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

[coogee]

Could i ask what is a reasonable expectation on a IIIf shutter accuracy?

I’m new to LTM and love the handling of the camera but currently 1/1000 is totally blank and 1/500 is heavily banded.

Is it not possible to have all speeds available on these bodies? 1/1000 i would rarely use (though it’d be nice to have) but 1/500 would be handy. I understand no M/LTM is going to be exact at all speeds.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Could i ask what is a reasonable expectation on a IIIf shutter accuracy?

The IIIf shutter can be as accurate as any correctly functioning M-mount camera. I use my two IIIs at 1/500 and 1/1000 a lot, and have no problems at all (albeit one of them needed the shutters replaced first to bring it up to spec). Your camera needs a CLA.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Your camera is capping at high speed, something that can be corrected with a proper maintenance. I think 1/1000 is probably closer to 1/900, but that is good enough for film work, as long as all the speeds are running in their proper proportion.

 

[coogee]

Thank you both, that’s good to know and what i thought should be thr case. I’ll see what my options are to have it serviced

 

[Rayt]

This thread cost me money. I bought a IIIc converted to IIIf self timer with sharkskin from KEH. What a beauty!

 

[coogee]

The IIIf shutter can be as accurate as any correctly functioning M-mount camera. I use my two IIIs at 1/500 and 1/1000 a lot, and have no problems at all (albeit one of them needed the shutters replaced first to bring it up to spec). Your camera needs a CLA.

The seller (a store) has offered me a replacement or service to bring 1/200 and 1/500 to ‘within half a stop or so’ but no 1/1000 as ‘impossible.’
My other choices are a refund, or to have it serviced elsewhere at my expense.

I’m leaning towards a refund and just starting again for now, the body was $400USD.

 

[jonmanjiro]

The seller (a store) has offered me a replacement or service to bring 1/200 and 1/500 to ‘within half a stop or so’ but no 1/1000 as ‘impossible.’
My other choices are a refund, or to have it serviced elsewhere at my expense.

I’m leaning towards a refund and just starting again for now, the body was $400USD.

no 1/1000 as ‘impossible' ???

Ahhh nope, I don't buy that. Not at all. Not possible without a proper CLA maybe (which the seller doesn't want to fork out for?), but definitely possible. You can find a fully functional IIIf for USD$400 or less. Returning the camera is a no brainer IMO.

 

[d.dulin]

presspass, I can answer your questions regarding the baseplate. The modified coin simply replaces a smaller washer that normally sits in that position. The threaded screw passes through the penny and goes into the open/close lever on the bottom, holding it all together.

Precisely! Worked well.

 

[oldwino]

New member of the family - a 1930 I converted to II with nickel Elmar.
One question - the rangefinder window has the diopter adjustment. When did that become available? Might help pin down the date of conversion, somewhat.
1/20th is sticky, all the other speeds "seem" to be OK. Rangefinder is a bit dim but useable Lens is stiff and hazy.
Off for a CLA!

 

[Dralowid]

Diopter adjustment came along with the III. It looks like yours has the small 'return' on the little lever which suggests post war but pic is a bit to small to say.

Also your engraving is white or whiteish? If so certainly a post war conversion.

A nice variation, please add it to the conversions thread.

 

[Erik van Straten]

the rangefinder window has the diopter adjustment. When did that become available?

The III became available in 1933/1934. From this time on, many Leica I and II were conversed into a III. They kept however their original serial number.

From the picture I would say that the lettering is in Woods metal, if so it is a pre war conversion. Michael is wrong, it has the big diopter-lever. I think it is an early conversion, because later ones have the "D.R.P." mark between "Leica" and "Ernst Leitz". On this camera the "D.R.P." mark is below "Wetzlar". In any case, the black and nickel III is in my opinion the best LTM-Leica ever made. Silky smooth and indestructible.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

I admit my error further compounded by the presence of the larger shutter dial and the round so called 'lavatory bowl' moulding beneath.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I admit my error further compounded by the presence of the larger shutter dial and the round so called 'lavatory bowl' moulding beneath.

Yes, this is actually a II with the rangefinder of a III. The early II has a round housing and a large speed dial. Looks nice, but I guess a small dial is technically better. The III has a small dial. The larger housing of the III is neccessary for the connection with the slow-speed govenor that is located on the bottom of the camera.


Erik.

 

[oldwino]

Yes, this is actually a II with the rangefinder of a III. The early II has a round housing and a large speed dial. Looks nice, but I guess a small dial is technically better. The III has a small dial. The larger housing of the III is neccessary for the connection with the slow-speed govenor that is located on the bottom of the camera.


Erik.

The serial number is 299xx, which puts it as a I originally, but now with a III rangefinder. The lettering is silver-ish, and mostly faint.
So, sort of a II 1/2. 🙂

 

[colker]

These Barnacks make M Leicas look lame.
They are so pretty. So cool. My II looks like a Jules Verne creature... something out of a submarine.

 

[Erik van Straten]

These Barnacks make M Leicas look lame.
They are so pretty. So cool. My II looks like a Jules Verne creature... something out of a submarine.

Yes, and fun to use. I like the Leica IA, it needs a lot of attention, but then you'll have the concentration to see the pictures all around you.

Leica IA (1928), Elmar 50mm f/3.5, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[colker]

Yes, and fun to use. I like the Leica IA, it needs a lot of attention, but then you'll have the concentration to see the pictures all around you.

Leica IA (1928), Elmar 50mm f/3.5, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

I agree on this. The more the camera needs you, the sharper you become.

It´s hard to explain why. Once I read a great studio photographer saying he prefers to advance his fim manually so he can think between shots. He would not use a motor drive.
Once you are in tune it feels like you are controlling time.. that you can decide when things will happen so you shoot. It´s a strange thing, dellusional of course but it works.

Unlike automatic cameras where i feel insecure and at the mercy of the camera.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It´s hard to explain why.

This is a "zen" aspect. Cartier-Bressons favorite book was "The art of archery", by Eugen Herrigel.

Erik.

 

[Richard G]

My IIIf Red Dial again in use more often than my M film cameras.


I wish the new Summaron f5.6 was in screw mount. by Richard, on Flickr

 

[Richard G]

The 4000th Leica II with 11 o'clock Elmar and later case and 1950s hood and finder.


Leica II, 11 o'clock Nickel Elmar, FISON hood, SBOOI finder by Richard, on Flickr