Thinking of getting a Leica III

Just like the M2 and M4 represent the apex of M-series cameras - I think the IIIc was the apex for III-series cameras. The most robust design and the basic features that make a III series a III series. I'll agree the IIIg has a better finder and the IIIf can be used with flash - (but using a flash on a III series camera kinda' defeats the whole compact and inobtrusive theme). I'm happy with my IIIc. My other IIIc (hacked to IIIf spec) is going away

Paul
 
hey 🙂

I've seen a IIIf with a summitar for £400 (is this a good price?), I think the extra stops will be useful for me and I don't mind the extra size (its not much bigger than the elmar is it?). But I have one question, I have heard that the coating on the Summitars can scratch easily, I have emailed the seller about the lenses condition, but I was wondering, how easily do they scratch? I am pretty carefull with my gear, but are there any special precautions I should take?

Thanks 🙂

Rob
 
blacknoise said:
hey 🙂

I've seen a IIIf with a summitar for £400 (is this a good price?), I think the extra stops will be useful for me and I don't mind the extra size (its not much bigger than the elmar is it?). But I have one question, I have heard that the coating on the Summitars can scratch easily, I have emailed the seller about the lenses condition, but I was wondering, how easily do they scratch? I am pretty carefull with my gear, but are there any special precautions I should take?

Thanks 🙂

Rob
Click to expand...

Dear Rob,

No, the Summitar isn't that much bigger than the Elmar -- but it is...

In other words, the Elmar is unbelievably tiny, and the Summitar isn't. It's still small, but equally, it's still it's a big bulge on the front of a very small camera.

The Summar is notorious for scratching, but the Summitar is no more (or less) tender than any vintage lens, i.e. it stands normal use very well but scratches easier (with aggressive/abrasive cleaning) than modern lenses. No special precautions needed: blow or brush off dust, and use either a a well-washed T-short rag, a microfibre cloth or (my favourite) optical-grade chamois leather for cleaning.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
In other words, the Elmar is unbelievably tiny, and the Summitar isn't. It's still small, but equally, it's still it's a big bulge on the front of a very small camera.
Click to expand...

I'd second that. I adore my '46 coated Summitar, but what feels compact and tiny on an M2 or Canon P (which is where mine normally lives) suddenly feels rather bulky when mounted on a Barnack body.

The tiny little Elmar, which looks and feels somewhat 'lost' on an M-sized body, it just right on a Leica iii (or ii, or i). That said, I do think that the Summitar is marginally the better lens of the two.

The price of the set you mention isn't bad if it's from a dealer and comes in genuinely good condition.
 
hey guys 🙂

I think the size of the Summitar will be no problem to me, I mostly want the camera for the quietness of operation and low weight (Plus I guess its still pretty small even with the Summitar right?), I normaly have my camera arround my neck when its in actual use, and put it in my bag when its not being used, so the extra size is no big deal, and is far outweighed by the extra speed of the lens.

When the guy gets back to me, I'm buying it for sure if the conditions good 🙂 Its listed as "E+" with "some signs of use", in my experience, this can vary from looking near-mint to being a complete heap of crap, so we'll see :S

Thanks for all the help, I wasn't expecting a response as good as this, being a new(ish) member, I think I'll enjoy my time here 🙂

Rob
 
Enjoy! I do like the Elmar, since I have a Pentax MX if I want to bother with bigger lenses, but a IIIf and a Summitar should be great.

I also use an external 50 finder. It's the best thing I ever did.
 
any reason for the external finder? Just for the framelines?

I guess that could be useful in some situations (if i can get a cheap one), I'd mostly use my leica for street shots (where I'm currently using my Zorki, and the finder cant be worse that that) so the framing accuracy isnt too important.
 
Good luck! I had the choice of either a well brassed IIIc (from memory, I think) with Summitar or a IIIf red dial with Red Dial Elmar (at 2 different shops in Seoul with a square km of each other on the same day - and that was my narrowed down choice from about 20 Barnack Leica's that these guys had in stock).

I can certainly say that tiny is tiny when it comes to the Elmar. Mind you the Summitar isn't big but it bulges out in a way that makes a Barnack seem bigger - certainly a little harder to slide into a coat pocket or bag. Of course a Summitar might be quicker to change aperatures on than an Elmar - and there's the advantage of a couple of extra stops of available light.

At any rate I got the IIIf because it was very well preserved (only a faint amount of the black Leica lettering has rubbed out of the engravings and just a touch of brassing to the aperature ring). It also takes very nice pictures - but I was glad to have the opportunity to handle both at the time of purchase. Although I rarely use it these days - I find the viewfinder squinty compared to say any combined RF/VF camera (I wear glasses) - and so I tend to use it as a mount for a VC Heliar 15 which is hardly a use-for-every-shot sort of lens.

Although, now that I think of it - why don't I shoot more with my IIIf? They're lovely cameras. In fact you've inspired me to pop a roll into into mine and get out there and shoot some film.

Cheers, and let us know how 'your' Leica turns out.
 
Hey,

Think i will be going with the Elmar after all, the one I was looking at was a mistake on the listing, was actually body only. The aperture mechanism and slower speed aren't really much of a problem. It will be to replace my Zorki, which mostly has iso400 in it (so i can get away with smaller apertures) and also tends to stay set at f8 or so based on condition, then changing the shutter speeds to get the exposure. Plus the smallness would be cool 😛

I also wear glasses, but i find the finder on my fed and zorki all right, It wont be any worse that these will it?

Thanks

Rob
 
The IIIf RD ST is a beatiful camera, as well as a fine shooter. I mostly use a Canon 50/1.5 on mine, but am also planning to use it with a hybrid pre-War Sonnar 50/2 in a J-8 housing that was done by Brian Sweeney. The Sonnar is a bit lighter, but they do have similar character otherwise. I also have both a Summar and a Summitar. The results are different with all of these, but can be very pleasing. Considering the prices at the moment, they are all comparative bargains.

I think you'll have a lot of fun with the camera.

Harry
 
been shooting my camera today, and the controls are lovely and smooth (especially compared to the Zorki!), but it could do with a CLA, the shutter has the same high pitched sound as my Zorki before its CLA and the Lens helical is a little stiff. But I have a repair manual and also have worked on the Zorki so should be ok.

One thing tho, i thought I had the RD until I looked and the numbering isnt red at all, but it has a self timer, which I believe was only on the IIIf RD. Also the serial (starting 51) is from a IIIc. Im confused :S Do I have the improved shutter or not? and is there any real difference between the two?

Thanks

Rob
 
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