Re: [Leica] New, old IIIC/F

["Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

Congratulations!


The flash syncs at 1-30th.  There should be a timing adjustment for the 
flash under the shutter speed dial.  Make sure it it set between 1 and 2....

The first thing to test will be the slow shutter speeds, and also make sure 
your 500-1000th speeds are even.  Many times there is shutter tapering, but 
this is adjustable.  I have used International Camera in Chicago with good 
results.

The shutters tend to be noisy on certain models of LTM cameras, with a 
tendancy to sound a bit squeaky.  As long as the timing is ok leave it 
alone.

I am guessing you don't have a lens, and the summitar is a good choice but 
make sure it is in REALLY great condition.

Look for stiff apertures, screwed up aperture blades and also make sure that 
the aperture ring is easier to adjust than the collapable barrel.  If not 
you will be messing with the barrel every time you adjust the aperture.

Also, look out for fungus/haze and front element damage.

A good alternative to the Summitar would be an Elmar 3.5, which is smaller 
and at f 8 on 400 speed film a complete match for newer lenses.  These 
lenses are more plentiful, and seem to have held up better over the years.


Best Wishes,
Dan







>From: "Jason Hall" <JASON@jbhall.freeserve.co.uk>
>Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
>Subject: [Leica] New, old IIIC/F
>Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 22:09:29 +0100
>
>Well guys, I've just received in the post the IIIC factory converted to 
>IIIf
>that I bought on e-bay last week.  My first rangefinder!
>
>Wow!!!
>
>Its like a Swiss watch.  Completely gorgeous, an engineering marvel.  50
>years old and working perfectly.  The shutter curtain appears to have been
>repaired, looks like the old curtain has been cut out close to the seam and
>a new piece cemented in, is this normal as opposed to replacing the entire
>curtain?  Looks like a neat repair anyway!  RF and VF very bright, would
>think the RF is near impossible to use with glasses though.  Shutter speeds
>seem fine, I suspect its been CLA'd in the not too distant past (grease
>under the rewind knob and everything is smooth).  Shutter seems quite noisy
>compared to say an M6, definite "clunk" at the end of its travel, could
>somebody confirm that this is the norm also?
>
>Just managed to stop myself buying a Heliar 15mm today, could've justified
>it as a lens I dont have in my SLR kit.  I'm desperate to get a lens on it
>and shoot some film,  Guess I'll just have to wait for the Summitar!
>
>It seems easy to load, no problem at all.  I've been loading a scrap film
>into it all day and it hasn't failed to advance onto the take up spool 
>once.
>Just slip the end of the leader under the spring clip on the spool and its
>away.  Film canister goes in upside down, right?
>
>What is the difference between shark skin and vulcanite?  The (perfect)
>cover on this one is not dissimilar to that on my R4, slightly finer grain
>pattern and more of a mat finish though.
>
>I don't really plan to use flash with it but what is correct shutter speed
>and BD flash sync setting?  What do the figures on the flash sync dial
>represent?
>
>It's so small!  Will I ever bother with a huge SLR again?
>
>Almost too nice to use!  Only kidding ;)
>
>Anything else I should beware of?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Jason
>

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