Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 9/25/00 6:08:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, billakata@hotmail.com writes: << The camera is a IIIf "red dial". What function does the ASA/Weston setting dial serve? Why is there a black setting and a red setting? >> I have long been troubled by this same question about roulette wheels, as well. I believe you have described what is (or was) commonly known as a "film reminder dial". The flat dial on the back door of the M series (prior to the M6, which uses the dial to set the meter) performs the same function. The black numbers are to be used for black & white, the red for color. Professionals using more than one body for a shoot, with different films, would have found this a useful feature, as would the typical amateur, who might shoot a roll over a period of weeks and need to be reminded as to what was in the camera. Later, superior technology made the reminder dial obsolete by giving us DX coding in plastic bodies with clear plastic windows through which we can now look right at the fim cassette! As we know, Leica insists on continuing to make those heavy old bottom loaders, with no end (or DX coding, thank the Almighty) in sight. I probably should have looked this up... Joe Sobel