eventually. It's really just removing the RF/VF block and closing up the top plate, plus protecting the speed selector shaft. Come to think of it, I might need to try this. 😉

 

[xayraa33]

Why not just buy the needed parts and restore the IIIf to functioning condition.

There are a few sellers on Ebay that might have the parts you need if you are patient .

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is good theoretically. On practice, no such parts are available.
Here is 2012 thread on RFF which already draw this conclusion.
Not surprising. Make part from plastic and it will fall sooner or later. And another Leica dessision was not to make replacement lenses.
On practice "parts" means another camera where those lenses are still present. Plastic part itself which is causing this trouble is nine dollars. Here is one and only unknown seller who has listed those two lenses for 120$. But I'm not confident what those are not correction lenses, which are abailible for less. Nor I want to pay this much...

 

[aoresteen]

Send it to Don DAG and get his opinion. He will let you know the cost to repair to IIIF or convert to 1F.

 

[rbiemer]

Ko.Fe.
You might find this thread interesting:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32552

Gordon started from a bit different place but the ensuing discussion and photos should help you if you decide to do this.

Rob

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thank you, Rob. I have working Zorki with most clean RF/VF optics I ever seen 🙂
But thread you have mentioned is helping for sure!

 

[Rob-F]

One challenge is to find a replacement cover that covers over the slow speed dial hole. I looked at Cameraleather and Aki Asaki. I don't see one for the Standard or the If. Cameraleather has one for the IIf, but I'm sure it will have a cutout for the blank plate that fills the unused hole. So you would need that little cover plate, and it won't look exactly like a Standard.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm not into this challenge at all, in OP last line I wrote it. 🙂

 

[Rob-F]

OK, right, you want to leave the front dial in place. It will be one of a kind, then, a If with a slow speed dial!

Assuming a lot of If to IIIf conversions were done, there must be a lot of If top plates laying around someplace!