traveler_101
American abroad
This is probably the dumbest of dumb when it comes to questions. But you have to wonder why those of us who shoot Leitz cameras do so? After all, there are other options well short of going digital. Why not a Leica M or a modern CV Bessa? Or fixed lens RFs? Why not use cameras that have semi-automatic exposure?
In a recent post using a Leica IIIf was referred to doing it "the hard way". Yup. Makes me wonder why . . .
Well perhaps for most of you the Barnack is a kind of oddity that gets only occasional use. Or perhaps your level of use has changed over the years. In my case I find myself trying to replace it, but coming back to it for some reason.
In a recent post using a Leica IIIf was referred to doing it "the hard way". Yup. Makes me wonder why . . .
Well perhaps for most of you the Barnack is a kind of oddity that gets only occasional use. Or perhaps your level of use has changed over the years. In my case I find myself trying to replace it, but coming back to it for some reason.
wallace
Well-known
Beside many other cameras I own a IIF which has been overhauled some years ago.
This is my first choice for biking trips. Compact and reliable. Period.
This is my first choice for biking trips. Compact and reliable. Period.
guardado1213
Established
Its not a dumb question at all. I own a Leica IIIa that i picked up while back and i find myself using it more and more lately. While there are more viable options out there, as you listed, there is something about Barnack's that are so alluring. I myself still use my Barnack because its a fun, slow, and methodical way of photographing, where i find myself caring less about the actual result but more focused on the process, which i personally find enjoyable.
There's no one size fits all when it comes to camera choice. What's uncomfortable to one person could be completely comfortable to another. We don't all photograph the same way, with the same efficiency, and the same purpose. One thing I know though is that these cameras are damn cool and are fun!
BillBingham2
Registered User
T101,
Not even close to a dumb question. Several good answers come to mind.
Size, simplicity, robustness, lots of different glass options, feel, reuse are the ones I can try and speak to.
As mentioned before, size, for full manual interchangeable lens control not at lot better out there. A collapsible 50 fits in most jacket pockets with room to spare, with respect to pants, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary, US saying that it you might be able to get the same, but then again you may not).
Simplicity is why I love most rangefinders. I became addicted to photography in the early days of automatic exposure and learned to love manual everything (yes even flash). For me it's second nature, actually less of a worry.
Robustness, while I haven't ever seen a Barnack that's stopped a bullet (I have seen Nikon RFs that have) there really isn't much to go wrong as long as you use it. Leica's don't like to sit around and not be used. But that's easy to fix with a CLA.
Glass, Glass, Glass, LOTS-O-GLASS options from new triplets to class sonnars, classic 85/2 Nikkors to STUNNING 25/4 Snapshot-Skopar, you can find that glass that gives you the look you want often at affordable prices.
Feel of a camera is something that you read a bit out here and in a few other places. It's the sign of a great tool (any sort of tool) being able to allow the user to concentrate on the task rather than the use of the tool. For many Barnack users the feel is what makes it loveable.
Reuse is yet another one that I like. I've purchased and sold a lot of new camera gear over the years, and hope to continue (American Capitalist Mindset), but being able to take something that has lived a life and give it another full life, and perhaps one after mine is a wonderful thing.
For me the biggest reason is it's fun.
B2
Not even close to a dumb question. Several good answers come to mind.
Size, simplicity, robustness, lots of different glass options, feel, reuse are the ones I can try and speak to.
As mentioned before, size, for full manual interchangeable lens control not at lot better out there. A collapsible 50 fits in most jacket pockets with room to spare, with respect to pants, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary, US saying that it you might be able to get the same, but then again you may not).
Simplicity is why I love most rangefinders. I became addicted to photography in the early days of automatic exposure and learned to love manual everything (yes even flash). For me it's second nature, actually less of a worry.
Robustness, while I haven't ever seen a Barnack that's stopped a bullet (I have seen Nikon RFs that have) there really isn't much to go wrong as long as you use it. Leica's don't like to sit around and not be used. But that's easy to fix with a CLA.
Glass, Glass, Glass, LOTS-O-GLASS options from new triplets to class sonnars, classic 85/2 Nikkors to STUNNING 25/4 Snapshot-Skopar, you can find that glass that gives you the look you want often at affordable prices.
Feel of a camera is something that you read a bit out here and in a few other places. It's the sign of a great tool (any sort of tool) being able to allow the user to concentrate on the task rather than the use of the tool. For many Barnack users the feel is what makes it loveable.
Reuse is yet another one that I like. I've purchased and sold a lot of new camera gear over the years, and hope to continue (American Capitalist Mindset), but being able to take something that has lived a life and give it another full life, and perhaps one after mine is a wonderful thing.
For me the biggest reason is it's fun.
B2
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
After couple of Zorki I really enjoyed IIf. F series build quality is very high. If you like bw film and RF 50mm lens it is more compact and much more affordable kit comparing to M.
The only real disadvantage is getting cold to handle bellow freezing temperatures.
