Leica LTM Show off your Leica I/II/III/LTM Camera

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Posting this here, since I don't see a "Let's See Your LTM Clone" thread elsewhere...

I always wanted to play both side of the fence (I already have a Nikon RF) so I popped for a nice Tower 45 recently. Eventually I'll find a Nikkor LTM 50 for it but until I do, this Canon will do the job admirably. Ran a quick roll of color prints through it, which I'll get developed tomorrow. It sounds good, so hopefully all comes out all right and there are no light leaks. It feels real solid. These cameras are heavy!

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Two IIIs, kinda

Two IIIs, kinda

Bought a IIIa on a whim a few weeks ago, and it seemed lonely so I also got a IIIasync.

1 roll has gone through the IIIa with mixed results (slow speeds are off, no surprise) Haven't tried the sync yet, although it does fire a flash.

I'd be interested in any thoughts on these. The IIIa has the viewfinder window shape that the Family Tree shows on IIs and IIIs but not on IIIas. Is this a II with added 1000 speed? Or a IIIa with an older top-plate? The serial number seems to be for a IIIa of 1935.

The sync conversion does have the IIIa style window from the Family Tree and the serial number is for a IIIa of 1937 It seems to have had a much easier life than its slightly older sibling. The sync numbers are black, which I suppose means that the upgrade was done in the early 1950s

The finish on the top plates seem different—nickel vs chrome?

Best Regards,
Keith
 

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Keith,

The IIIa is correct, it should have separate vf/rf windows like a III. The IIIb is the first model to bring them close together.

There were some variations in chrome but no nickel plated cameras that I am aware of.

Note the higher top housing on the conversion with the shoe standing slightly proud.

Michael
 
Something from the cupboard, haven't used the 90mm for an age...

IMG_2701 by dralowid, on Flickr

34mm hood from that Ebay seller...was he 'Jack the hat' or somesuch?
90mm Elmar
III
Nicely made 90mm viewfinder by Swallow who I think later became Accura?

...and a dose of unintended softness...
 
Leica IIIc taken with Leica IIIb and Summitar / AutoUp

Leica IIIc taken with Leica IIIb and Summitar / AutoUp

Leica IIIc with a Jupiter 12 taken with Leica IIIb and Summitar / AutoUp. Tri-X developed in LegacyPro L-110 dilution E

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It's a French Army magazine bag for the FM 24/29 Light machine gun from the 1950s. Picked it up on Ebay (seller Lemonrags), after someone else here on the forum bought one a few weeks back 😉
Took a bit of work to get the leather liner back into shape.
 
My Leica III Model F, with its 3 original Lenses

My Leica III Model F, with its 3 original Lenses

Sorry, haven't figured out the URL way to upload so will go with the attachment method for now...
 

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Just finished restoring this 1938 IIIa with 1937 Summar. The kit came to me in a sorry state: vulcanite half gone, everything dirty and stiff, Summar filthy and scratched all to hell. There's still a few bumps and scratches in the body from a drop at some point in its life, but I gave it a CLA (curtains were still good), cleaned and hand polished the Summar, put on a new body covering from Hugo Studio, and it's good to go.

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Red? Black?

Red? Black?

HuubL,

I have just checked, and the numbers on the shutter speed dial really are black. There is a set of red numbers engraved on the body below the dial, surrounding it. I don't know what they do. Can you help?
 
Those are for setting the flash delay, and it is their colour that is referenced in the BD/RD nomenclature. With a speedlight, set to 0 at 1/25 or 20 at 1/50 with your RD. With BD Leicas it is 2 at 1/30, if I remember right (which is quite ironic, as my IIIc/f is BD).
 
Thanks for the correction

Thanks for the correction

Those are for setting the flash delay, and it is their colour that is referenced in the BD/RD nomenclature. With a speedlight, set to 0 at 1/25 or 20 at 1/50 with your RD. With BD Leicas it is 2 at 1/30, if I remember right (which is quite ironic, as my IIIc/f is BD).


Many thanks for this info. I had assumed the the RD/BD referred to the engraving on the shutter speed dial itself. I guess I will really have to start learning about Leica, or someone from Wetzler will come and take away my toy. 😱
 
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