Re: [Leica] Old Leica

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

Whoo! George!
I saw the GPYLE in the header, and just knew, absolutely knew that Gomer
Pyle was a LUGger!
Seriously, the IIIa is a sweet camera. I have a model c.1939, and they are a
bit smaller than the later IIIc and IIIfs (I, and II models as well).
If you want the whole shebang cleaned- including the lenses, I would suggest
John Van Stelten at The Focal Point. I know that Sherry will clean lenses,
and LTMS- but her turnaround on LTM cameras is about 6 months as she
concentrates on the Ms. Don Goldberg does a fine job on the cameras, but I
frankly don't know if he does lenses. John does both, I know, and as a
matter of fact- he just recalibrated the shutter on my IIIa.
I probably have over $500 invested in mine, an probably have too much money
put into it to get it back by selling it, but the panache of using a 60+
year old camera, and getting great photos with it is absolutely priceless!
Last I checked- John charges $170 for a CLA, and about $80 for CLA the lens.
The Summar is a really nice lens, soft working wide open, but reasonable
sharp from about 5,6.... I regret now selling mine, though the 50 Elmar is a
"nicer, newer" lens!
If the beamsplitter in the rangefinder is not too bad (IIIcs are the worst)
and you intend to keep it, the money is probably well spent!
Dan ( If I do'd it, I'll get a whippin'...... I do'd it!) Post

- ----- Original Message -----
From: GPYLE <gpyle@netnitco.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 3:37 PM
Subject: [Leica] Old Leica


> My dad used a Leica llla for many years but set it aside many years ago
and
> hasn't used it since.  Yesterday he gave the camera to me.  It is not a
> pretty sight but still it brings back many memories of my dad "the
> photographer".  The shutter is broken as well as the film wind.  The
> leatherett covering is starting to peel in one small spot but the chrome
is
> still good and not brassy.  The lens is a chrome 50 mm Summar f2 and it is
> so nasty that you can't even see through it anymore.  He also has a
black135
> mm Hektor f 4.5 which is in much better shape but not by much.   I know
from
> the serial number on the camera that it is a circa 1937 vintage.  I assume
> the lenses are also about that old.  I also understand that llla cameras
> were fairly common and probably are not worth much as "collectables"
> nevertheless I'm not looking to sell the camera and prefer to keep it as a
> fond rememberence of days gone by and of my dad.  My question or rather my
> interest would be in determining whether the camera is worth the money it
> would take to restore it to working order.  If not, I'll still keep it as
> because it was my dad's but it sure would be nice to be able to use it
> again.  Comments would be appreciated.
>
> George Pyle
> Crown Point, IN
>