Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Something most of the respondents to this thread are missing is that the original post was asking about opinions on a Zeiss Contax IIa or IIIa, NOT a Leica LTM Screwmount IIa or IIIa. The discussions have mutated to an LTM discussion. Does anyone have PRACTICAL experience on the use of a IIa/IIIa vs. contemporary LTM IIIf, etc. I know about the longer baseline of the Contax, brighter viewfinder on the Leica, smaller LTM bodies, superior Zeiss lenses, more difficult LTM film loading, etc.... But what I would like to know is how does the Contax handle in use? I've never used one and I'm considering buying a IIa w Sonnar 50/1.5 or 50/2 as an alternate tool to my M or LTM's for grins. Does the wheel focusing work well? Skip At 1/3/00 07:28 AM -0500, you wrote: >I've been using a IIIa on and off since I was in high school in 1960. I >bought it for $25 as a second body to supplement my Yashica YF and later >Canon VIT. Recently, after 30 years away from serious photography I started >using it again and its even nicer than I remember. The only problem was that >in addition to 1/1000 sec., which never worked, 1/500 has also stopped >working--slow speeds are still fine. (time for a CLA). I bought a IIIf to >serve as my main camera (should be more reliable--its ONLY about 45 years >old). The shutter on a IIIf is supposed to be smoother and quieter than on a >IIIA, but i haven't noticed any difference. The more widely spaced >viewfinder rangefinder windows on the IIIa might be a slight disadvantage >compared to the IIIf,but I use a Russian universal finder most of the >time--even for the 50. > >In short, I highly recommend a IIIa as a 2nd Leica you can use without >worrying about. - ----------------------------------------------- Skip Williams Westfield, NJ skipwilliams@pobox.com - -----------------------------------------------