snowboardpunk Posted November 10, 2017 Share #1 Posted November 10, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey guys, I just bought a leica iiif online. Its supposed to arrive next week and this is my first leica and film camera purchase. Was wondering what I should do to check and make sure everything is working! Also needed a couple recommendations on lenses. I was looking at the canon 50mm ltm 1.4, which I heard was very good but if you have something else in mind let me know. Do I need a separate mount for the canon lens? Or will it just screw on? Also need a recommendation for something a little longer. Something between a 85-135mm but was also wondering if I needed a separate viewfinder? What would you guys recommend for a viewfinder. Budget is around 300 for the lens and viewfinder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 10, 2017 Posted November 10, 2017 Hi snowboardpunk, Take a look here leica iiif. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted November 10, 2017 Share #2 Posted November 10, 2017 Hey guys, I just bought a leica iiif online. Its supposed to arrive next week and this is my first leica and film camera purchase. Was wondering what I should do to check and make sure everything is working! Also needed a couple recommendations on lenses. I was looking at the canon 50mm ltm 1.4, which I heard was very good but if you have something else in mind let me know. Do I need a separate mount for the canon lens? Or will it just screw on? Also need a recommendation for something a little longer. Something between a 85-135mm but was also wondering if I needed a separate viewfinder? What would you guys recommend for a viewfinder. Budget is around 300 for the lens and viewfinder. How to check it's all working OK? Load a film and get shooting! Most likely potential faults could be shutter times being off or sticky, pinholes in shutter curtains, dim rangefinder, light leaks. The rangefinder will be obvious (clean the rangefinder and viewfinder windows with a cotton bud when you get it). As for lenses, you really should get the 5cm f3.5 Elmar. I think this is an essential lens for any Barnack user, and it's the lens that Leica built their reputation on. If you can, find a Red Scale lens (later version) but the key thing with any older lens is to get one in fine optical condition (no haze/fungus). For a longer lens, the 9cm Elmar is the obvious choice, and one of the (parrallax correctable) Leica turret finders. You can find a user manual for the camera on the web http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_if_iif_iiif/leica_if_iif_iiif.htm Trim the film leader before loading too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted November 10, 2017 Share #3 Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) The Elmar would be best if you can get one...but it may be a little more than $300. The Canon you mention will work well...just make sure the glass in the front is nice and clean. It will work screwed straight into the camera...i have one, a good lens. Enjoy your new camera, cheers. Edited November 10, 2017 by david strachan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted November 10, 2017 Share #4 Posted November 10, 2017 The Canon 50 1.4 is nice, but is large enough to block a bit of the view in the viewfinder on a IIIf. (The VF on a Canon body is oriented differently, so it is better on a Canon.) However the Canon 50 f1.8 a very nice lens on a IIIf. I use a later one (black and chrome) on my IIIf a lot. It's also less expensive. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug A Posted November 10, 2017 Share #5 Posted November 10, 2017 As TomB said, the Canon 50/1.4 blocks a portion of the IIIf viewfinder. I have a Canon 50/1.4 and I like it a lot, but when I use it on a IIIc or IIIf I use a Leica SBOOI external 50mm viewfinder. That gives me a 1:1 viewfinder image so I can shoot with both eyes open. Fabulous! When I want a smaller setup that fits in my jacket pocket I use a 50/2.8 Elmar and no external viewfinder. I agree with the recommendation of a 90mm Elmar. It's a great lens and there are a lot of them out there. Just make sure the glass is good. I find I use my 135/3.5 Canon more often, with a Leica SHOOC - another 1:1 viewfinder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted November 11, 2017 Share #6 Posted November 11, 2017 I would go with Tom's advice and go for the 1.8 "Hiroshi" Canon lens, rather than the 1.4, which is a somewhat specialist lens, better for close work than general use. I compared the 1.8 Canon with a contemporary f2 Summitar and the Canon was a far better performer at large apertures, with only a bit of spherical aberration at the corners pointing to the age of design and may be close to the rigid Summicron in performance. The earlier chrome lenses seem to be less prone to fogging of the rear elements (often not cleanable, as it is in the glass) than the later black barrel Canon models. In my view it also looks nicer on a chrome LTM than the black barrel models. The only downside is the weight. I think it is certainly as heavy as my faster 5cm/f1.5 Summarit and the odd 40mm filter/hood thread, instead of the more common 40.5mm. The Canon lenses also have far more robust coating than the "drip-coated" Leica lenses of the period, where it can be difficult to find one without front element cleaning damage. I bought a near mint Canon 5cm/f1,8 from Japan 12 months ago for £155 and prices have dropped if anything, since. Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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