Should I buy a Leica iiig ?

[aoresteen]

I had a IIIg. Very nice camera. I sold it and got a very nice M3 with the proceeds (my second one - sold my 1st one foolishly in 1988). I kept my If and IIIf bodies to use my 15mm & 21mm CV lenses with. No sense wasting an M viewfinder when you have to use an aux finder anyway.

Like others have said, get the M3 - you will never regret it.

 

[leicamshooter]

I've used the IIIG for sometime and find that it is more discreet than an M camera. Maybe it's just me... I've used a Black paint M3, and the IIIG just feels so much lighter. In my opinion the Heliar nickel lenses are perfect on the IIIG. I also use glasses, and while I can see the framelines on my IIIG, i do prefer the IIIG with contacts instead... I do have a 50mm finder that I use sometimes when I'm shooting 400 TX in a crowded area and am using hyperfocal distancing. Very fast camera in someways. You really just gottta borrow one for a week.

ADVOO & IIIG

 

[jsrockit]

Wow, they don't get more beautiful than this...

 

[Vickko]

jsrockit's black IIIg is so breathtakingly beautiful.

To jsrockit - is it a CRR Luton job? Not many places do black painting of IIIg's.

I have a home grown black, hoping to be brassed IIIg. Not nearly as nice.

...Vick

 

[Vickko]

Oops, I thought it was jsrockit's IIIg.

Leicashooter, who did the painting? CRR Luton?

And what sort of strap is that?

Vick

I've used the IIIG for sometime ....

 

[jsrockit]

The strap is... http://www.artisanandartist.com/straps/acam106.htm

 

[leicamshooter]

Yes the strap is from Artisan. It's a silk cord strap, which I find to be very comfortable around the neck in warm weather. Could be considered a bit over the top, however. I'm contemplating purchasing a slim Luigi strap.

The camera was painted by Masa in Japan. He has a pretty quick turnaround, and did a great job on this IIIG.

I strongly feel that if you're shooting a B&W 400 ISO film in street style photography, then the IIIG is pretty quick and very discreet. However, you could make the same argument for many small cameras.

Regards
Gonzalo

 

[jarski]

too bad they didn't have online camera forums back in the day when IIIg and M3 were new. would be interesting to read now reasoning of those who still went Barnack path, even with new and replacing M-system already available. Leica's have been expensive always, just like M9 buyers painfully know now.
on the other hand, decision making and buying experience probably was less independent. brick and mortar type shops with authority handled all the business. so if familiar camera salesman recommended IIIg, there was less looking to other way. photoshopped pic of my IIIg (currently sleeping in storage) 🙂

 

[lawnpotter]

Should I buy a IIIg ?

Should I buy a IIIg ?

The answer is.. well, I dont know if I should have but I did. I am not 100%ready to judge it yet but I wanted to complete this thread. So far, I am not crazy about the viewfinder with my glasses, but for the first time in 25 years I am starting to take pictures again. I love how beautiful the camera looks and I like how it sits in my jacket pocket. I love turning the dials. Today I saw lots of cameras at a camera show but I only wanted to see Barnacks. I have a virus. I need to sell my 40mm Rokkor to by medication( maybe another Barnack or a lens...or two)Thanks for all the feedback in this thread.

 

[lawnpotter]

Actually I should say that I have been taking pictures in the last 25 years but very rarely and with out great interest. But now I am very interested.

 

[jsrockit]

That's all that matters LP... you are having fun.