Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/05/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dear All, I recently bought, for just over $400, a Leica IIIc with Elmar 5cm f/3.5 lens. Judging from the serial numbers, the camera (420***) and lens (601***) date from about the same time, ~1946/7. The camera is in good condition, vulcanite is intact, VF window is very clear, RF window is a bit dim but visible and the RF is accurate. All shutter speeds seem to work and the 1 second time seems accurate. There is an OKARO orange filter over the left-hand RF window (seen from the rear). The only real sign of wear is that the chrome is partially missing from the slow speeds dial. Also, the take-up spool is difficult to remove but it can be done by hooking a bent paperclip under the spool flange and pullingn hard. It's a stiff fit when pushing it back into place. The camera has a retro-fitted flash socket on the back, between the VF eyepiece and the accessory shoe and an added "synch. contol collar" under the fast speeds dial, with numbers 0 to 20. (Heaven knows what that dial is meant to do, it's "explained" in a Leica IIIf manual I downloaded but it's gibberish to me!) The fast shutter speeds dial has a red 30 in the 30--1 position. Could this IIIc haved been "upgraded" to a IIIf by Leica? The lens is chromium plated, appears to be uncoated and is rather scruffy, with no fogging or fungus but with cleaning marks (a.k.a. scratches) on the front element. It has a distance scale in metres and the old European aperture scale: 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, 18. The focusing helix is dry, stiff and wobbly and I guess it needs cleaning and greasing - an easy do-it-youself job, by the look of it. The lens locks into its extended position OK. However, in its collapsed position it flops loosely in and out if the camera is tilted back and forth. Is it supposed to be like that? There is no sign of any velvet sleeve inside the tube to retain it. Grateful for any advice. Regards, ===== Ray "The trouble with resisting temptation is you never know when you'll get another chance!" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html