Some Cursory observations about my 'new' IIIG

[lxmike]

So l've had the IIIG a few days now and to be honest l have not loaded a film in it yet, why? well l wanted to give the shutter a good exrecise before l loaded a film in it. The camera had been a in a display cage over the past few years, but prior to that it had had a CLA (about six years ago). Anyway,needless to say the shutter is 'sweet' and sounds about right to my 'old' ears, and after a few shots the slow speeds are good too. Build quality is nice and the weight is 'nicely' heavy, not sure how it compares to lets say the weight of an M2. The rangefinder is very contrasty and nice to use even when l am wearing my glasses but the big bonus and l mean bonus, is the finder, oh what a joy, what a really fine finder to use, l can see me getting a lot of fun and use out of this camera. Now its in quite nice condition so the question is do l treat it with kit gloves or do l just use it like l have used all my other cameras over the last 40 years, l wonder what patina builds up on a IIIG after use. Out of interest does anyone know if any black paint IIIG were ever factory produced........not that l could ever afford a BP IIIG😀

 

[FrozenInTime]

Google IIIG three crowns

 

[lxmike]

Google IIIG three crowns

thankyou for the pointer and as soon as l win the lottery l might grab one or sooner if l can scrape $52,000 together😱😀

 

[xayraa33]

HCB used a three crown IIIg

 

[lynnb]

...Now its in quite nice condition so the question is do l treat it with kit gloves or do l just use it like l have used all my other cameras over the last 40 years

It's a camera! Use it till it drops from exhaustion. It will probably outlast you!

PS and congrats on the new member of your camera family

 

[Robert Lai]

I use my IIIG on a regular basis. These cameras are no longer being made, so there should be a bit of thoughtfulness about how the camera is being used. I use a half case to protect most of the body surface when in use. This protects the camera from slight bumps and jars that may otherwise mar the finish. Primarily however, the case is to protect the camera from humans.

Our body oils are acidic (with a good mixture of salt (Na, K, Cl) thrown in), and constant contact can stain and erode metal, discolor rubber and leather surfaces with time. Oh yes, also etch glass, as anyone who's ever found an etched fingerprint on a glass element will curse at.

Chrome cameras don't "patina" very well, unlike the black painted cameras. They show grime, corrosion, flaking of the chrome, and bright lines with wear. Brassing through of a chrome finish is NOT pretty! And, I don't find dents, gouges and mars of any sort attractive either.

So, the chrome top and knobs/levers/dials are protected by micro-crystalline Renaissance wax. This prevents fingerprints from getting on the chrome in the first place, and also makes wiping them off very easy.

Sure, it is time comsuming to initially spend the time applying the wax on metal, and a conditioner on the vulcanite. (Hint, use lots of Q-tips). However, the lasting beautiful appearance and conserved condition of your prize camera is worth it.

Remember, you are the conservator of this camera for the next and future generations

 

[Pioneer]

Those are good ideas Robert. I do use a half case for mine but I have not applied any wax to the surface to help protect it.

 

[lxmike]

It's a camera! Use it till it drops from exhaustion. It will probably outlast you!

PS and congrats on the new member of your camera family

your right about it outlasting me, l'm dropping to bits😀

 

[lxmike]

HCB used a three crown IIIg

l wonder how much that actual camera would be worth😎

 

[lxmike]

Remember, you are the conservator of this camera for the next and future generations

many thanks, never thought of it like that

 

[lxmike]

Those are good ideas Robert. I do use a half case for mine but I have not applied any wax to the surface to help protect it.

will look out for a half case

 

[Erik van Straten]

HCB used a three crown IIIg

I think he had two black IIIg's, one of them was auctioned some years ago and fetched something like 48.000 euros if I am not mistaken.

This one. The bill of Tiranty for the refinishing of the camera in black (originally it was chrome) from 1964 was still with it. A very interesting document if you ask me.

Erik.

