pridbor Posted June 6, 2021 Share #1 Posted June 6, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have just committed myself to a Leica IIIc. I'm very excited but I have never used one of these "old timers" before!!! In some online discussion I think I read that one can destroy the camera by setting exposure time and advance film in the wrong order, is that true? I would hate to damage it the first moment I have it in my hands. Thank in advance for your insight. Preben Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 6, 2021 Posted June 6, 2021 Hi pridbor, Take a look here How do I avoid damaging a Leica IIIc?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
frame-it Posted June 6, 2021 Share #2 Posted June 6, 2021 (edited) this will help [i use a iiic and a iiif, usually one with color film and the other with b&w film] https://www.cameramanuals.org/leica_pdf/leica_iiic.pdf better to post in this area > https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/35-leica-collectors-historica/ Edited June 6, 2021 by frame-it 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted June 7, 2021 Share #3 Posted June 7, 2021 (edited) You won’t hurt it. It’s just that you need to wind it on to align the shutter speed indicator with the index mark/arrow to see what speed has been set before you change the speed. The speed dial just comes to rest in a different position after the shutter has been released. So you would be setting a different speed if you align the one you want with the index mark/arrow if you haven’t wound on. 1/100 wound on and then after releasing. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited June 7, 2021 by Pyrogallol 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/321586-how-do-i-avoid-damaging-a-leica-iiic/?do=findComment&comment=4215196'>More sharing options...
Al Brown Posted June 7, 2021 Share #4 Posted June 7, 2021 (edited) You are more likely to damage the film while loading than damage the camera. Follow these simple steps: 1. Wind 2. Set exposure (top dial for short shutter speeds, front dial for long up to 1s) 3. Shoot 4. Repeat. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited June 7, 2021 by Al Brown 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/321586-how-do-i-avoid-damaging-a-leica-iiic/?do=findComment&comment=4215197'>More sharing options...
Danner Posted June 7, 2021 Share #5 Posted June 7, 2021 If that hurt a Barnack Leica, my IIIf would have been dead years ago, LOL... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroplait Posted June 7, 2021 Share #6 Posted June 7, 2021 13 hours ago, pridbor said: I have just committed myself to a Leica IIIc. I'm very excited but I have never used one of these "old timers" before!!! In some online discussion I think I read that one can destroy the camera by setting exposure time and advance film in the wrong order, is that true? I would hate to damage it the first moment I have it in my hands. Thank in advance for your insight. Preben It is a quirky camera by todays standards, but quite robust. Do yourself the favour to learn the correct way to prep and load film as that is a more likely way to damage the camera if done incorrectly. By correct way, I mean; the way Leica prescribes - not some well meaning suggestions to a "much easier way". 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradS Posted June 7, 2021 Share #7 Posted June 7, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 hours ago, nitroplait said: It is a quirky camera by todays standards, but quite robust. Do yourself the favour to learn the correct way to prep and load film as that is a more likely way to damage the camera if done incorrectly. By correct way, I mean; the way Leica prescribes - not some well meaning suggestions to a "much easier way". Strongly agree. Read the Leica instruction manual and learn how to properly trim the film leader and load the film. Avoid/ignore the insane "easier" alternative methods posted everywhere on-line (especially, but not limited to, you-tube ). If you are truly committed to using the thing, consider buying a film leader trimming template thingy. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pridbor Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share #8 Posted June 7, 2021 (edited) But IF I inadvertently should set the time first and then remember that I should have advanced the film first, is there then a way out? I plan to send it to CLA once in my hands. Thanks all! P.S. I have downloaded the manual suggested by Frame-it and will be studying these topics but sometimes it better to get feedback from users rather than trying to interpret a manual. Thanks Edited June 7, 2021 by pridbor Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 7, 2021 Share #9 Posted June 7, 2021 4 minutes ago, pridbor said: But IF I inadvertently should set the time first and then remember that I should have advanced the film first, is there then a way out? I plan to send it to CLA once in my hands. Thanks all! Just set the time correctly after winding, before you shoot. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted June 7, 2021 Share #10 Posted June 7, 2021 16 hours ago, frame-it said: this will help [i use a iiic and a iiif, usually one with color film and the other with b&w film] https://www.cameramanuals.org/leica_pdf/leica_iiic.pdf better to post in this area > https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/35-leica-collectors-historica/ Especially worth noting the important rule on page 6, and shutter speed setting summary on page 7. The main pitfall is not having the slow speed dial on 1/30 when using fast shutter speeds. My understanding is this error will cause inaccurate exposure. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pridbor Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted June 7, 2021 Andrew, I'm less worried about inaccurate exposure, but I was of the impression that I could physically damage the camera, hence my post. Many thanks to you all, so far 🙂 Preben Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 7, 2021 Share #12 Posted June 7, 2021 3 hours ago, pridbor said: But IF I inadvertently should set the time first and then remember that I should have advanced the film first, is there then a way out?... It's not that there might be any damage caused by setting shutter speed before winding the film; it's more a case of you not knowing what speed you will have set. Things will become perfectly clear to you once you have the camera in your hands. In the meantime have another look at the images provided by Pyrogallol in the third post; in the 'unwound' state (picture 2) the shutter-speed indicator arrow engraved on the accessory shoe ispart-way between 1/40th and 1/60th but, if the camera were now to be wound, the actual speed which has set - 1/100 - can be seen. And I'm another who advises practicing both loading- and unloading routines fully. It's almost worth sacrificing a roll of film so you can do it over and over again to ensure you are comfortable with the tasks. Enjoy your IIIc when it arrives; they are superb little performers. Philip 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pridbor Posted June 7, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted June 7, 2021 You have all been very helpful, thanks a lot!!! Some of you also brought up and emphasize the loading- and unloading routines, which I had figured to be as important as you gents are saying, and I absolutely believe you, don't get me wrong!! So my question on this issue is: is it any different from any other film "M" procedure? I have an M7, which I don't use enough, but I have run a few rolls through it though. Your advice are much appreciated Preben Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted June 7, 2021 Share #14 Posted June 7, 2021 26 minutes ago, pridbor said: You have all been very helpful, thanks a lot!!! Some of you also brought up and emphasize the loading- and unloading routines, which I had figured to be as important as you gents are saying, and I absolutely believe you, don't get me wrong!! So my question on this issue is: is it any different from any other film "M" procedure? I have an M7, which I don't use enough, but I have run a few rolls through it though. Your advice are much appreciated Preben Yes it is different. The barnack cameras don’t have a fold-down flap over the film plane so you need to trim the film with scissors to be able to feed the film into the camera. It is not that difficult in my opinion. Count to the required perforation hole and cut in from there. Don’t waste your money on the Ablon guide for trimming the film, these sell for silly money for what they are (look at Ebay for a laugh). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted June 7, 2021 Share #15 Posted June 7, 2021 There are any number of threads discussing the trimming and loading of screw Leica cameras, like these. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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