Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've been using a IIIa on and off since I was in high school in 1960. I bought it for $25 as a second body to supplement my Yashica YF and later Canon VIT. Recently, after 30 years away from serious photography I started using it again and its even nicer than I remember. The only problem was that in addition to 1/1000 sec., which never worked, 1/500 has also stopped working--slow speeds are still fine. (time for a CLA). I bought a IIIf to serve as my main camera (should be more reliable--its ONLY about 45 years old). The shutter on a IIIf is supposed to be smoother and quieter than on a IIIA, but i haven't noticed any difference. The more widely spaced viewfinder rangefinder windows on the IIIa might be a slight disadvantage compared to the IIIf,but I use a Russian universal finder most of the time--even for the 50. In short, I highly recommend a IIIa as a 2nd Leica you can use without worrying about. Bob Marvin >From: <bruce5@attglobal.net> >To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> >Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2000 8:18 PM >Subject: [Leica] Contax RF & Durability Issues > > >> Has anyone ever used a IIa or IIIa, or know of a reliable source for >> purchasing? >> From what I've been able to learn so far, it sounds like a nice camera >> for the money, but I haven't spoken to anyone who actually uses one. >> >> Finally, would it be a good choice to carry in outdoor situations, like >> cold weather camping, hiking, fishing, etc? I like how easily I can >> take the M anywhere, but due to the cost, I'm still a little too >> protective of it in some situations. Maybe when it gets its first >> scratch, I'll relax, but in the meantime... >> >> Thanks, >> >> Bruce