Seduced by the Barnacks

[John Henry]

I have become intrigued by the little Barnack Leicas. I stopped by Photovillage in NYC the other day and got my hands on a IIIf for a few minutes. The viewfinder is small and a bit squinty but the addition of a CV brightline finder can take care of that problem. Still. these cameras are truly ancient so far as mechanical things go and I have read about failures, such things as deteriorated shutter curtains and the disintegration of the balsam cement [?] that holds the rangefinder prism together. I am wondering what might be the worst case scenerio and what it would cost to rehab one of these lovely cameras. I am assuming a CLA but I have little patience with things that require frequent maintainence. My benchmark is my Nikkormat FTn which has performed flawlessly since I bought it used 35 years ago and has required no maintainence at all. I admit that this may be a little unrealistic. JH

 

[dcsang]

Hi John,

The Barnacks are neat aren't they? 🙂

I picked a IIIc up off of Ebay back in mid November and it's been nothing but fun ever since. I believe, because you're in the U.S., that Sherry Krauter at Golden Touch can do the CLA on the cam. I'm not sure how much she charges for the CLA but she is, according to most folks, one of if not the best person in the U.S. for Leica service.

Don't worry about the viewfinder - it's only good for 50mm anyway - the CV 28/35 minifinder is great if you're going to use 35mm and you can always get the 50mm finder which isn't too large for the cam as well.

As long as the shutter curtains are nice, the CLA shouldn't be too bad imho. I was lucky and mine doesn't need service.. even for slow speeds; not bad for a 55 year old camera. So I don't think you're being unrealistic at all. 🙂

Cheers
Dave

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

That camera must be about 70 years old.

A lot depends on how it's been looked after I think.

My father's 111f with 3.5 Elmar still operates perfectly. He takes it out every Sunday morning and uses it, and where he lives isn't especially hot or cold although it does rain a lot. Even so it works just fine.

 

[je2a3]

I've had a IIIf BD for almost 10 years that still takes good pictures and doesn't seem to require a CLA. I haven't encountered separated prisms, the typical problem is a dim RF which requires a new beam splitter mirror which is within the realm of DIY. Cracked curtains are usually due to poor storage conditions. If you get a used Barnack that has been CLA'ed recently with bright VF/RF, I don't think frequent maintenance is an issue.

Anyway good luck with your decision!

 

[Nikon Bob]

If you have the camera in your hand before buying it you can check for most common prblems with old barnacl Leicas. You can check for a slow or sticking shutter by ear, dim or impossible to see VF patch and with a little difficulty check the shutter for pinholes/condition. If you are buying blind these are all a possiblity. As to the cost of a CLA you could contact DAG or Sherry Krauter for a cost estimate and also costs on replacing the beamsplitter and or shutter curtains. My experience with barnack Leicas has been a mixed bag in that dept.. Like any used device that is 50+ years old some maintainance could be expected. Factor the costs of possible needed maintainance in if buying blind and make sure you are able to return the camera before you buy. The Barnack Leicas are interesting and can produce great results but they can also be frustrating for first time users so make really sure that you want one and can put up with their quirks before you get one. I am not putting them down, it is just that they are a very different breed than Nikon SLRs that you are used to.

Bob

 

[dll927]

A look through e-bay etc. will show you that the prices of those old "Barnacks" aren't coming down. Needless to say, anyone who has one to sell thinks it is in "MINT" condition, but that may be debatable. If it's worth it to you (and that you have to decide yourself), the cost of a CLA can be factored into the price. But once that is done, you will probably have a very useable piece of equipment. BTW, Leitz long ago stopped repairing the screw-mount models - I remember the announcement coming out in Pop Photo.

 

[dll927]

Oh yes, one other matter - you will have to learn how to LOAD the damned thing.

 

[doubs43]

As pointed out, it all depends upon a number of factors including how well treated it was in the past. Most functions - as Bob says - can be checked out easily enough. If you don't feel confident in making the checks yourself, have someone you trust do it for you. Then, if you decide to purchase the camera, insist on a warranty that would permit you to return it in the event it has unseen or unexpected problems. Really, though, except for the shutter curtains having pin holes, you should be able to determine the function of everything else easily enough.

As I type this, there's a 1949 IIIc sitting in front of me that is as smooth as the day it left the factory. It shows little use. I paid $225 for the body over a year ago and I've seen IIIc bodies go for less in just the past few days but I couldn't be happier than I am with this one.

A good Leica IIIf is a sweet machine and one in good condition will last many trouble-free years if given proper care.

Walker

 

[Sean Moran]

I was recently given a Barnack Leica: a Leica II. A colleague of mine at the university wanted me to have her late father's camera because she knew that I would have it restored and actually use it.

This kind of work is expensive in the UK, so after new curtains and a new lens (I think the Elmar is just too foggy to clean) the camera will probably cost somewhere in the region of 200GBP - if not more. So what I paid her for it (0) is probably what it is worth in sheer economic terms.

My first project after having it restored will be to do some portraits, using the Leica II of course, of my benefactress and her elderly husband.

Cheers,

Sean.

 

[FrankS]

I think everyone should have one of these little screwmount Leicas tucked into their camera bag. Don't worry that Leica no longer services them as there are scores of camera repair shops around the world that do. If money is tight, you could even send one to Oleg, the FSU camera seller/restorer in the Ukraine(?). His charge for a CLA or a shutter curtain replacement is very reasonable, and one of our RFF members can attest to his good work on a screwmount inherited from his father/grandfather.

 

[RML]

I've been secretly looking at those Leica IIIs recently. Still a bit too dear for me but one day....

 

[john neal]

I have a IIIf RD (1951) that I'm working on (slow speeds are sticky) and I wouldn't have that if I didn't buy a IIIa (1939) and find that the blinds were cracked - it's been away for repair for about 2 months and I miis it so much I had to have one to use.

As to lenses, I have a nice 50mm f3.5 Elmar (1935) and a 50mm f1.9 Serenar (I know, that's heresy, but it's a great lens).

Either one will fit into a decent sized coat pocket and produce outstanding images - it's the fool behind the camera that limits the quality of the results. I'm even learing to use the Sunny 16 rule (slightly modified to Sunny f11 for UK light).

I would think that, providing it has not been maltreated in the past, and gets a CLA every 10 years or so, almost any Barnack should be capable of another 70 years use. Go for it!

[edit] Oh yes - I had to stop myself from buying a sweet little III from a member here last weekend - I just don't have the spare cash due to a GAS induced collapsible 'cron purchase on the video game over the holidays - otherwise I would have three!