Why Buy Leica Screw Mount Cameras?

[Erik van Straten]

When you want to try a black paint Leica and not spend too much money you should try a Leica II from the early thirties.

Erik.

 

[Darshan]

Beautiful.

 

[Roger Hicks]

If you want a lens almost as small as the 50/3.5 Elmar without the fiddly aperture setting, consider a first-rate specimen of the Summar 50/2.0. Very small, and the aperture isn't fiddly. At f/3.5 and smaller, it's a fine lens. Wide open, it's, well, "distinctive".

BUT watch out for scratched front elements (very soft glass) and dirt on the inside of the front group: the domed diaphragm 'spits' dried lubricant. And be aware that the minimum aperture is f/12.5 (at least as far as I recall -- I've not owned one for decades). Good ones are amazingly good. Bad ones can be awful.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rico]

To me, the biggest attraction of Barnack is size versus an M. Okay, they look nice, too. 🙂 I chose a prewar model for even smaller footprint. A small lens keeps the weight balanced, and an external VF helps you see clearly (and makes moot the seperate RF viewport issue).

 

[Loman]

I Think they are incredible cameras, I happen to love the seperate rangefinder/viewfinder, also I think that one of things that people generelly seem to dislike the most about these cameras is a big plus: Their small viewfinders as long as it's clear it makes you focus on generel composition rather than getting lost in part of the scene (which on a side note is why I never fancied olympus om cameras).
Oh and by the way Like most other people here I just love how small they are.

 

[David Hughes]

I'll go with the others about the II's being better as I/1,000th is seldom used or needed and ditto the slow speeds. The II's have the more usable range. There's little to choose between the wide and close VF and RF eyepieces as both are difficult at times and the VF's are hard to use with glasses on. The earlier II's don't, of course, have that awful blank cover where the hiole for the slow speed's dial goes.

As for 5cm/50mm lenses the Elmars can still hold their own and un-coated ones are easily and cheaply cleaned etc. The same goes for the Summar but getting a good one can be expensive and frustrating at times. Also the lens caps for Elmars and Summars are easy to get. A pity I can't say that about the Summar. Best of all is the Summitar and the later the better as the coated ones are over the top, but caps and hoods will be a problem. Caps being expensive and hoods being a weird "barn doors" design. A modern, M series type of lens hood would be the best. I'd love to know how to get one...

When all's said and done the screw thread models are a historical experience in my view. I don't mind it for the pleasure of it but give me the CL or an Olympus for everyday RF fun.

Regards, David

 

[Vince Lupo]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a II as well for at least the last 10 years. However, every time I decide to buy one, the one thing that prevents me from doing so is the lack of strap eyelets on the body. Now, one could certainly use an ever ready case for carrying the camera around one's neck, but it's just one more layer of inconvenience added to this camera.

One could probably achieve the same effect (albeit with the slow shutter speed dial!) with a black-bodied III, which is what I've ended up doing.

 

[Pastor Chris]

So many comments to agree with. I personally love the history behind these little gems; wondering where they have been and what they have seen. I find them to be great conversation starters with folks as
I walk around town on a Sunday afternoon with a 70 year old camera around my neck. They can open many doors.

 

[coelacanth]

I, too, actually like separate VF/RF sometimes. When I zone focus, there is no RF patch to distract me and I can just use beautiful 1:1 SBOOI, and when I need to focus precisely, full screen, magnified RF window is actually easier to focus compared to M.

I love the compact size and I totally agree that it's a great conversation starter. 🙂

Posted this somewhere before. My IIIf RD and Elmar 50/3.5.

With Nikkor-HC 50/2 and SBOOI VF.

 

[raid]

Far too many bells and whistles on a screwmount with it's fiddly rangefinder etc ... far better off to get a Leica 1 or a Standard.

Now there's simplicity ... and it's smaller still!

I use the Standard far more often than the IIIf. It is in sexy black and with two accessory holders, modified from having a VF.
These cameras are useful with very wide angle lenses that cannot be used on cameras with meters, such as the Canon 19mm 3.5 and the W-Rokkor 21mm 4.0.
The end product is a very compact camera with lots of history behind it.

 

[coelacanth]

I still dream about getting either II or Standard. that tiny black body is just drooling good... Must stay strong...

 

[Vics]

I don't have a Barnack camera, but I do have an M3. It's bigger and a lot heavier than a Nikon FM, but I love it. I think I'd love a IIIc with a 3.5 Elmar also! I want SMALL!
Vic

 

[coelacanth]

I don't have a Barnack camera, but I do have an M3. It's bigger and a lot heavier than a Nikon FM, but I love it. I think I'd love a IIIc with a 3.5 Elmar also! I want SMALL!
Vic

Vic, This is M2 & Modern Elmar vs IIIf & Legacy Elmar. You should try it. it is really small and light. 🙂 And difference is more obvious when you hold them.

 

[je2a3]

I still dream about getting either II or Standard. that tiny black body is just drooling good... Must stay strong...

More encouragement?

😉

 

[wolves3012]

I bought a IIIC after having acquired a few FED and Zorki "copies", mainly to experience the "real deal". I like the pocket-size form (with a collapsible), inherently light-tight body, simplicity etc. I happen to like the separate VF/RF but that's a personal thing. Plus they are damn cute, a true classic and affordable. What's not to like? You can usually use hyperfocal-focussing for quick shots so they don't have to be slow either.

 

[raid]

In comparison to M3 and M6:

 

[coelacanth]

More encouragement?

😉

Awww. Stop it!! 😀

Anyone got size comparison shot of older (like II) and newer (like IIf) barnack with rf?