RE: [Leica] New, old IIIC/F

[Greg.Chappell@bankofamerica.com]

Welcome to the club! The numbers around the shutter speed dial are to set
the various delays for the different types of flash bulbs in those days. I
don't have my book regarding the flash settings here at the office & I'm
sure someone else will give you that before I can get to it & send another
message. The rangefinder is actually easier to use than you think,
especially if you have the variable dioptre adjustment. At 1.5
magnification, your WORKING rangefinder base is actually longer than the
49mm of the Classic M6, M4, M2. The only problem is the 50 only viewfinder,
although that's all I have with my IIIf & I'll probably never buy another
focal length for it.

Typically the whole curtain would have been replaced, as one of my IIIf's
was, although I doubt any original Leitz curtains are still available. I
have heard of curtains being fashioned by repairers & that's what sounds
like what was done with yours. The loose grease sounds a bit strange.
Usually if work is done by competent repairman (or woman!) you'll never see
anything like that.

I say use it with fast B&W (TMax 400 or 3200)film & forget flash. It make a
great take-everywhere-and-not-miss-an-image tool. Before doing anything
important, try a roll of fast film & make sure the curtains are light tight.

Greg

- -----Original Message-----
From: Jason Hall [mailto:JASON@jbhall.freeserve.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 1999 4:09 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] New, old IIIC/F


Well guys, I've just received in the post the IIIC factory converted to IIIf
that I bought on e-bay last week.  My first rangefinder!

Wow!!!

Its like a Swiss watch.  Completely gorgeous, an engineering marvel.  50
years old and working perfectly.  The shutter curtain appears to have been
repaired, looks like the old curtain has been cut out close to the seam and
a new piece cemented in, is this normal as opposed to replacing the entire
curtain?  Looks like a neat repair anyway!  RF and VF very bright, would
think the RF is near impossible to use with glasses though.  Shutter speeds
seem fine, I suspect its been CLA'd in the not too distant past (grease
under the rewind knob and everything is smooth).  Shutter seems quite noisy
compared to say an M6, definite "clunk" at the end of its travel, could
somebody confirm that this is the norm also?

Just managed to stop myself buying a Heliar 15mm today, could've justified
it as a lens I dont have in my SLR kit.  I'm desperate to get a lens on it
and shoot some film,  Guess I'll just have to wait for the Summitar!

It seems easy to load, no problem at all.  I've been loading a scrap film
into it all day and it hasn't failed to advance onto the take up spool once.
Just slip the end of the leader under the spring clip on the spool and its
away.  Film canister goes in upside down, right?

What is the difference between shark skin and vulcanite?  The (perfect)
cover on this one is not dissimilar to that on my R4, slightly finer grain
pattern and more of a mat finish though.

I don't really plan to use flash with it but what is correct shutter speed
and BD flash sync setting?  What do the figures on the flash sync dial
represent?

It's so small!  Will I ever bother with a huge SLR again?

Almost too nice to use!  Only kidding ;)

Anything else I should beware of?

Thanks.

Jason