This forum seems to be dominated by "M" series cameras...no offense intended; hope none taken! I had an M3 and an M6 and both seemed uncomfortable to me...to ME...for whatever reason. I use SLR systems for formal photography as well as medium format. These are big and very "visible."

I recently (very recently...like a week ago!) acquired a nearly mint IIIF and a Imarec VIOOH viewer. I soon discovered that all I need is a high speed film (400-3200), zone focus from infinity to 8' at f/16 (more with a 35 lens), totally enclose the entire camera with my hands, leaving only the tip of the lens and viewer exposed, and I can move wherever and whenever without bothering anyone. New adventures!

Has anyone else discovered this particular attribute of the early Leica cameras? There are very few III series Leica forums for "show and tell!"

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), August 25, 2000

Answers

Todd,

I also recently got a Leica IIIf (BD) with a 3.5cm 3.5 Summaron. I was just looking for something to use with my 15 Heliar, and also for a smaller, less conspicuous and less expensive camera for the type of photography you've described.

Both camera and lens were in perfect working order. The precision, fit and feel of these early Leicas are impossible to describe, unless you've actually handled one. All the little knurled knobs, levers and dials, the uncluttered viewfinder; it's a very satisfying camera to hold and manipulate.

The thing is in nearly perfect shape; it's scary to think it's older than I am. I hope I'm still looking this good when I'm nearly fifty. The shutter curtains must have been replaced not too long ago because they look fresh and new. Shutter speeds are amazingly accurate. The glass on the lens is completely clean and fog free. The viewfinder, though quite small, is crystal clear. And I love the little rangefinder's high magnification and instantly adjustable diopter, it makes accurate focussing in low light much easier than with the M cameras.

Loading it is a real chore, though. I hate having to trim the leaders. But, Gandy's suggestion that one should remove the lens and trip the shutter on "t" setting, so you can help guide the film into place with your finger through the lens mount really seems to ease the chance of misloads. And if you wear glasses....well, you can always get the Voightlander accessory viewfinders. And that little retro-looking, chrome Voightlander meter is starting to look better and better.

It's so small and quiet that nobody even notices when I've taken it out of my pocket inside stores, restaurants and other crowded places. One guy thought it was a cell phone. I'm now looking for a good collapsible 5cm 3.5 Elmar to make it even smaller inside my pocket. When you think about it, it's really absurd how large modern 35mm cameras have become.

And the most surprising thing was/is the quality of the 35mm Summaron. Wide open it's not bad at all. At 5.6 to 8 or 11 it's just wonderful, comparing very favorably with my Summicron. The out of focus areas are beautiful, creating almost perfectly round areas; it must be the ten tiny aperture blades.

For someone looking to get into the Leica thing for substantially less cost than the Ms, I'd highly recommend looking into the older SMs.

Sergio.

-- Sergio Ortega (s.ortega@worldnet.att.net), August 26, 2000.

Yes, ninety percent of my Street Photography is done with Leica M2/M3's and 35 and 50mm lenses. They just seem to be perfect for that kind of photography. But once in awhile I go out on the street with my 111G and 50mm Summitar and it is a unique expercience, so small and compact, built rock solid, a real jewel. I have never zone focused in my street photography and I have no problem with the twin eye pieces, see picture, quick focus and click. Using the 111G is a real pleasure to use for street photography. Please take a look at some of my Street Photos at http://www.streetphoto.net Steve

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), August 26, 2000.

Question...your photos are wonderful Steve. Looks like New York. What do you do about model releases in order to "publish" these photos on websites or forums?

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), August 26, 2000.

Todd,

I don't do anything about model releases, meaning I do not ask for them. And as far as I know, as long as the subject is in public domain you can take and publish their picture. But, If I am wrong somebody please correct me.

Steve

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), August 26, 2000.

Todd,

Also, another great lens for a Leica LTM or M is the Kobaluk 28/3.5. $399 at Adorama, comes in screw mount with M adaptor and viewfinder. Only about 1 inch with lens hood on. Sharp as a razor blade and multi coated. On my web site, www.streetphoto.net look at the picture toward the back of the gallery where the people are at the french fry stand. I use this lens alot, mostly on a M2. Steve

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), August 26, 2000.

