Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Nathan! Darn! I am just starting to scan the IIIf manual so Hans Pahlen can post it, but I can help. 1. The Elmar turns freely when collapsed. 2. there is some play as there is a felt or fibre bushing that keeps the tube from being scratched when extended, I believe. 3. To deploy the lens, pull out the front, and as you look at the front of the camera, give 1/8 turn clockwise and the lens will 'lock' in the open position. 4. Speeds are controlled by lifting the know and turning with the shutter cocked! The small arrow on the accessorie shoe will then point to the correct speed. 5. The slow speeds are engaged only when the large shutter speed dial is set to '1-25'- the small speed dial on front should have a detent so that it 'locks' at '25'- released by the small protrusion just above the perimeter. 6. The film counter is reset with the two little 'knob' or bumps on the counter dial. When the film is loaded, you simply move the counter dial anti-clockwise so the '0' lines up with the arrow behind the shutter release button. The IIIf f has flash synch and that is why there is a secondary dial under the main shutter speed dial. The synch dial is notched and the numbers go from 2-20. If the numbers are black, you have a "black dial" IIIf, if they are red... you have, of course, the 'red dial' version. Should you actually use a flash ( electronic/strobe/blitzlucht) the settings are different in order to get the flash to synch properly. The main shutter should be on '25--1' and the synch dial set to '20' for the black dial, and '2' for the red dial. Don't be afraid to just sit and play with the controls- it's the best way to find out how the thing works, and you won't break it doing that! It's built like a panzer tank, and didn't last this long being a flimsy, pitiful piece of dreck! enjoy! and let us see some results!! Dan - -----Original Message----- From: Xavier Logean <xavier.logean@epfl.ch> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Date: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 6:49 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] My new IIIf >Nathan Wajsman wrote: > >> My new IIIf just arrived from the Leica Shop in Vienna, along with a 3.5 >> Elmar. Unfortunately, I still have not gotten hold of a manual, so >> perhaps some of you can help me. As I look and handle the camera, I have >> several stupid questions, and I am afraid to experiment lest I damage >> this 50-year old jewel. >> >> 1) The lens is already mounted on the camera. If I grab it by the ribbed >> front element, I can rotate it freely--is this normal? > >Hi Nathan, > >supposing that the lense is collapsed, you grab it and pull it out and >then, >when it is completely out, you turn it a little bit clockwise and this will >block the lens out. > >> There is also a >> bit of play in the lens, i.e. I can move it sideways and up & down ever >> so slightly--again, is this normal? >> >> 2) To collapse it, I can simply push it in. I am assuming that the lens >> should be in the infinity position when I do that, is this correct? >> > >To collapse it you just have to push it in > >> >> 3) How do I take the lens off? Do I simply turn it and if so, is it >> clockwise or counterclockwise? > >It's like a usual screw: counterclockwise to unscrew. The easiest way is to >block the lens at infinity and then >use the focuss trigger and the small trigger on the other side of the lens >(on the scale of distance) to turn the lens. > >> And does the lens have to be collapsed or >> extended when mounting/dismounting? > >doesn't matter. > >> >> 4) I have no idea how to change shutter speed. I can figure out the slow >> speeds, but how do I set one of the faster speeds? The fast shutter dial >> is in the 25-1 position. When I cock the shutter, it will not move from >> that position. When the shutter is uncocked, the fast dial is somewhere >> between 1000 and B, and turning it has no effect--it simply springs back >> to its position. > >I think you have to pull it up and then turn the shutter dial to the right >speed > >Sorry, I can't help you for that I'm a M user. > >Happy shooting with this jewel! > >Xavier > >> >> 5) Finally, how do I reset the film counter to 0 after loading a film? >> Is it done automatically like on the M series, or is there something >> that has to be done manually? >> >> I am hunting around for the Hove manual reprint, but in the meantime I >> would really appreciate some answers from the screw-mount users here. >> >> Thanks in advance! >> >> Nathan >> -- >> Nathan Wajsman >> Overijse, Belgium >> General photo page: http://members.tripod.com/belgiangator >> Belgium photo page: http://members.xoom.com/wajsman > > >