iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
So. Didn't think I'd be buying a Leica anytime soon, but found this on eBay and decided to take a risk. The price was low enough that I think it was worth it even if it isn't working.
So I don't know anything about Leicas. Judging by these pictures the seller sent to me, and the serial number, I think it is a Leica iii. He says the lens is a 50mm f/2 Summar. I t should hopefully be here in about 10 days but it is coming all the way from Mumbai.
So, can you tell me anything?
So I don't know anything about Leicas. Judging by these pictures the seller sent to me, and the serial number, I think it is a Leica iii. He says the lens is a 50mm f/2 Summar. I t should hopefully be here in about 10 days but it is coming all the way from Mumbai.
So, can you tell me anything?
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colyn
ישו משיח
If the top shutter speed is 1/500th it's a Leica III. If it goes to 1/1000th then it's a Leica IIIa. Either model is a good camera as long as it is in good working condition. I would probably expect it will need service though.
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Top shutter speed is 1/500.
colyn
ישו משיח
That makes it a III then..
I just sold a vintage 1934 III that was factory converted to IIIa then to IIIf flash sync specs..
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Looks very nice. If I read the serial correctly ( 133,xxx) it is from 1933-34.
From the aperture scale, that would appear to be a Summar.
My "daily driver" is a 1934 III (with pitted, peeling chrome on top), s/n 134xxx; paid $140 US for it about 3 years ago, came with a Komura 35 / 3.5 lens. Cleaned it up a bit, and it's been working fine ever since. It's the foundation of my "go bag".
Congrats on your acquisition !
Luddite Frank
From the aperture scale, that would appear to be a Summar.
My "daily driver" is a 1934 III (with pitted, peeling chrome on top), s/n 134xxx; paid $140 US for it about 3 years ago, came with a Komura 35 / 3.5 lens. Cleaned it up a bit, and it's been working fine ever since. It's the foundation of my "go bag".
Congrats on your acquisition !
Luddite Frank
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
The seller claims the s/n is 181,xxx, but it does look to me like 131,xxx. Either way, Mr. Gandy's page says it is a plain III, only the years are different. Judging by the price of yours, Frank, and the prices listed in your other post, colyn, this my have not been such a magnificent deal. I was going by the prices on eBay, where one recently sold for slightly less than what I paid but without a lens, and most sell for $70-100 more.
Here is a picture of the front; I copied it from the eBay listing so it is not of the highest quality. Thank you for your responses so far and I will let everyone know how it turns out when I actually get it.
Here is a picture of the front; I copied it from the eBay listing so it is not of the highest quality. Thank you for your responses so far and I will let everyone know how it turns out when I actually get it.
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payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
All depends on condition. Post from India to the US does generally take ten days or so.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Unless it's listed as recently CLAed by named leica specialist, send it off to Youxin for a complete clean up. He's super quick and rate is very low. Then you'll have very reliable little picture taking machine that just happened to be stunningly beautiful.
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Payasam, I was wondering - How much does it cost to ship to the US from India? He charged (a lot, I thought) for air mail, then told me he sent it via EMS at extra cost to himself.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
I gambled on my IIa which was also listed with poor photos. I was the only bidder and got a very decent user that has performed flawlessly, without a CLA, for almost a year now. Good luck.
Dwig
Well-known
My lists show the 181,xxx numbers being from 1935 and were assigned to several batches each of 111 and 111a. The 1/500th top speed makes it a plain III.
The picture is interesting. The bezel and front lens over the left (as viewed from the front) RF window appears to be missing.
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Crud. You're right.
colyn
ישו משיח
Once the camera arrives I'd contact the seller and ask for a partial refund to pay for the missing part(s)
If the glass is also missing you won't be able to use the rangefinder since that part adjusts the vertical.
Check with DAG and see what he will charge for the parts and that should what you want back from the seller.
colyn
ישו משיח
A quick check of Don's site shows $30 for both items + whatever he will charge for shipping..
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
I doubt I will be able to get anything back from the seller - sold as is, untested, etc etc. Plus, it is pretty obvious in that photo, and that was the one actually listed on eBay. I was just too dense to notice.
At least the parts are readily available and not too expensive. If, by some miracle this is the only thing wrong with the camera, I wouldn't mind paying out of pocket for the parts.
What's that website?
At least the parts are readily available and not too expensive. If, by some miracle this is the only thing wrong with the camera, I wouldn't mind paying out of pocket for the parts.
What's that website?
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Nevermind, found the site. Only $4 for shipping too, not bad.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
For postal rates, go to www.indiapost.gov.in/ and, for the rupee-dollar conversion, to www.xe.com/ucc/.
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
I tried that, but couldn't get it to work for the EMS rates. I thought maybe you might have a rough idea. I'll try it again and see if it's working now.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Well, don't despair yet... I looked at your pics again, and the chrome on the top plate and knobs looks pretty good ,no pitting, peeling or brassing ( which means it wasn't used to the point of being worn-out)....
The vulcanite looks intact & tight...
I was REALLY lucky to snag a functioning Leica III for $140... like you, I figured that even if it needed service, it was a reasonable risk.
I paid a little more than 5 times that for a cosmetically very nice III f BD ( my first Leica), with a collapsible Summicron. After the third or fourth roll of film, it was unusable, due to crackled shutter blinds ( the curse of the Black-Dial Leicas, due to material quality issues following WW II ).
It awaits service.
Buying / owning / using a screw-mount Leica is a bit of a commitment, but one that I have found to be very rewarding.
I've all but shelved my Minolta XG-1 and Pentax Spotmatic SLR's, and am still holding off on getting a digi-cam because I'm happily using my 75 year-old Leica !
Let us know what you find when it arrives.
Luddite Frank
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Well, I am also hoping the lens is usable as well (the seller described it as "average" - no idea what that means). That way if the body is really terrible, I could keep the lens for my fed 3 or even Bessa L if I'm feeling adventurous.