t3hx Posted November 8, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well I stolled into an antique store in Houston and saw some cameras piled in the back of the store... So naturally I start digging and see some over priced Kodaks and other cameras... Then I see a tan leather case that says leica. Now Ive seen them but never thought I would get one I open the case and inside is a decent looking camera... thru help from another for (Texas Photo Forum) I found out that it was the IIIF red scale... I payed $60 for the camera... the lens was the standard elmar 50/3.5 it looks decent it cocks and fires and the blades look good But according to some people in the other forum there are only a few places that can actually CLA this camera and I was wondering what you people think about that. And is there any advice or any thing I should know? Ive been trolling thru this forum and have already learned a lot thanks in advance Gabe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 8, 2009 Posted November 8, 2009 Hi t3hx, Take a look here Leica IIIF Red Dial. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marke Posted November 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 8, 2009 Woah! $60, and with the lens! That's great, Gabe. I have a IIIf RD myself, with a coated, 15-blade Summitar. I know that DAG (Don Goldburg) can do a CLA on these, as I asked him about it at the Chicago camera collectors show last spring. I would give it a test yourself though. Run a roll of filmthrough it at all the shutter speeds. You might find it doesn't need anything. Mine didn't. But then, I didn't pay only $60! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted November 8, 2009 well I have a basic understanding of cameras... the leica is the wierdest camera I have ever used... ( maybe because its the only real one?) but when I cock the camera 25.50.75.100.200 all seem to be firing... but 500 and 1000 catch for some reason... so i know something isnt right with it... but its not something im familar with... i have canon, and pentax slrs... heck even a yashica TLR but this is a completely different beast oh and the original leather case was with it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 8, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 8, 2009 Hi, Make sure the slow speed dial is set to the fastest speed (1/25) if you are shooting at a higher speed than that, and set the main dial only after you have wound on. It is unusual for the high speeds to fail if the slow speeds are working, but for the silly price you paid its worth having the camera CLA'd, you still have a bargain! The camera is pretty straightforward to use - remember to extend the lens and take off the lens cap! Focus with the rangefinder then look through the viewfinder to frame your shot. The lever around the rewind lever is dioptre adjustment for the rangefinder. Make sure the rewind lever near the shutter dial is pushed fully home (in) as that can cause the shutter to malfunction if it is moved slightly out. You should be able to find an instruction manual on line if you search with Google. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted November 9, 2009 So... I ran film thru the camera... kodak gold film I had and it came back terrible... I didnt get one single frame out of it... there was a funny spot in the middle of some of the frames... on other frames it looks like a sliver of something but I cant really tell what...it is.. im going to try to scan it and see... any of you guys seen that before? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 9, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 9, 2009 Post a couple of images so we can see the results. You did extend the lens before shooting didn't you? Its also possible that the shutter curtains could have holes in them, but can't really tell you anything without seeing the images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted November 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) http://www.flickr.com/photos/43460869@N08/4089382395/ that was the only frame that kind of came out... the rest had that blob thats on the right side of the frame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 9, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 9, 2009 Were you shooting at night? Did you use a meter? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 9, 2009 Hard to tell much from that image, it looks to be very underexposed, and we can't tell if that is fogging on the right or something that was in front of the lens - post one of the 'blobs'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted November 9, 2009 that was in a resturant with great lighting and at 1/25 or 1/50 at 3.5 on the elmar.... and that blob is on another frame technically Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 9, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 9, 2009 I'm sure that the main problem is simply underexposure - did you take a meter reading as Andy asked, or was the exposure guesswork? It's impossible to tell what that 'blob' is, it could be fogging but it could also be a processing issue or - dare I say it - a finger in front of the lens! If I were you I'd shoot another roll, in daylight, taking note of the meter reading etc., and see how they come out (use colour or B&W neg film) as a process of elimination. Alternatively just put the camera in for a CLA - the chances are that it's likely to need one in any case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted November 9, 2009 Yes I talked to Youxin guy and said it would be about 100 so thats what im going to do... Ill make sure to up date you guys and thanks for the help Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Purling Posted November 14, 2009 Share #13 Posted November 14, 2009 A genuine IIIF RD for $60.00? Are you sure you have not made a mistake in setting the speeds or any other part of the operational sequence of making a Leica image? If the shutter curtains are perished it looks like streaks vertically down the negative. A blob in one position could be a pin hole in the shutter curtain. Lets see a well exposed frame before we draw any firm conclusions. For the price you paid I would have expected the camera to have been fit for parts only. If it does need a rebuild, I would not be surprised. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted November 14, 2009 No its in really good condition I talked to a guy here in houston and let him look at it... he said the shutter speeds need to be adjusted and needs to be relubed and said it would be good to go... even Youxin said the same thing from what I showed him on negatives... I might need the shutter replaced... but the rangefinder is still sharp It really was an impressive find. Ofcourse I called the former owner of the camera to see if he had anything else I said "Hi i bought the leica rangefinder you had and was wondering if you had more stuff" he says... "whats a rangefinder?" Just pure luck that he didnt know what he had... the serial number I gave to Youxin indicated that it was a 1954 IIIF Red dial I went later to see if I could find anything else and found a Voigtlander Bessa II with a color Skopar lens and compur rapid shutter.... for $50 The guy just didnt know what he had Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthman_1 Posted November 15, 2009 Share #15 Posted November 15, 2009 Holy crap! Good job! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t3hx Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted November 15, 2009 the bessa II mechanically looks like it is better condition than the IIIF but cosmetically it doesnt look that great... hopefully ill have the IIIF up and running after I sell the Bessa II Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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