 

[charjohncarter]

I say use it, I've had mine for 50 years now (IIIf). But I have to say I do use it now with caution. I look at my old photos with it and I would never take to places like that now.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

What conditioner do you use on the Vulcanite? I have used the micro-crystalline Renaissance wax before. It is great! And, easier to use than any other wax. Will not try it on the metal. Hadn't thought of it on cameras.

 

[easyrider]

It's easy!

It's easy!

thankyou for the pointer and as soon as l win the lottery l might grab one or sooner if l can scrape $52,000 together😱😀

It's easy! Just sell your house, send your wife out to work if you have one, sell your car and take on a night job! 🙂) It's all a matter of priorities.

 

[tunalegs]

While I do often keep cameras in their cases to protect them from dings and scratches, there is a certain point where one should ask themselves if they're using a camera or babying a collectible.

 

[Luddite Frank]

While I do often keep cameras in their cases to protect them from dings and scratches, there is a certain point where one should ask themselves if they're using a camera or babying a collectible.

How about "protecting a precision instrument and significant investment" ? 😉

I do not believe that carrying a camera in an ERC or half case is "babying".

Why (needlessly) expose the camera to knocks and scrapes?


For what it's worth, I find that III-g ERC to be the best of the Leica cases, with its metal strap attachments.

I made a 1/2-case from a III-g case ( removed the top case by removing the rivets ), and put a modern wide-strap on it.

It is my working case for whatever Barnack I am shooting.


Just my 2-cents worth.

 

[Robert Lai]

Peeves about camera straps

Peeves about camera straps

The point about straps is worthwhile. I don't put straps on my cameras, if I can help it. I do put them on the case if they have attachment points for the straps. Look at how so many of the cameras offered for sale in the classified section have arcs on their sides centered around the strap lug, from wear from the strap. I know this seems nit picky, but it annoys me to see those avoidable marks.

Anyway, that's why I have the cases for my Agfa Super Isolette, Zeiss Super Ikonta IV, Kodak Medalist II, and the Certo Dollina II - they have strap attachments on the case. The "Nippon Kogaku - Tokyo" strap/case combination for the Nikon F is particularly impressive. The point at which the leather strap attaches to the metal ring in the case has a metal liner! That strap will never wear through, unlike all other the leather straps out there. Similarly, the leather strap of the Kodak Medalist has some type of nylon or other synthetic backing to prevent leather strap breakage from dropping your camera.


I do routinely cut off vintage leather straps, and replace them with modern nylon ones. Never trust an old vintage leather strap that doesn't have some type of reinforcement internally.

 

[tunalegs]

How about "protecting a precision instrument and significant investment" ? 😉

I do not believe that carrying a camera in an ERC or half case is "babying".

Why (needlessly) expose the camera to knocks and scrapes?


For what it's worth, I find that III-g ERC to be the best of the Leica cases, with its metal strap attachments.

I made a 1/2-case from a III-g case ( removed the top case by removing the rivets ), and put a modern wide-strap on it.

It is my working case for whatever Barnack I am shooting.


Just my 2-cents worth.

I suppose I wasn't clear enough. I see sense in using an ERC to protect a camera from harm during use. But beyond that - worrying about errant dust particles or fingerprints - one may as well just leave the camera in a glass display case at home. You cannot use a camera and simultaneously hope that it isn't used.

 

[Solinar]

How about "protecting a precision instrument and significant investment" ? 😉

I do not believe that carrying a camera in an ERC or half case is "babying".

Why (needlessly) expose the camera to knocks and scrapes?


For what it's worth, I find that III-g ERC to be the best of the Leica cases, with its metal strap attachments.

I made a 1/2-case from a III-g case ( removed the top case by removing the rivets ), and put a modern wide-strap on it.

It is my working case for whatever Barnack I am shooting.


Just my 2-cents worth.

You are correct, the original case is very nicely made. I cheated and replaced the rivet with snap button. One could also use a Zhou leather 1/2 case.

Best Regards,