I'll second the recommendation for the Sumarron, the Kobalux 28mm and the Summitar (my favorite). But the lens I use most often is the 50mm f3.5 Elmar, the camera and lens easily fits in a pocket.

I agree that focusing is quick and easy with the magnified rangefinder window. I hardly ever zone focus.

Sergio, I've never trimmed the film leaders. I just wrap around the takeup spool, pop it in, and guide it into place through the lens hole. Never had a problem.

You're right, using one of these makes you wonder why current 35mm cameras have gotten so far away from the concept of "miniature format".

I've been meaning to start a "Screw Mount Gallery" thread for sharing photos made with these great machines. Want to join in?

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), August 27, 2000.

I've been cutting the leader, but one roll didn't thread properly and didn't go through. I need to watch the sprokets when loading and the rewind knob. I'm concerned about damaging the shutter curtain if I use my finger.

The "Screw Mount Gallery" sounds great...please start it.

I find rangefinder focusing hard on any brand so I try to zone focus...I need to practice.

My Canon A2E with vertical grip is actually bigger than my medium format!

I can totally hide the IIIF in my hands! :>)

Todd

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), August 27, 2000.

Yes, ninety percent of my Street Photography is done with Leica M2/ M3's and 35 and 50mm lenses. They just seem to be perfect for that kind of photography. But once in awhile I go out on the street with my 111G and 50mm Summitar and it is a unique

Really nice photos, and nice site too.

Question: do you take the camera to your face, or are you shooting from the hip, chest...? In other words, while many of the shots look as tho' your subjects didn't know you were taking their photos, others seemed to be sufficiently intimate that they must've known (esp. one that looks as if you usd flash- the woman getting a light from the man...)...?

Tse-Sung

-- Tse-Sung Wu (tsesung@yahoo.com), August 29, 2000.

All those pictures were focused and framed by eye. I cannot explain how but I am able to focus and frame very quick. The picture of the girl getting a light is of a prostitute picking up a john, the street was crowded and as I walked toward them I just lifted the camera (Nikon F/w Vivatar) focused and shot, then kept walking and I dont think they even noticed that I had taken their picture even with the flash. Anyway, hip shooting is a technique I have never used. I have practised dry shooting (no film in camera) for many, many hours and like anything practice makes perfect.

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), August 29, 2000.

Love to steal photos BUT disregard advice of flash.You can get into real problems.Guess you have to do that sort of thing if you use a Nikon F.Have done sneaks with it also.Removed Prism and shot using open finder.Makes the camera smaller.Tried old Leicas with screw thread.Too hard to reload.Use part of a shortened knitting needle to press film to sprockets.Use my M3 which is big compared.Thought of changing my Pentax 67 for EOS-3.Its almost same size.... I dont use Pentax for street photos unless I ask 1st.The noise like Hassies is deafening.

-- jason gold (jason1155234@webtv.net), August 30, 2000.

Beautiful pictures, Steve, thanks. My two cents, gentlemen. For street photography I use 0.72M-4P with 35mm f2.0 Summicron, 28mm/5.6 Summaron, 21mm/3.4 S.Angulon , 20mm/5.6 Russar ; M3 & 50/1.4 Summilux (in darkness only), and IIIf RD, my favorite for twenty years, with the above named lens, all of them are screw mount & Leitz M-mount adapters. No flash. Film 400-3200. I almost do not use any viewer and rangefinder when shooting with IIIf and short-focus lenses. In a few years of practice I can feel the frames of 21mm and 28mm. The human eye focus is about 18-21mm. My rule is dont afraid to waste a frame. My favorite techniques with IIIf is not to look through RF/VF when shooting specially a tiny dogs, cats portraits on exhibitions, for example, or macro. I just set the f-stop for required DOF (from 4 or less) on the Russar and direct the IIIf to the subject as near as possible. Sometimes I get cartoons because of distortion, and its fanny. The IIIfs film advance is very smooth, I make it very fast and easy, just roll a wind knob with my thumb. NO one of Ms has double exposure feature, IIIf does. Seems, loading is so easy as M's. Best pictures.

--Victor.

-- Victor Randin (www.ved@enran.com.ua), September 01, 2000.