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

[Ambro51]

??????? Why then does the FOV match between a Model 1A, Leica III, Vidom set at 50mm and the viewfinder of a B&H Foton???? Sorry not believing for 1 second Barnack would put a 35mm Finder on a Camera with a fixed 50mm lens.

 

[carbo73]

??????? Why then does the FOV match between a Model 1A, Leica III, Vidom set at 50mm and the viewfinder of a B&H Foton???? Sorry not believing for 1 second Barnack would put a 35mm Finder on a Camera with a fixed 50mm lens.

Yes, I've just compared my Leica I(A) and my Leica IIIb viewfinders and they look exactly the same to me. It makes no sense, specially for the fixed 50mm in the A!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Sorry not believing for 1 second Barnack would put a 35mm Finder on a Camera with a fixed 50mm lens.

I don't believe that either because I know it is what he did. I have three Leica I A cameras (one 1928 model and two 1930 models) and one Leica I C camera and all have the same viewfinder. All these viewfinders show the viewing angle of a 35mm lens.

Another proof is the comparison with the early WEISU I have. The WEISU is the "official" early 35mm viewfinder from Leitz. This viewfinder shows exactly the same angle of view as the viewfinders that are mounted on the previously mentioned cameras.
The third proof is the comparison with the viewfinder of an early Leica II or Leica III camera. These cameras - I have three of them - show the correct viewing angle for a 50mm lens.

The last proof I have is the comment of Henri Cartier-Bresson - the most famous early Leica user - on the viewfinder of the Leica I A: "I see nothing through this thing" and so he mounted an early Vidom on his Leica I A.


Erik.

 

[haempe]

Yes, I've just compared my Leica I(A) and my Leica IIIb viewfinders and they look exactly the same to me. It makes no sense, specially for the fixed 50mm in the A!

The IIIb viewfinder is a bit strange too.
While the viewfinder of my III brings a (nearly) 5cm angle of view, my IIIb has a wider angle, something 40ish.
I've learned that the hard way, some first rolls with cut off heads from the IIIb because I was used to the III viewfinder...

 

[Erik van Straten]

The IIIb viewfinder is a bit strange too.
While the viewfinder of my III brings a (nearly) 5cm angle of view, my IIIb has a wider angle, something 40ish.
I've learned that the hard way, some first rolls with cut off heads from the IIIb because I was used to the III viewfinder...

Good to know; I never liked the IIIb because there was no black version. The same for the IIIc, IIId, IIIf and IIIg.

Erik.

 

[haempe]

Good to know; I never liked the IIIb because there was no black version. The same for the IIIc, IIId, IIIf and IIIg.

Erik.

Yes, the lack of black is a problem ... 😉
But I really enjoy the twin eyepiece, which is very convenient compared to the III.

 

[shawn]

??????? Why then does the FOV match between a Model 1A, Leica III, Vidom set at 50mm and the viewfinder of a B&H Foton????.

I just tried this, the field of view of the Vidom set to 35mm is much wider than the FOV of the Ia. The FOV of the Vidom at 50mm and the Vidom are pretty close to each other. The Ia is a little wider than a SBOOI but framelines in a SBOOI are conservative. It also was a little wider than a III or IIIG finder. This is using subjects about 15' away.

Shawn

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The IIIb viewfinder is a bit strange too.
While the viewfinder of my III brings a (nearly) 5cm angle of view, my IIIb has a wider angle, something 40ish.

I never noticed any difference between the viewfinders of both my IIIb cameras and other LTM Leicas. Going to have to check now. 😀

 

[haempe]

I never noticed any difference between the viewfinders of both my IIIb cameras and other LTM Leicas. Going to have to check now. 😀

Please do and let us know.
It's not that much, but it's also a small viewfinder.
If I compare with the MP, the III has a bit wider view than the MPs 50 frame, and the IIIb is ca. in the middle between 50 and 35.

 

[Shac]

Good to know; I never liked the IIIb because there was no black version. The same for the IIIc, IIId, IIIf and IIIg.

