Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/11/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]PhilFo, firstly for less than $20, you don't have to think about it. Just buy it. The decision comes later regarding whether you want to spend the money to have shutter and the finder repaired. If not you are only out $20 and who knows it might have some useful spares in it. I have a 111c from the same period. It is very clean BUT needs new shutter blinds. Here the cost is prohibitive compared to another clean 111c in working condition (still allowing for a CLA). You would expect to pay for a CLA for any 111c that you acquire (just had done by previous owner or to be arranged by you). Shutters that sound "accurate" are very unlikely to be so. That would be normal and the CLA should cover that, at least down to 30th sec. Paying for blinds and finder repairs is quite a different thing. Everyone dreams of picking up a bargain that they can just get a bit of work on. Almost certain that it will cost more than you expect. You really need to be practical and get a good idea of what it will really cost to turn into a user. You might as well start with one that is clean externally and has at least a functional rangefinder. Best of luck and let us know how you go. Cheers hoppy -----Original Message----- Subject: [Leica] My 1st IIIc purchase The camera shop I work for has a consignment department which is unfortunately through that e-auction site that shall not be named. Anyways, the guy who handles the consignments is a really honest man & I trust his assessment of cameras. I haven't had the chance to handle the camera since that department is across town. The camera in question is a post-war IIIc ser #432xxx. That puts it in 1946-47. The shutter speeds are all accurate with just a small amount of lag in the 1 second speed. Rangefinder is completely inoperable for all intents & purposes. The chrome is somewhat pitted & vulcanite all intact. No scratches or dents, just a mild amount of brassing. The big problem is that the shutter supposedly leaks quite a bit. I can probably get this camera for less than $20 and I trust the source in their description of it. As the RF isn't working, I'd be using it with my wide lenses & scale focusing (15mm, 28mm and 35mm.) So, would it be worth it for me to buy it in this user condition and have the shutter curtains replaced as well as the body generally CLA'd? OR, would I be better off buying a camera that already works? thanks, PhilFo _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information