I haven't posted in a very long time, but I would like to take this opportunity to give my take on screw mount cameras. I started with a Fed-2 and a Zorki-1, before adding a Leica IIIC to my group. As of now, I still only use Soviet glass. I love all three of these cameras, to death.
However, in my opinion, the learning curve is much steeper than it could have been with a better viewfinder. It took me forever to learn how to focus on the fly with such a dingy, dinky viewfinder on the Soviet cameras. The IIIC was a drastic improvement.
It's really just a matter of learning how to switch from one view, to the other. Odd as it sounds, I just sort of move the camera along my forehead to switch views. The finders are right next to each other, so just do a quick focus (easy on a rangefinder, with practice) and then shift the camera just a hair to get your scene.
Reloading is very daunting at first, but it will become second nature. I bought one of those film cutters on eBay and used it maybe twice. The first time I was walking around and realized I had forgotten to precut my rolls, I never used it again. You will become adept at just cutting the film with a pocket knife or Swiss Army scissors, on the fly. I remember that someone used to just use uncut film and a playing card to insert film, with no problems. I never had the cajones to try that and I honestly can't recommend it.
If you haven't already, familiarize yourself with Sunny-16, now. Print out a little card with all of the basic f-stop and shutter changes for a range of variables, to get you started. Refer to it whenever you aren't sure what you're looking at and what you need to set your camera to. Before you know it, you'll be making snap changes, as you go, with an accuracy within 1 stop or so. I understand that slide film is more forgiving for this, but I haven't tried that either.
Is the camera more trouble than it's worth? Oh absolutely. Without a doubt. In an age when there are cameras that switch their focus based on where your eyeball is looking, why would you bother with something that requires this much hands on user interpretation to use?
But ask yourself, do I need the gizmos? Do I need the meters and the auto-focus? Should I run headlong into a digital age that has yet to even explain itself or sort out it's own needs yet? Give the camera a few weeks. You'll find the finest mechanical photographic device ever made slides right inside your pants pocket. This is a camera that you can always have with you, with ease.
If you make your living as a portrait photographer or a photojournalist, then no, this camera is probably not the best thing to have in your hand when on assignment. Even then, only because of the expectations placed upon the profession. These cameras are all about the journey. Do they deliver the goods, at the end of the day? Ask HCB. 😉
If you really want to have some fun, get your hands on an old VIDOM viewfinder. Rotate the eyepiece for a good upside-down and backwards view and go blow a few rolls of black and white. Nothing better for teaching your mind how to break away from the scene and look at the form.
I've recently sold my IIIC and my VIDOM. The IIIC, I don't regret so much, because the sale was neccessary to fund an M3. Not the most neccessary purchase in the world, but something about the M3 just eats at me. It's the most beautiful camera I have ever seen and my lust for them has gone on for too long. Now the VIDOM...I miss that in the worst way. I need to find another one.
I have no idea if any of this helped you, but I hope that it does. The IIIF is an amazing camera. Trust it and you will have many more good times taking photos, than you ever thought that you could.