Erik.

Erik - roughly how many black IIIa's were there (Leica wiki no help)?
Thanks
David

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik - roughly how many black IIIa's were there (Leica wiki no help)?
Thanks
David

I know there is at least one: Michael, our member Dralowid, has one. But you are right, I forgot to mention this model. The difference between III and IIIa however is extremely small.


Erik.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Please do and let us know.
It's not that much, but it's also a small viewfinder.
If I compare with the MP, the III has a bit wider view than the MPs 50 frame, and the IIIb is ca. in the middle between 50 and 35.

Here's what I got, using the vertical planking of my backyard wall at 3 meters away.


I've checked my two IIIb cameras against:
-1942 IIIc - Very close to/same as the FOV of the IIIb
-1936 IIIa - Very close to/same as the FOV of the IIIb
-1933 II - clearly narrower FOV than the IIIb

Additionally (Apples & oranges, sure, but I had them at hand)
-1938 I(e) - Very close to/same as the FOV of the IIIb
-1930 I(a) - clearly wider FOV than the IIIb

Not so surprised that the IIIb and IIIc are comparable, as they use the same optical setup in their design.

 

[haempe]

...
-1933 II - clearly narrower FOV than the IIIb
...

My III is from 1934, maybe the viewfinder is similar to your '33 II?
But it surprises me the difference is not between IIIa and IIIb.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I have a few other cameras to compare if desired, Another II, IIIa-syn, a few wartime IIIc cameras and a IIIf.

I have no idea if this part of the camera was subjected to any strict form of quality control. Hypothetically, it could be the rangefinder and viewfinder lenses at the back of the camera are flipped or reversed by accident.

Also; got a new jacket for my Leica I(a) today.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, my II has a very narrow field, very precise for a 50mm lens. My late III (194331) has a narrower field than my SBOOI. My II (74510) has a narrower field than my late III (194331). My early III (114317) has exactly the same field of view as my late III (194331). My I (6535) has a very wide view, the widest of all, correct for a 35mm lens.

My Leica II has the best finder for a 50mm lens.

Leica II/Hektor 50mm f/2.5/Tmax400/AdoxMCC110

Erik.

 

[p.giannakis]

Nice picture Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Pan!


Erik.

 

[carbo73]

The IIIb viewfinder is a bit strange too.
While the viewfinder of my III brings a (nearly) 5cm angle of view, my IIIb has a wider angle, something 40ish.
I've learned that the hard way, some first rolls with cut off heads from the IIIb because I was used to the III viewfinder...

uops, that would explain that my I(A) and my IIIb look with identical viewfinders to me. Probably both are arround 45mm? Maybe? But 35mm looks way to wide to me. But I can only make eye guessing here.

 

[mauro scacco]

Leica iiia 1936 by Mauro Scacco, su Flickr


Leica iiia 1936 by Mauro Scacco, su Flickr

With the great expert and friend Pierpaolo Ghisetti the discovery of an old leica's story of 1936, when this my camera above was given and dedicated to V.L.W. German factory

http://www.wetzlar-historica-italia...b44XTVPN8Nlr-wZm7ZeB-vP_-QcS6DhyGsa7V6xBiuV8w

 

[carbo73]

Leica iiia 1936 by Mauro Scacco, su Flickr

L
eica iiia 1936 by Mauro Scacco, su Flickr

With the great expert and friend Pierpaolo Ghisetti the discovery of an old leica's story of 1936, when this my camera above was given and dedicated to V.L.W. German factory

http://www.wetzlar-historica-italia...b44XTVPN8Nlr-wZm7ZeB-vP_-QcS6DhyGsa7V6xBiuV8w

Oh wow, I followed that camera, and was quite tempted to take part in the auction! Looks impressive! Good to see you have found the meaning of that engraving. I thought it was somebody's initials. That unique detail in a camera is a big plus for me, specially if you can discover the mystery behind some name or emblem.