[Leica] Leica IIIc

[ruben at rhodos.dk (Ruben)]

Bob and Dons description sounds spot on - I would though expect the price to 
be a bit higher in europa - but even 50-100 USD more you buy into a great 
camera
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Thinkofcole@aol.com>
To: <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 5:37 PM
Subject: [Leica] Leica IIIc


>
> In answer to Duchan, Don Dory writes:
>
> While I love my screwmounts, I would have to question purchasing a  fifty
> or sixty year camera as my first rangefinder.  Before you buy,  try
> loading the camera, are you comfortable with clipping each new roll  back
> 7 sprocket holes in the approved  pattern:
>
> http://www.nemeng.com/leica/003d.shtml
>
> Second, do you  find the separation of the rangefinder window from the
> rather small and  squinty viewfinder window something you can live with
> for your kind of  photography?
>
> Third, do you understand the division of shutter speeds on  different
> dials, how you shift between the slow speed and high speed  train.
> Related, will the rotating shutter speed dial bother you as you  handle
> the camera.
>
> Assuming you have worked through the above, then  look at the camera.
> Unless you have papers proving a recent CLA, assume that  the camera will
> need to be worked on.  Start with the rangefinder patch,  is it bright
> and distinct, or is it hard to see on low contrast  subjects.  In
> relatively dim lighting can you focus?
>
> Next up, set  the top shutter speed to 1/30 and the front speed dial to
> 1.  Trip the  shutter, does the gear train sound even, does it hesitate,
> or does it not  finish the cycle.  If it doesn't finish the cycle, and
> you don't really  want to spend 150 to 200 euro fixing the camera, then
> stop on this model and  move on.  Unless of course the camera is less
> than 100 Euro and you know  a competent repair person.
>
> Assuming the shutter is smooth at one second,  proceed through the
> shutter speeds making sure that the gears sound smooth  and even.
>
> Open the bottom of the camera, does it have the take up  spool?  What
> does the camera smell like?  Mildew is bad, old  lubricant is bad, nice
> clean lubricant smell is good.
>
> Take the lens  off, look at the shutter curtain.  Does it look cracked
> and dry or does  it look like clean black silk?  Trip the shutter or wind
> it to look at  the other curtain, does it look the same?
>
> Last, any purchaser should give  you return privilege after you shoot a
> roll of film to make sure there are no  light leaks or other nasties.
>
> Now, why do I like LTM's?  First, they  are small and handy, almost
> stealthy in use.  There is a huge store of  lenses at relatively cheap
> prices out there in the most common focal lengths;  12mm to 180mm if you
> go somewhat extreme.  If you know how to expose  without a meter, they
> are a delight to use in thoughtful photography.   If you are a bit
> eccentric, then a PLOOT opens up focal lengths way out  there.  Want to
> wind faster; learn to wind with your index finger or  purchase one of
> Tom's Barnack winders.  Two frames a second with a sixty  year old camera
> is not too bad.
> Don
> _dorysrus@mindspring.com_ (mailto:dorysrus@mindspring.com)
>
> I agree with all Don Dory says but if Duchan lives in Germany,  Leica 
> repair
> people should be able to deliver an overhauled late-model IIIc body with 
> a
> late-model lens [ say, an Elmar 50/3.5] at a reasonable price, say no more
> than $250 USD [199 Euros].
>
> The IIIc was made from 1940 to 1951 [ with Serial Numbers from 360,175 to
> 525,000], so anything with numbers beginning from 500,000 would be a late 
> model.
> Wartime models often had flaky chrome because of chrome shortages. The
> 50/3.5  Elmar lens, made from 1924 to 1942, were coated starting with Ser. 
> No.
> 581,501,  so that most 50/3.5 Elmar lenses after that should be suitable.
>
>   Assuming that the seller is honest and he can back the camera,  the
> hardest part --as Don mentioned -- is loading the film and I suggest that 
> Duchan
> actually tries to load a roll of film.
>   If his second finger -- the pointer -- is thick, he may find  it 
> difficult
> to remove the take up spool [on the right side of the camera as he  points 
> it
> toward the subject] so that he can load the film.
> I don't remember if the spring-loaded take-up spool fits the IIIc,  but if
> it does, I suggest he ask the seller to provide it instead of the older 
> one.
> If Duchan is able to load the film, I believe the rest should be  easy.
> For $250, I believe the seller should also give him a clean  Leica case 
> and,
> depending on Duchan's bargaining prowess, a UV filter, hood and 
> instruction
> book, especially the instruction book.
> Regards, bob cole
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information