Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/06/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I appreciate all of the help in working out the ID of my Leica IIIF which has RD shutter speeds and Serial Number, but a Black Synchro Scale. I just picked up a test roll with several strobe flash shots and the combination of 1/50th and "20" on the synchro scale gave perfect exposures, so I'm now convinced it is a full fledged RD. I'm reminded that this is not my first experience with a synchronized Leica. When I purchased my used Leica IIIa in 1952, it had been modified by E. Leitz, Inc., New York 13, N.Y. and fitted with a Leica Synchronized Flash Unit, Model VIII (there was also a Model VIII-A, which fit the longer base plate of the Model IIIc). This modification involved milling a slot in the circular plate on the bottom of the high shutter speed shaft and providing a new baseplate with adjustible synch settings, a battery-powered flashgun, and connecting cord. This system worked great with Press-40s and other long-duration flashbulbs of the 50s and 60s, but, to the best of my knowledge, was not compatible with zero-delay strobe systems. Am I the only one who used this system?