Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/05/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I can't resist this now drawn-out thread. I spent among the most productive (photo. speaking) 18 months of my life--in the Netherlands--making image with two IIIfs, six lenses (three of which I used regularly), and a Minolta PROD (a gift). I exposed 100+ rolls of film, cut the leaders with a penknife (when I cut them at all), and had no problems until the original shutter on one of the IIIfs simply died of old age. I've since had it replaced. I used aux viewfinders for the Russar 20/4.5 (which I bought there) and the Canon 35/1.8. Used the built-in for the Summicron and Summitar, which I used more or less interchangeably. I carried an old Gossen Pilot meter, which worked perfectly. I exposed chromes, color neg, and T400CN: blown exposures were my fault. If you *want* to use an LTM, you'll figure out how to get on with it. I used LTMs exclusively for over twenty years--sold my M3 (stupidly) in College because I had to, and replaced it with the (then) much cheaper IIIfs. It never occurred to me that the VF was "squinty" or otherwise awkward. I *had* to live with it. The diopter adjustment on the IIIf makes it easy to sharpen the rf patch, and I didn't trash my glasses trying to see through the framing window. Having said all this, I use Ms now, mainly for the fast lenses. But a solid, clean IIIf is a practical, fun small camera--and one can derive a lot of pleasure from learning how to use it effectively. Chandos - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html