The only real disadvantage is getting cold to handle bellow freezing temperatures.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Small. Light. Pocketable (with a collapsible lens). Sense of history. Incredible durability (very low cost per year -- I've had my £30 IIIa for over 45 years, under $1 year). Adequate quality. Not really very expensive. Pleasure of handling precision machinery.
You need more?
Cheers,
R.
You need more?
Cheers,
R.
micromontenegro
Well-known
It is an elegant way to shoot.
FPjohn
Well-known
Simple, elegant, inexpensive and fits in a pocket with a mounted Snapshot Skopar. Yours FPJ
Robert Lai
Well-known
They are beautifully made and machined. With the rangefinder magnification on the IIIF and IIIG, the RF is as accurate as that of an M Leica. Plus, you get free diopter changes on these cameras.
The main plus feature for me is that nobody is intimidated by this quaint looking old camera.
The main plus feature for me is that nobody is intimidated by this quaint looking old camera.
lxmike
M2 fan.
I currently shoot a lot of digital, (X Pro1, Xe1 and X100) but my film needs are met by my Leica IIIf, I love how it feels in hand, how cool it looks especially with the 3.5cm and FOOKH hood fitted, I love the fact its a peice of living history in my hand
doolittle
Well-known
A few years ago I bought a 1940 IIIc with collapsible summitar. To be honest I didn't expect to use it as much as I do, got it more as a reasonably priced piece of history. Turns out it's just the ideal pocket camera. Great for cycling or bringing along for a walk. It makes the M feel ridiculously oversized.
Richard G
Veteran
Fun.
It's tiny.
It's Leica photography: scale focus, hyperfocal focussing, presenting exposure.
Minimal controls, always on, no start-up time....
Slow.
Old.
Very old
Fun.
See what Lynnb has been doing with his IIIc in the Gallery recently.
It's tiny.
It's Leica photography: scale focus, hyperfocal focussing, presenting exposure.
Minimal controls, always on, no start-up time....
Slow.
Old.
Very old
Fun.
See what Lynnb has been doing with his IIIc in the Gallery recently.
maxmadco
Well-known
The first Leica's I bought were the M's and found out about the Barnack's afterwards.
Now I have many of them and lenses for them and they are all I use.
They are beautifully made and the machining is outstanding.
Yes they are slower to use but they are more fun for me and are a joy just to look at.
My favorite, wish I had found them first.
Now I have many of them and lenses for them and they are all I use.
They are beautifully made and the machining is outstanding.
Yes they are slower to use but they are more fun for me and are a joy just to look at.
My favorite, wish I had found them first.
Richard G
Veteran
When you're out with your shiny >$10,000 dollar rig of M240 and super fast aspheric prime lens you can smile smugly that at home or in the bag you've got a few hundred dollars worth of 80 year old jewel with a hazy f3.5 collapsible 50. You are a proper Leica photographer after all....
aoresteen
Well-known
Any lens wider than 28mm needs a separate viewfinder, meaning that the M viewfinder is redundant.
My If is more efficient than using an M body with an uncoupled UWA lens.
My If is more efficient than using an M body with an uncoupled UWA lens.
maxmadco
Well-known
One of mine a 1937 IIIa with a Schneider Kreuznach Xenogon 35mm f2.8 lens and a SCNOO
Richard G
Veteran
The M rangefinder patch is a great levelling device with an ultra wide, even with the EVF.
lynnb
Veteran
The first time I picked up a Barnack was 35yrs ago and my first impression was what a beautiful machine. Sadly I didn't get to use it. This year I found one at a camera market at a price too good to refuse. I love it. It's so compact, it's a better fit for my small hands compared to the M4 I borrowed, it's all mechanical, the lenses are tiny compared to SLR lenses. The shutter sound is seductive. The joy of using a precision 66 year old camera is addictive. It's discreet. And it's a Leica!
PS thanks Richard for the compliment
PS thanks Richard for the compliment
Fadedsun
Established
For me, the decision was simple, I wanted to experience a Leica, but knew I couldn't afford any of the M line of cameras. That's when I began researching Barnacks and I realized they were quite affordable! I decided to purchase a iiic and as soon as I had my hands on it, I knew it was something special. It felt perfect. Light enough to hold for a day, and small enough to not attract the eye. It's also gotten the attention of other Leica users sometimes when I'm out with it - I once had a cop approach me telling me how cute the camera was - then he went on about his backstory about his early days in the force; how he was a crime photographer and how he used an M2. Fascinating conversation!
Another highlight for me is the rich history of the cameras themselves. The seller told me the camera was purchased originally by a solider stationed in Germany, who then sold it to him. I love hearing things like this, because it makes the camera all that more enjoyable to hold. Very happy to own a Barnack.
Another highlight for me is the rich history of the cameras themselves. The seller told me the camera was purchased originally by a solider stationed in Germany, who then sold it to him. I love hearing things like this, because it makes the camera all that more enjoyable to hold. Very happy to own a Barnack.