Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/13

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Subject: RE: [Leica] M3 or IIIg
From: Skip Williams <skipwilliams@pobox.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 14:20:55 -0500

I really like my IIIf.  As others have noted, IIIg's are usually priced too 
high, unless you can find a beater.

F/stops:   I traded in my continental stopped Elmar 50/3.5 (f/9, 12.5, 
etc.) for a similar version that has modern f/stop numbers, and I'm much 
happier now for that.  I just grew tired of always translating f/stops into 
another scheme.

Lenses:  You either buy 1) 1950's or earlier Leitz, 2) Other Mfgr like 
Nikon or Canon, 3) Modern Leica LTM lenses from Japan (reputedly 1.5x the 
asking price of M-mount!  Ouch!), or 4) New Voightlander 15, 25, 35, 50, or 
75 lenses.  Personnaly, I'll probably get a 50/1.5 Nokton Aspherical for my 
IIIF soon.  It is the equal of the last generation Summicron, and I can use 
it easily on both an M and a LTM body.  I have a 25/4 Skopar and I'm 
already eyeing the 75/2.5 Color Heliar. (God this tears up my pocketbook!)

Knob wind issues:  My IIIf winds pretty easy, but I really would like 
something else sometimes.  I'm saving my pennies for one of Tom's Barnak 
Rapidwinders which will be introduced sometime in early 2000.  I'd buy a 
Leicavit, but I don't want to fork out the bucks.

Skip

   At 12/13/99 11:55 AM  -0500, you wrote:
>Eric,
>
>Screw mount lenses are cheap.  Unless the lens is a collector, the useful
>lenses will be no more than $300-400, usually less.  However, no fast lenses
>other than the 50mm f1.5.  You'll have to make do with f3.5 or f4 for the 35
>and 90s.  The IIIg is a very expensive SM camera and a pretty one will cost
>more than an M3.
>
>If you are going to use the camera, any SM is very pleasant to use.  I enjoy
>using my IIIa even more than using my M6.  The separate view and focus takes
>some getting used to however.  The big plus for an SM is weight and size.
>My IIIa goes easily in a pants pocket and a IIIa with three lenses fits into
>the smallest of fannypacks.  A few minor things about SM cameras:  they are
>harder to use with gloves on than my M6, knob wind isn't all that bad,
>especially if you are left-eyed like me and have to bring the camera from
>your face to wind anyway, the non-modern f stops drive me bonkers (f18,
>f6.3!!!).
>
>
>Jonathan Lee
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Eric Ho [mailto:eric.ho@computer.org]
>Sent: Monday, December 13, 1999 11:19 AM
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: [Leica] M3 or IIIg
>
>
>I already own an M6 and am now considering adding an M3 or IIIg to my
>collection (Christmas gift). Does anyone have any recommendation?  Pros and
>Cons?  I was told by a dealer that Leica is coming up with some newly
>designed screw mount lens.  It make the IIIg very attractive to me...  Not
>sure how "expensive" these screw mount lens are though!
>
>Cheers,
>eh


- -----------------------------------------------
Skip Williams
Westfield, NJ
skipwilliams@pobox.com
- -----------------------------------------------