Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Peter, I would definitely keep the lenses you have if you are on a budget. I use a Leica III and an M3, and as much as i love using both of them, i have to say that if i was pushed, i would sell my Leica III. Why? SQUINTY is exactly my reaction to the Imarect too. I invested in some of the external viewfinders which made life a whole lot better, but i think an M finder is a much better way to go for a glasses wearer, for both composition and focusing. A diopter is quite likely the next thing i will purchase for my M3. The other thing is that there is a variety of lens choices out there, and a big variety of pricing too (Thank God). The pool of old and new is growing rather than shrinking, so often it means keeping your eye out, and having a LOT of patience. I don't own a Nikkor, but i do use the other lenses you have, and i think they're great. It might be worth thinking about selling one if you don't use a particular focal length very much. But definitely keep in mind what dealers may offer you if you/they think the lenses need some work. I think the Summaron is a keeper, but i like wide-angle lenses, and i think this lens makes pretty neat pictures. I'm sure someone here will correct me, but i would have thought a Nikkor 50/1.4 in Leica Thread mount would be pretty collectable now. Anyway, sell the IIIf red dial (which are worth more than the Black dial), then depending on your favourite lens, find an M2 or M3 and shoot like mad! Good luck, and let us know if we've all been unhelpful blithering idiots. Take care, Gary At 12:01 AM -0700 3/7/2000, Peter Klein wrote: >Leica IIIf red dial, no self-timer >Immarect finder (SQUINTY, and that's not a Wetzlar acronym!) >35mm f/3.5 Summaron >50mm f/1.4 Nikkor >90mm f/4 Elmar > >All 3 lenses are in good shape 1950s-vintage user lenses (postwar, coated). > They work smoothly. The 35 Summaron is getting cloudy inside. The 90 >Elmar seems particularly sharp despite some hairline scratches. The 50/1.4 >Nikkor is a great lens, albeit heavy. All 3 lenses have some oil on the >diaphragm blades, but no binding so far. - -- "The difficulty now is that unexceptional adults believe the loss of youthful dreaming is itself "growing up," as though adulthood were the passive conclusion to a doomed activity and hope during adolescence." OO The Uses of Disorder [_]<| Personal Identity and City Life -- Richard Sennett /|\ Gary Elshaw Post-Grad Film Student Victoria University New Zealand http://elshaw.tripod.com/ http://elshaw.tripod.com/photointro.html