Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/01/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There is no substantial difference in the durability of a IIIc or a IIIf; the large runs of the IIIc were from the end of the '40's, half the production being from 1949 and 1950. The IIIf's date from 1950 to 1957, the black-dial from 1950 to '53, and the red-dial from 1954 to 1957. The bulk of production was from 1950 to 1954. Thus, worrying over durability of either is like arguing that MY 1951 Ford is more reliable than YOUR 1949 Ford. Could be, but the relative age becomes a minor factor after four decades. Upkeep, care, use, those are what determine reliability. My first Leica, which I still own, is a IIIc. Since acquiring that jewel, I've had a bunch of IIIf's -- bd, rd, and rd/st. When I found I could get $1000 for the rd/st and not much less for the others, they got sold. The IIIf's were nice -- but my APDOO cost me $25 and my Geiss Kontakt $15, and these make my IIIc as flexible as a IIIf rd/st. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!