.JL.
Established
the devil is within me
the devil is within me
For a few minutes before I read your second post, I thought you were the only angel around here.
the devil is within me
aizan said:
For a few minutes before I read your second post, I thought you were the only angel around here.
sircarl
Well-known
I sold a perfectly good IIIc to buy a IIIf. It's not rational -- I hardly ever take flash pictures or use a self-timer! -- but I really wanted one. It seems better built and I love the way it looks. Now I'm a happy camper.
john neal
fallor ergo sum
As explained by one of the other posters here, this really is a slippery slope
I had a BD IIIf, then a RD IIIf and was not really convinced I needed the flash sync, as I almost never use flash. Then I thought "why not have a real pre-war Barnack?", so I bought a IIIa - simply beautiful. Next a sad & lonely IIIc demanded to be rescued from a life of abuse - that is under repair and recovering. Finally (for now) I stumbled on a Standard (although described as a IC) for a relative song last week.
So you see, once you take that first step (even if you don't inhale), you are completely lost. My M's are wondering when they will be taken out to play, as my current full-time companion is the Standard + CV 25mm f4 - great for street shooting and fits in the hand just right.
I believe the only cure is to buy one, use it, build up your immunity then send it to me for safekeeping
I had a BD IIIf, then a RD IIIf and was not really convinced I needed the flash sync, as I almost never use flash. Then I thought "why not have a real pre-war Barnack?", so I bought a IIIa - simply beautiful. Next a sad & lonely IIIc demanded to be rescued from a life of abuse - that is under repair and recovering. Finally (for now) I stumbled on a Standard (although described as a IC) for a relative song last week.
So you see, once you take that first step (even if you don't inhale), you are completely lost. My M's are wondering when they will be taken out to play, as my current full-time companion is the Standard + CV 25mm f4 - great for street shooting and fits in the hand just right.
I believe the only cure is to buy one, use it, build up your immunity then send it to me for safekeeping
sircarl
Well-known
...and for what it's worth, the guy who owns this Website says the IIIf RD ST, combined with a 50/3.5 Elmar, is his favorite LTM camera, a thing of "incredible beaty" : http://www.cameraquest.com/3frdst.htm
harry01562
Registered semi-lurker
It's difficult to discourage you, with your choice of cameras. Unlike one poster, who appears to hate the camera (why?), most will chime in that it is a beautiful piece of design. I have the late RD ST, and I find it one of my nicest, and it is good company.
As others mentioned, it is a slippery slope. I'm fairly satisfied, with 3 bodies, that represent the Leica at 3 moments in its history (see sig). I would not add the IIIg to your list, as it isn't a user as much as a collectible, being the last of the design. The IIIa, c or f should also hold its value, as they are all desired models by both users and collectors.
If you can afford it, buy one. KEH is a good choice, as is Woodmere. I bought a couple of small items from Ritz, and they were graded properly. Stan Tamarkin also usually has a fair inventory, and there can be bargains at his auctions. I've found him to be reliable, and conservative. Don't ruch, the chase is a good part of the fun.
Harry
As others mentioned, it is a slippery slope. I'm fairly satisfied, with 3 bodies, that represent the Leica at 3 moments in its history (see sig). I would not add the IIIg to your list, as it isn't a user as much as a collectible, being the last of the design. The IIIa, c or f should also hold its value, as they are all desired models by both users and collectors.
If you can afford it, buy one. KEH is a good choice, as is Woodmere. I bought a couple of small items from Ritz, and they were graded properly. Stan Tamarkin also usually has a fair inventory, and there can be bargains at his auctions. I've found him to be reliable, and conservative. Don't ruch, the chase is a good part of the fun.
Harry
jkelly
Analog hobbyist
You can buy a Barnack on Ebay and not get ripped. A couple of years ago I bought a IIIa that is in perfect condition for $129. Just try to deal with the camera shops with good feedback instead of individuals.
