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what shutter cable for IIIf?


ironringer

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Could the screwmount users please tell me (a novice owner who hasn't used his camera yet; it is away for CLA service) what shutter release cable I should buy for my early 1953 IIIf camera (without delay dial)? I see many cables on eBay, but don't know what one to buy, nor do I know how they grip the knurled ring that surrounds the shutter button. None of the eBay listings shows the fat end of the cable so I am not sure what to buy. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Regards from snowy Montreal

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This is what the release should look like:

 

Vintage Leica Leitz Wetzlar Germany Camera Remote Shutter Release Cable Cord 11" | eBay

 

You can also use an old Nikon release, as they had the same type of attachment. This is another option, if you already have a cable release:

 

Leica LTM Nikon F F2 Widelux Shutter Adapter Cable Release Adapter Nipple Bell | eBay

 

Personally, I would get the original Leitz version, but as it is an auction, it may end up on the pricey side.....

 

Cheers from a snowy but melting Vancouver,

 

Jan

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Thank you for advising what regular large-end Leica cable release to buy. But how does it fasten on to the standard release? The fat end of the cable release seems to have threads inside, but that doesn't match the knurled ring on the IIIf shutter.

Can someone tell me how to replace the standard knurled ring with the Leica "nipple adapter", so I could use any standard-thread (not tapered like Bolex) cable release?

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You can use any standard cable release with one of the adapters shown here: Leica LTM Nikon F F2 Widelux Shutter Adapter Cable Release Adapter Nipple Bell | eBay.

If there's a second hand camera dealer near you they'll probably have one in the bottom of a drawer somewhere; otherwise buy online.

 

On the later screw-mount Leicas (IIIc onwards) the adapter fits inside the knurled ring around the shutter button: there's no need to unscrew the ring. It's only on the earlier cameras that the knurled ring is smaller and has to be unscrewed (and was therefore often mislaid).

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On the later screw-mount Leicas (IIIc onwards) the adapter fits inside the knurled ring around the shutter button: there's no need to unscrew the ring. It's only on the earlier cameras that the knurled ring is smaller and has to be unscrewed (and was therefore often mislaid).

 

I'm not sure that's correct, on my lllf you definately have to take the ring off, it's screwed onto the threads that the adaptor (shown) screws onto. There's no way to fix it to the shutter release otherwise.

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It may depend on the exact style of Nikon/Leica adapter especially if they are third party accessories. Two I have won't fit without unscrewing the collar because the knurled grip goes too far down the outside of the adapter and makes it too fat, 'somewhere' (possibly lost) I have a more refined genuine Nikon adapter that I suspect may fit inside the Leica collar. Either way its an easy solution.

 

Steve

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The attached photo shows that the only place to fit anything is the threaded ring around the base of the release button. It can take either a guard ring or a cable release (or an adapter for one) [edit: or a delayed action device]. I have never seen a guard ring whose inside is threaded. I'd like to see a close-up photo of what jc_braconi used.

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I just found my genuine Nikon adapter, and yes, it does indeed screw on without removing the collar, it fits down between the collar and over the release button and engages the threads without any problems. It is a far more nicely machined piece of metal than my other adapters so delicacy wins.

 

Steve

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Wouldn't have thought it possible. For one, there are not many threads around the base of the release button. For another, there is little space between it and the surround. But if such an adapter exists, it exists. Shows there's things I don't know about.

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The attached photo shows that the only place to fit anything is the threaded ring around the base of the release button. It can take either a guard ring or a cable release (or an adapter for one) [edit: or a delayed action device]. I have never seen a guard ring whose inside is threaded. I'd like to see a close-up photo of what jc_braconi used.

The guard ring is threaded at its base but it let enough clearance to let the bell "glocke" to screw in also on the same screwed part around the shutter release.

(always use genuine parts :rolleyes:)

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I understand now. Thank you. Precise engineering. I think I prefer the kind I have, which is a solid piece of metal that fits on more than just a thread or two. [Edit] Are those a If, IIIf and IIIg? All very good looking, I must say.

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The attached photo shows that the only place to fit anything is the threaded ring around the base of the release button. It can take either a guard ring or a cable release (or an adapter for one) [edit: or a delayed action device]. I have never seen a guard ring whose inside is threaded. I'd like to see a close-up photo of what jc_braconi used.

 

This picture shows that there are two threads at the base of the c/f/g release button. The lower, larger, one is for the knurled ring; the slightly smaller one is for the cable release. IIRC the larger one is fixed to the chassis; the smaller one rotates with the shutter button.

 

The one Leica cable release I've owned, and each of the "bell" adapters, have fitted inside the knurled ring. But it's easy to imagine that some "bells" are thicker and don't do so. Perhaps they were made for the older screwmount Leicas where the knurled ring had to be removed anyway and the OD of the "bell" therefore wasn't important.

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Thank you, John. I had assumed that there was a single thread. The Leitz cable release I got with my first IIIc took the place of the guard ring and must have been made for an earlier model. With my second IIIc I used a "bell" adapter that again required the guard ring to be removed. Obviously I did not look carefully at either body. Nor did I pay attention to this sentence, in the IIIc manual: "A special cable release can be screwed over the release button, between the button and the outer collar." I just looked at my present screw mount body, a Nicca 3-F from 1956-57, and it has a single thread.

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This picture shows that there are two threads at the base of the c/f/g release button. The lower, larger, one is for the knurled ring; the slightly smaller one is for the cable release. IIRC the larger one is fixed to the chassis; the smaller one rotates with the shutter button.

 

.

Absolutely NOT Sir

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