Leica LTM Should I sell my IIIc stepper?

[Bingley]

I would think about whether you could work it into your wedding photog business. I have a IIIc. I got it CLA'd, w/ a new beamsplitter, and it was a completely different camera. MUCH easier and quicker to focus. With a classic 50 like a Summitar or a collapsible 'chron, it would work for more formal portraits, while your M6 can capture the action.

 

[LeicaTom]

I would agree with Steve, I use my 45' Leica IIIC K's almost everyday, freshly CLA'd and ready to go these era cameras are some of the BEST that Leica ever produced, quick to focus with a LTM Sonnar or a Elmar they are amazing portait takers, and I just don`t say that while I'm fond of them......

Thanks

Tom

PS: I don't own my FIRST Leica anymore.....but I DO still own my FIRST "stepper" camera which is a very rare "new bearing" 1946 one, that's almost mint, came with it's original Black case, Elmar 50 and will shortly have a mint vulcanite shell with Leitz lug rings and will be looking as good as the day it left the US Army PX ~ 64 years ago......

 

[EcoLeica]

Hi Tom, ill get back to you with some photos soon...as for the serial number it is 394377

 

[Doug]

Please avoid buy/sell offers and negotiations in the forums. This is better handled by PM. Note also that RFF has a Classifieds section for sales. Thanks! 🙂

Edit: Not a good idea to post one's email address in clear form...

 

[EcoLeica]

right oh..my bad 🙂

 

[bgb]

Sorry Doug 🙂

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Never attach to your gear, its not worth it. I experienced that using a lot of different gear provides the most satisfaction. And although some here state that the steppers are rare, I don't agree. Most Leicas are not rare at all, only expensive, but that is something else. Most Leica's even the ones that are considered very rare, show up quite regularly on the internet (before the internet market they were indeed more rare).
Have a nice sale.

 

[LeicaTom]

Hi Tom, ill get back to you with some photos soon...as for the serial number it is 394377

Thanks, that's all I wanted to know is the serial number, so I could help you with the production info's ~ you have a late 1945 "new bearing" camera, they were the end of the production of the series one style Leica IIIC, it's a collectors item and a survivor, (most of these postwar IIIC's were used to junk) , so if it's in good shape it's a prize, I would consider keeping it 😀 ~ the market for them is climbing well, they are'nt cheap anymore, and the 1945/6 issues are some of the hardest to find.......

Tom

 

[batterytypehah!]

Please avoid buy/sell offers and negotiations in the forums. This is better handled by PM. Note also that RFF has a Classifieds section for sales. Thanks! 🙂

Edit: Not a good idea to post one's email address in clear form...

Doug, your edits still show up in the small print "reason for editing" so that's not any better I'd venture...

 

[John Lawrence]

My philosophy is if I'm not using a camera and have no sentimental attachment to it, then I should sell it and put the money towards something I would use.

John

 

[dexdog]

I would sell the camera- you can always buy another one later, if so inclined. Sounds like a much better idea to direct the money to something that you can really use.

 

[Doug]

Doug, your edits still show up in the small print "reason for editing" so that's not any better I'd venture...

Thanks, you're right!

 

[EcoLeica]

Tom, what does 'new bearing' refer to?

 

[LeicaTom]

Tom, what does 'new bearing' refer to?

Your camera is a postwar "new" bearings camera, with updated bearing set up, very similar to the future Leica IIIF.
Some 1945 and all 1946 (postwar "stepper's") had these new sets of bearings after the last IIIC K Grey's were issued. (please note my signature, I own two of them, in the last production series #397xxx ~ April/May 1946)

What you have is a unique camera, that is not all that common and is one of the rarer issued Leica IIIC's (they made tons of Red Curtain's in WW2, and postwar #400xxx + cameras) but the postwar "stepper" is the best of the best of the series.

If you don't use it, then I would consider selling it, final sales price depends greatly on condition and if the original issued lens is with the camera, these cameras do command a premium compared to normal "flat top" Leica IIIC's, and also being "down under" at the other side of the world, I would consider these cameras to be quite a rarity in your country.

About 97% or all these era cameras were issued directly to US Army personnel, it would be interesting to lean how your camera made it way down there.......?

I bought a few cameras from the Hawaiian Islands (stepper's) a few years back, many ended up in hands of US Army Air Force and US Navy servicemen and women, stationed at Hickham Field and Pearl Harbor.

Enjoy!

Tom

 

[bgb]

I'm impressed with your knowledge Tom
There were plenty of US troops here during WW2 preparing for the battles in the Pacific. Some may have stayed here for sometime after the war and some came back to collect their Kiwi girlfriends .... my Grandmother's little sister married a US Marine. I'm sure given enough time and some beer we could come up with some really good 'stories'
Seems that you will be able to buy a new lens with the proceeds of the sale Steve, amazing luck for you

 

[EcoLeica]

The camera came in a ratty waltz case (long since gone) but in the back of the case was the original owners card from the importers, Ill have to dig it up sometime and scan it for you Tom. I wouldn't consider it in mint condition (it was definitely a user camera) but it is still lovely. Strangely enough it has a strange flash modification I showed a long time ago http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25587&highlight=ecoleica

 

[LeicaTom]

The camera came in a ratty waltz case (long since gone) but in the back of the case was the original owners card from the importers, Ill have to dig it up sometime and scan it for you Tom. I wouldn't consider it in mint condition (it was definitely a user camera) but it is still lovely. Strangely enough it has a strange flash modification I showed a long time ago http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25587&highlight=ecoleica

That's a pretty crazy looking Flash Mod........I honestly have never seen anything like that before, almost looks like something the factory would do with a "in house" betriebscamera, one that they would, modify, cut, machine, dril on etc.

I don't think it's a factory mod, but it's strange whatever it is.......the camera could still be a great user, but with that mod, the collectors value is drastity changed.

Tom

 

[bgb]

Greetings EcoLeica.
On what is a wet and cold Queen's birthday weekend .... typical huh?
Did you decide to sell the Leica and if so is it on the rff classifieds or are you going to try Trade Me? Or did you decide to keep it?
Brian

 

[chris00nj]

My philosophy is if I'm not using a camera and have no sentimental attachment to it, then I should sell it and put the money towards something I would use.

John

+1 to that. Just because it's your first, doesn't mean its sentimental.



What exactly makes a IIIc a "stepper"?

 

[splitimageview]

What exactly makes a IIIc a "stepper"?

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...a/66944-iiic-stepper-question.html#post693915