Krosya
Konicaze
I'm afraid I will not help you either. I have a IIIf BD. Got it in very good shape, had it CLA'd, new shutter curtains put on and it's a lovely machine. Small, solid and Beautiful. You know, I could never understand why people like them - odd film loading, squinty viewfinder, just sounds like a pain compared to any M leica or just about any other camera. I still think that way and yet - my IIIf is the one that is ALWAYS with me. It's so slick, so smooth. Holding it is much more pleasure than my M3 and M6 - go figure. There is some voodoo magic to them. When I list all the odd things about it - I question myself - why in the world do I have it , when I have so much more user friendly cameras? And for some reason, it's the one I reach for first. I think part of it is that it's in great mechanical condition - very smoooth after CLA. Yet VF and RF are begining to show its age and get less contrasty, I still love the strange beast. I tryed to put it up for sale so many times and never could. What can I say - it's gotta be love. You will just have to discover this for yourself and see if you feel about it the same as we do.
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dee
Well-known
i have a 1950 IIIc and a 1952 IIIf red dial from the same London Leica dealer , both from a collection originally sold new to a user/collector ,returned as an estate sale by his wife ...
The IIIf has a tiny dint , so was priced as the IIIc , one Summitar , one Elmar .
No , i am not rich , just crazy , it was inheritance money !!!
The odd aspect is that I prefer the IIIc - simply because the shutter speed dial is smaller , so easier to use !
as for the red dial shutter - it seems lighter than that of the IIIc , but this might just be individual cameras .
But there really is not anything quite like a Leica IIIc or f ... not logical , but so compact and simple !
A budget Zorki 1 will provide a taste of what the fuss was about in the 30s , but do get a serviced one - they are as expensive to cla as the Leicas !
listen to your heart .... not your head !!!
The IIIf has a tiny dint , so was priced as the IIIc , one Summitar , one Elmar .
No , i am not rich , just crazy , it was inheritance money !!!
The odd aspect is that I prefer the IIIc - simply because the shutter speed dial is smaller , so easier to use !
as for the red dial shutter - it seems lighter than that of the IIIc , but this might just be individual cameras .
But there really is not anything quite like a Leica IIIc or f ... not logical , but so compact and simple !
A budget Zorki 1 will provide a taste of what the fuss was about in the 30s , but do get a serviced one - they are as expensive to cla as the Leicas !
listen to your heart .... not your head !!!
dee
Well-known
i have a 1950 IIIc and a 1952 IIIf red dial from the same London Leica dealer , both from a collection originally sold new to a user/collector ,returned as an estate sale by his wife ...
The IIIf has a tiny dint , so was priced as the IIIc , one Summitar , one Elmar .
No , i am not rich , just crazy , it was inheritance money !!!
The odd aspect is that I prefer the IIIc - simply because the shutter speed dial is smaller , so easier to use !
as for the red dial shutter - it seems lighter than that of the IIIc , but this might just be individual cameras .
But there really is not anything quite like a Leica IIIc or f ... not logical , but so compact and simple !
A budget Zorki 1 will provide a taste of what the fuss was about in the 30s , but do get a serviced one - they are as expensive to cla as the Leicas !
listen to your heart .... not your head !!!
The IIIf has a tiny dint , so was priced as the IIIc , one Summitar , one Elmar .
No , i am not rich , just crazy , it was inheritance money !!!
The odd aspect is that I prefer the IIIc - simply because the shutter speed dial is smaller , so easier to use !
as for the red dial shutter - it seems lighter than that of the IIIc , but this might just be individual cameras .
But there really is not anything quite like a Leica IIIc or f ... not logical , but so compact and simple !
A budget Zorki 1 will provide a taste of what the fuss was about in the 30s , but do get a serviced one - they are as expensive to cla as the Leicas !
listen to your heart .... not your head !!!
thomasw_
Well-known
ffordes in scotland have a competitively priced and carefully graded selection. i am a canuck like you, and i bought my summitar 5cm from ffordes and i was very pleased with their dealings.
however, my recommendation would be to make sure your barnack's vf is clear and well lit; and be sure to check the shutter for wear and functionality. everything else that is cosmetic can be easily and inexpensively altered. for instance, a new aki covering for 20-22$ is such a great deal, and it will transform your beaten barnack into a jewel.
i am a huge fan of available light shooting, and therefore i have no interest in having flash capability; as such, the IIIc is the barnack I love.
however, my recommendation would be to make sure your barnack's vf is clear and well lit; and be sure to check the shutter for wear and functionality. everything else that is cosmetic can be easily and inexpensively altered. for instance, a new aki covering for 20-22$ is such a great deal, and it will transform your beaten barnack into a jewel.
i am a huge fan of available light shooting, and therefore i have no interest in having flash capability; as such, the IIIc is the barnack I love.