Re: [Leica] Barnack IIIF question.

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

Simon-

For a user, the price seems a little high considering that new shutter
curtains and a CLA are necessary; that alone will runt about $250. A CLA of
the lens- I'd figure $45-75 depending on the complexity of the job, but you
are looking at about $300 in repairs- I'd offer no more than about $250,
tops.
I say that because I recently got a IIIc, which looked like it had had new
curtains installed, and was very clean and the shutter was spot on for only
$225!
Also- check the (gulp) eBay listings for recently completed auctions for
IIIf cameras, and cameras with lenses. You can get a ball park idea of what
is being spent.
I use the IIIa- even these oldsters are fairly cheap, and smaller than the
IIIf or IIIc- with an Elmar, and it does indeed make a small package- but
don't get caught 'in the moment' and overspend!!
Dan (buying film with the money I saved!) Post
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Simon Stevens" <simon@camera-craftsman.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 8:15 AM
Subject: [Leica] Barnack IIIF question.


> Hi all,
>
> I wonder if a luglurker can ask a quick question? I have seen a IIIF
> black dial for sale in an as-is condition for $500 and I'm wondering if
> this is a good price. The serial number checks out as being 1951 and the
> 50mm f3.5 Elmar appears to be clean and coated but I haven't been able
> to verify the year of production. The serial number is 941XXX, and maybe
> someone could identify it from that. It also has a rather nice
> detachable hood and lens cap. The body itself seems quite clean but it
> is missing the black trim which goes around the viewfinder eyepieces and
> the shutter curtains are cracked and dried up looking, although the
> shutter seems to run smoothly.
>
> This isn't something I need, but I had a IIIa before I got my M4P and
> the 3.5 Elmar has a quality which even the Summicron doesn't match and
> the idea of a coated one with hood is attractive - as is a really small
> and pocketable camera in general. But price is a consideration.
>
> So my questions are: Is this a reasonable price, and how much would the
> repair likely cost me?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Simon Stevens
>