Leica IIIF contact no. when using electronic flash?

[peterkinchington]

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When using a Leica IIIF with electronic flash I have read that I can use a contact no. of 0, 2 or 20. Which no. is it?

Cheers Kanga

[willeica]

If you are talking about the Red Dial IIIf, what you need is in this from about Page 40 onwards. You need to read this carefully and then experiment with whatever flash you have.

p17233coll11_2238.pdf

William 

[peterkinchington]

Thanks Willeica - I'll give it a go.  I am looking at purchasing a red dial IIIF with a Leitz summitar 5cm f2 10 blade lens diaphragm to use with the new Leica monopan 50 iso BW film.  Its extended red sensitivity means that I can potentially use it for normal BW and infrared photography on one roll.

Cheers Kanga

[erl]

I recommend trialling several positions around 2 and 4, at the tail end of a film with the flash. Alternatively, if you process your own film, cut a short test strip  using those numbers and maybe few other, at the low end.

[peterkinchington]

Good idea!

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Peter,

Welcome to the Forum.

The Leica Dealer Catalog from 1973 writes:

From 360001

1/30   -   2

T, 1 - 1/20   -   2

B   -   6

Red Dial - If, IIf, IIIf

1/50   -   20

T, 1 - 1/25   -   0

B   -   2

You might try begining with the above & see what happens,

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited August 14 by Michael Geschlecht

[peterkinchington]

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Thanks Michael - So the contact no. varies according to shutter speed chosen?

Cheers Kanga

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Peter,

Sometimes.

Beginning with the Bayonet Mount "M" cameras & also with later screw mount cameras Ig, IIg, IIIg, flash settings are internal & it is only necessary to choose the appropriate socket. Ig, IIg ,IIIg only have 1 socket.

Earlier cameras use different sync numbers at different shutter speeds. As well as at "T" & "B".

To add to what I wrote above for cameras from earlier than we have been discussing here:

For cameras up to 360000 the settings from the same dealer catalog are:

1/30   -   0

T, 1 -  1/20   -   4

B   -   6,5

1 reason for so many other numbers is: Back in the old days, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, there were a gazillion different Flash Bulbs, with different amounts of delay, available also. Some were a single bulb that you could hold in your hand that could light a football field. Some were smaller with less light output.

Because of this variety, a number of sync times, etc. were required.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

 

Edited August 14 by Michael Geschlecht

[peterkinchington]

Ok that make

28 minutes ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello Peter,

Sometimes.

Beginning with the Bayonet Mount "M" cameras & also with later screw mount cameras Ig, IIg, IIIg, flash settings are internal & it is only necessary to choose the appropriate socket. Ig, IIg ,IIIg only have 1 socket.

Earlier cameras use different sync numbers at different shutter speeds. As well as at "T" & "B".

To add to what I wrote above for cameras from earlier than we have been discussing here:

For cameras up to 360000 the settings from the same dealer catalog are:

1/30   -   0

T, 1 -  1/20   -   4

B   -   6,5

1 reason for so many other numbers is: Back in the old days, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, there were a gazillion different Flash Bulbs, with different amounts of delay, available also. Some were a single bulb that you could hold in your hand that could light a football field. Some were smaller with less light output.

Because of this variety, a number of sync times, etc. were required.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

 

Ok that makes sense.

Cheers Kanga

[250swb]

8 hours ago, peterkinchington said:

Thanks Willeica - I'll give it a go.  I am looking at purchasing a red dial IIIF with a Leitz summitar 5cm f2 10 blade lens diaphragm to use with the new Leica monopan 50 iso BW film.  Its extended red sensitivity means that I can potentially use it for normal BW and infrared photography on one roll.

Cheers Kanga

You can also use Adox HR-50, it's exactly the same film, (and with a reversal kit it becomes Scala 50)  but because it isn't badged 'Leica' it does costs less.

[peterkinchington]

Thanks - I was wondering what film stock it was derived from.

Cheers 

38 minutes ago, 250swb said:

You can also use Adox HR-50, it's exactly the same film, (and with a reversal kit it becomes Scala 50)  but because it isn't badged 'Leica' it does costs less.

 

[dg4mgr]

There is an easy way to test without film: Remove the lens and bottom plate, connect the flash with a cable. Then slide a white piece of paper (business card or similar) into the film plane.

When you fire the flash in a dark room and look in to the camera, you will easily see if the film windows is fully opened or only partially. So you can adjust the sinc nr. 

[peterkinchington]

That would work🙂

[Doug A]

From the New Leica Equipment Supplement to the 13th Edition of the Leica Manual and Data Book by Morgan & Morgan. The synchro-dial setting(s) for the Black Dial and Red Dial "f" series Leicas are at the bottom of the table. 

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I have used these setting with a IIIc factory converted to a BD IIIf and a standard RDST IIIf using my Metz Mecablitz 36 C2 with no issues. 

[peterkinchington]

1 hour ago, Doug A said:

From the New Leica Equipment Supplement to the 13th Edition of the Leica Manual and Data Book by Morgan & Morgan. The synchro-dial setting(s) for the Black Dial and Red Dial "f" series Leicas are at the bottom of the table. 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I have used these setting with a IIIc factory converted to a BD IIIf and a standard RDST IIIf using my Metz Mecablitz 36 C2 with no issues. 

Doug - this matches the contact no's I have read and puts shutter speeds to them - I think these three combinations of shutter speeds and contact no's will work for me.  😁😁😁

Thankyou very much Kanga

[dg4mgr]

I did the test described in #12 with my IIIf, as I noticed that it matters if the dial is like 1.8 or 2.2 when using electronic flash. 

[peterkinchington]

2 minutes ago, dg4mgr said:

I did the test described in #12 with my IIIf, as I noticed that it matters if the dial is like 1.8 or 2.2 when using electronic flash. 

A Very Precise Test - Were you using 1/50s?

Cheers Kanga

[dg4mgr]

I used 1/30, the speed that is both on the upper and lower dial. With shorter speeds, the shutter window will not completely open as required for electronic flash.

[peterkinchington]

3 hours ago, dg4mgr said:

I used 1/30, the speed that is both on the upper and lower dial. With shorter speeds, the shutter window will not completely open as required for electronic flash.

Thanks Kanga 😃

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[nitroplait]

Here is an original insert I found in a Leica IIIF BD ever-ready case pocket.

It is made of plastic.

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