Smallest/flattest collapsible?

[akptc]

...I can easily carry my 111c and 35/3.5 Elmar with viewfinder attached (but no hood) in a jacket pocket. 😎

Would you happen to have a picture of your IIIc+35mm+finder outfit? I am just getting into this size of Leica and am fascinated by the possibilities.

 

[scigeek]

Would you happen to have a picture of your IIIc+35mm+finder outfit? I am just getting into this size of Leica and am fascinated by the possibilities.

Any excuse 😀 to post a picture of my 111c!

When you look at this you have to bear in mind that I don't consider using the camera direct from my pocket ideal (although quite a few do). Thats why I'm buying a refurbished period case for the camera.

BTW the lens is under the lenscap - ready to shoot!

The second shot (with the print underneath) shows how much more room the lens + hood takes up, but I rarely use a hood. Incidentally, the print is a straight print from the 3.5cm lens, re-photographed with a digital point-and-shoot to show the camera. Take a look at the detail in the wooden bench...

 

[akptc]

Thank you for the pics - nice outfit. I like the 2nd shot a lot. It makes me want my new III right this very minute (it's in the mail - seems the best stuff is always "in the mail"... 🙂)

 

[ZorkiKat]

Collapsible Industars rock!

Collapsible Industars rock!

the russian fac-similé of the leitz elmar is a four design tessar, the zeiss design. It also seems that this lens design requires a good mechanical precision adjustment that often lacked on the assembly line. Considering the price of film devellopment, I would go for an uncoated elmar collapsible that can be found on the bay for 150 bux.

The collapsible Industars go for around US$15 - 20. I've a bout 50 of these and they all work perfectly. None have the problems associated with the other soviet lenses.

The only ones which would cause problems (not due to faulty or haphazard assembly) are the prewar and immediate post-war lenses made for the FED. These had non-standard registers and would not fit a real Leica or Canon because of thread mount pitch differences. These issues did not arise from production defects, but rather incompatible designs.

However, all the later FED, Industar-22 and Industar-50 collapsible lenses would work nicely with my Leica cameras. I have a preference for the coated FED collapsible- they seem to do better ("draw" images in a different, charming way)
than the I-22 or I-50, though these latter lenses were supposed (and have proven) to be an improvement in more ways than one.

🙂
Jay

 

[akptc]

... However, all the later FED, Industar-22 and Industar-50 collapsible lenses would work nicely ....... [...] ....though these latter lenses were supposed (and have proven) to be an improvement in more ways than one.
Jay

Jay, the one problem I am running into is determing whether an FSU lens is of the "later" manufacture, especially when shopping on ebay. Are there any visual markers that one could look for to identify those newer collapsibles?

 

[hoot]

Though I've never seen it in the flesh, the C/V 28/35 Minifinder should make your combo even more pocketable.

 

[scigeek]

Though I've never seen it in the flesh, the C/V 28/35 Minifinder should make your combo even more pocketable.

Yeah, but they're expensive, and even more expensive should you want to shoot with a 90 as well.
Meantime, here is my total LTM kit - can't get much more minimalist than this!
The meter is a Japanese Weston clone from the 70's, but about 2/3rds the size.

 

[hoot]

Yeah, but they're expensive

Only reason I don't own one. 😀

And that's a very nice kit!

 

[FrankS]

Smallest 3 lens kit?

IIIa with 50 f3.5 Elmar, Nikon Varifocal finder, CV meter II, Canon 100 f3.5, Canon 35 f2.8

 

[raid]

I will post tonight some results of 12 50mm lenses in Leica mount. Maybe you get inspired by some.

 

[akptc]

My new Leica III outfit so far

My new Leica III outfit so far

Frank, awesome looking outfit. The Cannon 100mm sure looks like a serous lens - is it hard to frame / compose on the III?

Raid, I can't wait to see yout lest test results, especially since after seeing all the screwmount goodies at the Phoenix photo show this morning, I am aching to "complete" my new Leica III kit.

The annual Photorama USA show in Phoenix, AZ was a small affair but pretty well attended, I'd say. The one thing I noticed was the average age of the vendors and attendees - my guess is well over 50. I wonder why that is - there were very few younger folks there.

Anyway, I saw this minty Summaron 35mm (see below) and couldn't resist. The picture doesn't do it justice, it looks and behaves like new (well, I imagine).

Also found a working Ricoh 35S for $4 and a Konica TC + 40mm/1.8 in perfect order for $45 - bargains galore 😀

So now I have a 50mm Elmar 3.5 and a 35mm Summaron 3.5. Clearly, I need at least one fast lens for the III. For that, I assume, I'll need to look at CV lenses, perhaps the 28/1.9 Ultron?

Going to the Tucson photo show tomorrow, it is supposed to be huge, much bigger than the Photorama one today. I will probably take only one credit card with me and no cash...

 

[hoot]

Andy, let me know how you get along with your Summaron. I had to sell mine because it wasn't compatible with my Zorki-1 bodies (the focusing cam is the wrong shape). What I'm curious is whether it's possible to get used to the fact that the Summaron's aperture marking rotates when the lens is being focused.

It is such a gorgeous lens, though...

 

[akptc]

hoot, I plan to shoot lost of rolls with both lenses, will post anything that's any good 🙂

Cheers,

 

[scigeek]

Anyway, I saw this minty Summaron 35mm (see below) and couldn't resist. The picture doesn't do it justice, it looks and behaves like new (well, I imagine).

So now I have a 50mm Elmar 3.5 and a 35mm Summaron 3.5. Clearly, I need at least one fast lens for the III. For that, I assume, I'll need to look at CV lenses, perhaps the 28/1.9 Ultron?
...

Andy - nice!

Do yourself a favour and pick up an old Leica case. Just got mine and it's amazing! Weighs nothing, and can take a filter and lenshood attached, with the front closed. Really makes the outfit (IMO).