Used Leica buying advice needed

[pesphoto]

Hi, I was just checking out KEH 's used Leica section and droolling. I want to buy a screwmount Leica III model, but which one? IIIa IIIb IIf? Not sure of the differences there. can anyone enlighten me as to what is the best way to go? Is KEH pretty reliable for selling user cameras? I dont intend for it to sit on my shelf. Are there any other places you would recommend to buy from besides ebay? Thanks for any info for this leica novice.

 

[dcsang]

Hi there,

Welcome aboard 🙂
There's a great article on Stephen Gandy's site:
http://cameraquest.com/ltmcam.htm

It goes through the differences in the LTM bodies and gives you an idea of which are good bargains etc. 🙂

Cheers
Dave

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks Dave,
I am familiar with cameraquest. I'll check out that article.

 

[peter_n]

KEH has a pretty good reputation, they rate very conservatively and in particular people seem to be very pleased with their "bargain" rated products. If you live outside the USA I understand the purchase can be complicated though.

As for buying, there's no better place than here on RFF. Check out the Classifieds forum and keep your eyes peeled in the active forum too - things can go very quickly here - these guys are a bunch of piranhas... 😉 Another place is the Leica forum and also the classifieds on photo.net. Take your time and do your research - the pointer to the Cameraquest page above will give you an excellent start. Do try to get to a camera show or a dealership so that you can handle an older Leica and better familiarize yourself with how they work.

Others will fill you in on the niceties of the Barnack cams I'm sure.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Some people like KEH, others do not, so its a mix bag.

I'd echo what Peter said. Read the exhaustive tutorial on cameraquest.com. Once you've decided what you want, place a WTB (want to buy) ad here on RFF forum.

I'm sure you will get hits from fellow members. It is best to keep equipment "in the family" if possible 🙂

good luck

 

[Skinny McGee]

I had a very nice experience with KEH...on my M3 and you get alittle bit of a warrenty

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks for all the useful advice. Skinny, I see you have a IIIA, would you consider it a user for street shooting? Or is it too clumsy in terms of film loading and such. The M3 looks pretty nice, maybe I should save up a bit more and go that route. hmm..

 

[Graybeard]

I' suggest that you opt for a IIIc or IIIf (IIc or IIF if you don't need the slower shutter speeds), These are the more robust members of the screw mount Leicas. I'd plan on a CLA soon after you get the camera; many of these have been in dresser drawers for years and the need cleaning and relubrication. You don't want to discover this by losing a valued photograph because the shutter was acting up.

Possible problems with a Leica of this age are gummy slow shutter speeds, pinholes in the shutter curtains, and a faded rangefinder patch. All of these are repairable by DAG, John maddox, or Essex, to name a few.

 

[former member]

Look through the viewfinder first. All of the Leica screw mount cameras have separate viewfinder/rangefinders. The Canon's of the same period use a combined VF/RF. The M3 finder is like a heads-up-display with the RF patch placed using an exacto knife. Look one over before spending money on a good body.

With that said, The post-war Leica IIIc is probably the least expensive, "best for the money" camera among the Leica LTM's. How often will you use a flash? If you need Sync, you need to get a IIIf.

 

[rover]

I am with Brian, go with a Canon IV SB2.

 

[pesphoto]

No flash needed so thats not a concern. I'll look at the Canons as well. Thanks.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Just a side note on IIf shutter speeds, in that the upper limit on some is 1/500 not 1/1000.

Bob

 

[terrafirmanada]

I originally bought an M3, and now discover that I do most of my shooting with thread mount lenses (Summitar, Canon 35mm 2.8 and 90mm 4). I only have one M-mount lens (40 summicron). So I decided to get a thread mount body. I went with a lllC after reading Cameraquest and asking around. I don't use flash, so it seemed like a good deal.

 

[terrafirmanada]

I just saw that you live in Providence. It is not too far to Tamarkins in CT. I bought my 40 from him. Sherry Krauter also sells LTM bodies. She is a bit further away. Both places you would end up with a serviced camera.

 

[pesphoto]

Tamarkins sounds familiar for some reason. Maybe I'll look them up. Thanks

 

[MP/CLE]

I have never been disappointed in KEH, and they rate extremely conservatively... both the bodies and lenses I bought were rated "excellent" but in my book they would have been mint with no sign of use.