Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Tom, The baseplates for the IIIc and IIIb are not interchangeable. The body of the IIIc and later cameras are 3mm longer than the earlier screw mount cameras. The IIIc cameras represented a major departure in construction method from those of the earlier cameras. The IIIc introduced the die-cast chassis, which Leica has utilized ever since. This allowed for more accuracy, more robust construction and easier assembly. Earlier camera chassis were made up from sheet metal, which took more skill to fabricate, were not as precise and not as strong especially with some of the newer, heavier lenses Leitz was then introducing. Bill Rosauer