Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/01/29

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Subject: Re: IIIc vs. IIIf
From: Marc James Small <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 15:10:36 -0500

There is no substantial difference in the durability of a IIIc or a IIIf;
the large runs of the IIIc were from the end of the '40's, half the
production being from 1949 and 1950.  The IIIf's date from 1950 to 1957, the
black-dial from 1950 to '53, and the red-dial from 1954 to 1957.  The bulk
of production was from 1950 to 1954.

Thus, worrying over durability of either is like arguing that MY 1951 Ford
is more reliable than YOUR 1949 Ford.  Could be, but the relative age
becomes a minor factor after four decades.  Upkeep, care, use, those are
what determine reliability.

My first Leica, which I still own, is a IIIc.  Since acquiring that jewel,
I've had a bunch of IIIf's -- bd, rd, and rd/st.  When I found I could get
$1000 for the rd/st and not much less for the others, they got sold.  The
IIIf's were nice -- but my APDOO cost me $25 and my Geiss Kontakt $15, and
these make my IIIc as flexible as a IIIf rd/st.

Marc



msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!