Re: I just bought a IIIA

[Alan Bearden <healey@garnet.berkeley.edu>]

At 03:07 PM 1/11/97 -0500, you wrote:
>At 12:14 PM 1/11/97 -0700, Ben W. Holmes wrote:
>
>>I just shook hands over the phone on a IIIA, 50 Summar and 90 Elmar. The
>>camera and 50 are 1937 prod., the 90 is 1949. This is my first screw mount
>>and I'm excited. I should get it next week by mail. Anybody know anything
>>about a "universal finder" for this camera? What is it?
>>
>>It's snowing like crazy here. I cannot see my car. Chris F.: are you here or
>>CA? If you're in CA, stay there, it's much nicer I am certain.
>
>I would presume that a 'universal finder' would be an IMARECT, an auxiliary
>VF used because the TM Leicas do not change frame-lines with a change of
>lens.  Thus, you need an auxiliary VF when a lens of other than 50mm focal
>length is used.
>
>Congratulations on this fine purchase.  The IIIA has the older composite
>body and is not quite as strong as the later IIIc/f/g models, but is
>otherwise a wonderful device.  You can now start accruing some of the superb
>after-market lenses available for this jewel, ranging from the 19mm Canon to
>the 200mm Komura, not to mention the 2X teleconverters available from Komura
>and FED.  This is one rich system!  (I will restrain myself from inserting a
>commercial plug for my forthcoming book on this subject.)
>
>As to California weather versus Colorado weather, please!  Idiots who like
>sun ought to move to dull areas which have nothing else.  Those of us who
>can appreciate good cold, snowy, lousy weather are the ones who should be
>blessed to live in normal climates.  Besides, who needs smog?
>
>Marc
>
>msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
>Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!
>

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Yes, you need the Imarect viewfinder (used at $60- $75).  This finder presents
frames for 35, 50, 90(85) and 135mm focal lengths, and 28mm with an auxiliary
lens.  It has one advantage over even the M-series finders in that it has a
wonderful black surround that further isolates the picture area.  However, it
must be adjusted for distance via a lever on the base.

Alan Bearden