Re: [Leica] Help me ressurect my grandfathers Leica

["John Black" <jblack@ambio.net>]

Garett:

Your early Leica camera is capable of great photographs but should be
checked out by a competent repair man.  I would recommend Don Goldberg at
DAG Camera repair  (608-838-4769) in McFarland, Wisc as a good place to
start.  It sounds like the shutter is just dry and the whole camera needs a
good cleaning and lubrication.  The 1/1000 speed on the shutter dial will
not completely seat and that is normal (has to do with the spacing of some
holes in a spindle).  The vulcanite (leather) can be replaced but is not
absolutely necessary for function. I would not try to worry with the flash
for the reasons you mentioned and that camera and bottom plate sync will not
work properly with a modern strobe.  If you decide to have it worked over,
be sure to send the lens with it so that the technician can clean and lube
it also.  This camera is not very valuable, especially with the condition
you relate so you may have to think hard about the cost of a CLA Clean, Lube
and Adjust) job.  There is no reason why it cannot take very good pictures
though but you will have to control all aspects of its functions since it is
a pure manual machine.  If you want DAGs address, reply off the list and I
will send it.

Good luck.

JB
jblack@ambio.net
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Garett Sohl <sohl@beet.eng.uci.edu>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 1999 1:21 PM
Subject: [Leica] Help me ressurect my grandfathers Leica


>
> This christmas, my family gave me an old Leica that was
> my grandfathers. It had been sitting in the proverbial
> closet for quite some time. As an amateur photographer
> I'm excited about resurrecting this old beauty and
> shooting with it. It is quite different from my
> EOS gear (as you would imagine), and I have some
> questions...but first about the camera.
>
> After a bit of research, I've determined that it is
> a 1938 Leica IIIb, serial number 265029. It has the
> 50mm Summar lens. The leatherette cover has been
> completely removed, but otherwise it seems to be
> in OK condition. The slow shutter speeds do not
> work very well (slower than 1/4 sec are very
> unreliable), but I understand that is a common problem.
> The shutter speed dial also fails to seat properly
> when the fastest speed (1/1000 sec) is selected.
> The viewfinder is not very bright, but it is OK
> and the rangefinder is also OK. The lens has seen
> better days, but it's a lens. The curtain seems to
> be OK, but I haven't shot any rolls yet...
>
> Other strange items which were found with the camera
> include some flash items: a cylindrical object which
> I assume took flash bulbs of some kind and a folding
> parabolic reflector which connects to it (both made
> by leica). There was also a geiss kontakt flash sync
> and a beautiful Leica cable release.
>
> Now I have some questions and would appreciate any
> help or pointers you could provide.
>
> I'm a bit unclear on the correct way to use the
> Geiss Kontakt flash sync...I understand how it
> connects to the camera, but what shutter speeds
> do I use? Any tips on an economical flash unit
> which can be triggered with this device? Am i
> correct in assuming that the flash tube and
> reflector are not usable since it isn't possible
> to find bulbs and batteries?
>
> Any tips on repairing the slow shutter speeds?
> Is it really necessary? I guess I'm asking if
> the slow speed failures are a sign of a bigger
> problem or if I can ignore them for now and
> use faster speeds with confidence...
> I live in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.
>
> Any hope of replacing the leatherette cover? I
> know that it is purely cosmetic and it actually
> looks kinda cool without the leather, but I was
> just wondering...
>
> Also, could someone give me an estimate of the
> value of the camera? I do not plan
> to sell it, but I was curious.
>
> Any other tips or pitfalls to avoid for a
> amateur photographer who has never used a
> rangefinder?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Garett Sohl
> sohl@beet.eng.uci.edu
>
>
>