Erik van Straten
Veteran
Ha! I have something unique: an in-between IIIg!
Don't use yours, Rick, a half-worn M2 is just as good.
Erik.
Don't use yours, Rick, a half-worn M2 is just as good.
Erik.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
If you can find me a half-way-decent/worn M2 for the price I paid for the IIIg, I might consider it 
Well I've got to feed it at least one roll of film to check it out. Got a Summarit sitting on it. I should probably start looking for a nice Summicron for it ....
Well I've got to feed it at least one roll of film to check it out. Got a Summarit sitting on it. I should probably start looking for a nice Summicron for it ....
Dralowid
Michael
There seem to be a lot of almost untouched post war LTM Leicas out there. It seems to me that a worn looking IIf is hard to find.
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I still can't believe this one is a conversion, but maybe it was custom made before the war. The quality of this camera is far above my other black and nickel cameras. It surely is a prewar camera because Leitz did not make anything with a nickel finish after 1938 or so. I've never seen strap lugs on another prewar Leica II.
A rather strange feature is the "half moon" cutout in the bottom frame mask, exactly in the center (on the picture naturally on top). I've seen this on other prewar Leicas too but I still do not know why this was done. Maybe it was an indication that helped to put the negative correctly centered in the enlarger.
Portrait made with the Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5.
Erik.
A rather strange feature is the "half moon" cutout in the bottom frame mask, exactly in the center (on the picture naturally on top). I've seen this on other prewar Leicas too but I still do not know why this was done. Maybe it was an indication that helped to put the negative correctly centered in the enlarger.
Portrait made with the Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5.
Erik.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Another shot of the IIIg I acquired recently
After the test roll it was clear the curtain springs needed a little tweak.
After the test roll it was clear the curtain springs needed a little tweak.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Indeed quite easy
Please note that the Japanese beamsplitter is a little fainter than the original....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zorki_2007/albums/72157633280286499
neal3k
Well-known
Just shot this detailed view of my 1930 Leica I. I'm shooting it quite a lot; 6 rolls since I got it in May.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2m5MWrF]
The Beginning by Neal Wellons, on Flickr[/URL]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2m5MWrF]
The Beginning by Neal Wellons, on Flickr[/URL]
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Nice Model A. Mine's from 1930 as well and I've just loaded it with some Double-X.
Beauty! __
Malcolm M
Well-known
A question- neal3k's Leica 1 has the drilled and plugged hole in the backplate that I understood was to calibrate the rangefinder on early models so equipped. But of course the 1 has no rangefinder, and if it's 1930 I believe (confirmation required) predates the introduction of the rangefinder- equipped II. Does anyone have an explanation?
Dralowid
Michael
No, not to calibrate a rangerfinder.
The hole was used for collimating the lens. There should be a matching hole in the pressure plate.
The hole was used for collimating the lens. There should be a matching hole in the pressure plate.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Finally I can do it, I know now how to install a new rangefinder-mirror in the LTM-Leicas II, III and IIIa. If anybody has questions about installing the mirror from Nobbysparrow, they can ask me. The explanation of Nobu himself on his site about this is not very clear.
Erik.
largedrink
Down Under
Here are a couple of mine.
I just finished refurbishing the IIIg which took 12 months to finally acquire the parts I needed. It came to me without a self timer and rear eyepiece cover. I managed to source a new timer lever and fixing screw from DAG, but did not have the coupling pieces to the self timer mechanism until recently when I connected to a kind Italian e-bay seller who had the missing parts. I also sourced a genuine plastic eyepiece from Sweden, missing eyepiece screw from DAG and replacement leather from aki-asahi in Japan. I cleaned the Summar throughout. Looking forward to running a film through it.
The IIIf is in beautiful condition but with a slow shutter curtain and has just been sent away for a CLA.
I just finished refurbishing the IIIg which took 12 months to finally acquire the parts I needed. It came to me without a self timer and rear eyepiece cover. I managed to source a new timer lever and fixing screw from DAG, but did not have the coupling pieces to the self timer mechanism until recently when I connected to a kind Italian e-bay seller who had the missing parts. I also sourced a genuine plastic eyepiece from Sweden, missing eyepiece screw from DAG and replacement leather from aki-asahi in Japan. I cleaned the Summar throughout. Looking forward to running a film through it.
The IIIf is in beautiful condition but with a slow shutter curtain and has just been sent away for a CLA.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Nice! As far as I can see, the Elmar is a converted Elmar from a Leica I. It does not have a number on its front ring. The number is scratched inside.These old Elmars are very nice to use.
The Summar looks fine too. Usually the front glass is ruined.
Erik.
The Summar looks fine too. Usually the front glass is ruined.
Erik.
largedrink
Down Under
Thanks Erik! Now that's interesting, a converted Elmar from a Leica I, are you able to explain more?
I sent the Elmar away with the IIIf to get the helicoid lubricated as it was hard to focus, otherwise it's in beautiful condition and the barrel is mirror-like. I did take a few test shots with this Elmar, the Summar and a mouldy Summicron on another camera a few weeks ago. The Summicron shots were hazy, the Summar crisp, average contrast and with character, and the Elmar very sharp and contrasty.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The Leica I does not have an interchangeble lens; their lenses were fixed to them. That is why their lenses are not numbered on the outside. In the 1950's many Leica I cameras (from the 1920s and early 1930s) were converted (or butchered for their lens). These lenses were often updated by Leitz. Leitz had a special service department for this kind of work. Many Leica I, II and III cameras were modernized, their lenses too. You can recognize the lenses originating from the Leica I: they are not numbered on the brass filter ring. These rings are still original. Their number is scrached somewere inside. Also their tube is shorter than that of the later Elmars.
Erik.
Erik.
Dralowid
Michael
The focus mark...
Do I remember a conversation about the focus mark being different on a converted red scale lens?
Triangle on a 'new' red scale Elmar
Four sided sort of diamond shape on a converted lens (as above)
? or have I dreamt it up?
Do I remember a conversation about the focus mark being different on a converted red scale lens?
Triangle on a 'new' red scale Elmar
Four sided sort of diamond shape on a converted lens (as above)
? or have I dreamt it up?
David Hughes
David Hughes
Several lens makers would convert them to interchangeable versions with the purchase of (say) one of their 90mm lenses. I've seen several adverts in 1930's magazines fir this. Meyer used to do it, f'instance.
Regards, David
Regards, David
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, the true "red scale" Elmar has a black triangle and it's tube is longer. Darker coating too.
Erik.