Leica LTM Why do you use such a fidgety camera?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I've been using rangefinders less than a year now. A couple of Nikon's, and recently a IIIc with a couple of lenses. I have to say that there IS a certain amount of fiddling that goes along with shooting the IIIc. But I like it in that it slows me down and take time to think about what I'm shooting. With my D300 I never do that--well to a degree, but not like this. I have a Nikon S3 2000 with the Millenium lens, but I have to say I really like the way the Leica feels in my hand(s). Smaller, but with about the same amount of heft, and that little Summaron is really a neat little lens.
 
ray*j*gun said:
Its fairly humorous that of all my 35's (and I have over 20 in that caliber) I usually grab one of the Barnacks whenever I want to shoot for fun. And lately they have provided the ice breaker at more than one social gathering.

Ray
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That happened to me yesterday. I was suppose to grab the digital D80 - but my hand went for the IIIf and the Heliar. People do seem to be more forgiving of the old Barnack.

What I find humorous is when someone bends my ear about some newly released or about to released digital wonder and when their current camera is working just fine.
 
ray*j*gun said:
Well.....I was using Barnacks when they were still being manufactured. I'm giving away my age a bit
Ray
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Now that you mention it I too was using a Barnack when they were still in production....:eek:
 
Funny, my IIIf isn't fiddly at all. Seems to get what I want every time.

Same with the Pentax MX. Heck, we had a "group photo", and I got the self-timer shot in seconds-the K10D guy never did figure it out...
 
The Barnack cameras are pretty dang simple. I don't see what's so fussy about them. Now DSLRs on the other hand...
 
I think the 'fiddling' is part of the fun of using a Barnack camera. And you are fiddling with a very solid and easy to use piece of kit.

I actually find my digital Ricoh GX100 is more fiddly to use because changing something like the white balance or exposure involves presing numerous tiny buttons and navigating through hard-to-see screen menus where I can never remember what function is in whatever sub-menu.
 
Solinar said:
I do use the built in finder on the IIIf about a third of the time, but over the past few years I've been able pick up Leitz 1:1 finders from 35 through 135 whenever they were available for under $90 USD each - except for the SBLOO - which was $125 thanks to a heads up on the forum. The SHOOC 135 which I've used twice in three years cost only $50. It's something else to fiddle with I know, but its nice to be able to shoot with both eyes open.
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I love the way the accessory finder adds to the appearance of a Barnack camera. These cameras have the look of a finely tuned instrument, the complete opposite of your "point n shot". It is the feeling that I am working with the best that, that era had to offer, is what attracts me to
use these cameras. I never get those feelings from any of my "digital wonders".
 
The Barnack design is a finely tuned instrument. More so than some more modern gear to in include not only rangefinders - but even many in the SLR realm.

With a wide angle lens mounted, the Barnack can easily be used as a scale focus point and shoot - provided that the aperture and shutter speeds are set correctly. Not much to it doing it this way except wind, aim and frame.

In low-light there is still the option to set the focus one of my vintage lenses that usually have a 180 degree focus adjustment. Modern lenses for an SLR seem to have only 45 to 90 degrees of focus adjustment.
 
Now that I've got a M3 i've been shooting with my IIIC less, I'm gonna load it tomorrow and shoot with it :D I love the way the camera fits the hand.
 
I find shooting with dual finder relaxing.
The magnification on the RF viewer makes a whole lot of sense and it's useful.

I almost wish that Leica continued that on their modern cameras. Or have models that do have that. Can I order an a'la carte MP with that? :p
 
I use lllb as my main camera now; I like the viewfinder and rangefinder being in different windows and the dioptre. The camera is small but solid and all control are very smooth. I get much better pictures than with all my modern cameras. I have a severe physical disability but enjoy bottom loading with trimmed film.

Put simply it seems to suit me and is a joy to use; I wish I had tried it 30 years ago. Find a camera that you like and make many pictures with it;)

John
 
Oddly, I do so much now with my folders (which are all scale focus cameras) that when I go to the 35mm Barnacks they feel very convenient since I don't need a hand held range finder. My folders don't even have accessory shoes so I get the range hand held. Mind you, I own the likes of Nikon Fm3a, Bessa R2s and an M6 classic. But the LTM's are by far my best shooters.

Ray
 
I like my Leica IIIa with Elmar or Summar because it is so light, lighter than a IIIc, lighter than any screwmount Canon. Also, the RF has a new mirror, and I have the shutter speeds very accurate.
 
I use my IIf since it is compact and highly streamlined when used with a 50/3.5 elmar. The strap lugs are distracting, but my IIf is in nice shape so I dare not to remove them. The built-in finder is good for casual candids, for accurate framing I need a finder with parallax compensation, something most finders for 50mm and shorter have not. Most superwides nowadays come with their own finder anyway, and there is always the excellent CV 28/35 minifinder.

For telephotos I always turn to my evil SLR....
 
I use fiddly cameras like my Leica IIf for the same reason that I still use film: because it gives me more satisfaction.
 
Why use a fiddly camera, such as a IIIc? Hmm... probably because...
.. I find big and bulky cameras sometimes overbearing and clumsy.
.. there's a definite feel of precision.
.. there's a sense of open space and freedom.
.. it puts a smile on my face seeing peoples reactions (or lack of) when photographing outdoors.
.. it looks like no modern cameras.
.. it has no computer beeping at me.
.. there's an ego massage when someone sees, and points out, that it's a Leica.
.. of how people react when they're handed the Leica.
.. it's a piece of history.
.. there's no distracting lights in the viewfinder.
.. such cameras are actually a joy to use.
.. *I'm* in control!
​

As for the Standard... well... :D
 
I don't get this - who needs a separate finder for each lense ?
With a IIIc , Zorki 1 / s , 1933 II [ pure indulgence ] even my M 8 , i seem to know what
each lens will yield .
Once focus is checked , at most apertures , it will be fine , as will exposure if conditions don't alter immensely .
This is pure freedom from the demands of an enormous SLR .. though a Zenit S is fine too !
dee
 
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