lens cap and lens hood for leica III

[Richardn]

Hello
I Have just been given my grandfathers old Leica III (which looking up the serial number on the internet I think dates from 1933)
This camera has the elmar 5cmm 3.5 lens.
I have a few questions
1. What size lens cap sdo I need. The camera is in the original leather case but has no lens cap.
2. I understand that these lenses being uncoated suffer a little from flare so is there a lens hood and again what is the best source?
3. I am just running a film through to see how it performs but one thing I haven't done is remove the lens. Is there a nack to this as I don't want to force it.

many thanks

RIchard

[luigi bertolotti]

Welcome, Richard ! You've found the right place...
1) For the record , the lens cap for the Elmar was coded ORVZO, metal, black or chrome with a fine "Leica" traditional logo in front; can be found for cheap, so as other more "modern" 3rd party plastic items that have the same diameter.
2) The original was coded FISON... various version, the more common is chrome with black inner face, fitted with a clamping screw; easy to find, cheap; for the record there is the (also common) FIKUS, adjustable for lenses 3,5 - 5 - 9 - 13,5 cm.
3) The screw mount is robust... keep the lens at infinity focus, so that the knob is secured, and use the force it needs to unscrew keeping the base of the lens body (not the front ring). Difficult that you don't suceed in.

When you want to focus and take pictures, remember that your lens is retractable... you have to extract it completely and turn it gently till you feel it stops (there is a bayonet at the end of the lens tube that must engage).

You say that you are already taking pics ? If so, you have LOADED the film... this is the real problem on old screw mount Leicas....

If you are familiar with scanning film or prints... post some picture here... is the right place, full of lovers of this kind of old gear.

[Richardn]

Thank you for such a helpful reply
I'll keep my eye open for the lens cap and hood (do you know the diameter of the lens cap as I have seen lens caps for sale but the give the diameter rather than the lens it is for?)

Loading the film was certainly a challenge I'm looking forward to seeing the results when I develop the film later this week.

regards
Richard

[luigi bertolotti]

Diameter is 36 mm ... maybe you find some new modern item for sale, I don't know... difficult it is advertised "for Elmar 5 cm"... your lens was discontinued more than 50 years ago... (but is still a very good lens, don't forget)

This english shop has a FISON hood for sale : MW Classic Cameras

Maybe they can provide you also a proper cap.

[jc_braconi]

Originally Posted by Richardn

Thank you for such a helpful reply
I'll keep my eye open for the lens cap and hood (do you know the diameter of the lens cap as I have seen lens caps for sale but the give the diameter rather than the lens it is for?)
regards
Richard

A36

[bill]

Welcome, Richard, and enjoy your "new" III.

One of the nice things about Leica is the commonality of things like lens diameters. The 9cm Elmar and 3.5cm Elmar are also A36, so you can swap not only lens caps and hoods but filters too.

For the record, I have a black plastic push-on cap on my 5cm Elmar, and the original caps on the 9 and 3.5cms. The plastic cap most likely came from a pair of binoculars and was sourced from the bargain bin at my local dealer for a few pence.

Regards,

Bill