I have seen an ad for a quite reasonably priced Leica III together with a Summar. Assume this is an f/2 50m, pre WWII outfit. I suppose it wouldn't be up to post-war M standards of performance and convenience, but the screwmount looks kind of fun, and is also a little smaller than the Ms. The IIIf red dial was about twice as much without the lens, but I wouldn't need flash sync. What are people's experiences with actually using the screwmounts? Are pre-war lenses still usable? I was thinking of using it for colour and possibly getting back into B+W.

-- David Killick (Dalex@inet.net.nz), May 05, 2001

Answers

David, you need to give this page a good going over: http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmcam.htm

The Screws are not for everyone, but they have their points!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), May 05, 2001.

Unless there are receipts for recent work, plan on putting some money into right away on a clean, lube, and adjust from one of the screw mount experts. My first Leica was one just like that. I was pretty disapointed by lens flare, which was nearly impossible to avoid with the uncoated lens. Although people learn to put up with the quirks of these cameras, convenience is not a word I would use on the same page with a Leica III. They sure are nice looking pieces of work though, and have a special feel to them. I understand why people own them even though I have no place for one.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 06, 2001.

I love my Leica II (same as the III except no slow speeds), but then I grew up on the IIIF. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend that anyone start their Leica experience with either of these.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), May 06, 2001.

I use my 3F quite extensively alongside the M6. Yes it is fun ,even more involving than the M. It is compact, unobtrusive, extremely quiet. It can be coupled with any of the Cosina lenses ( I use it with the 50 Nokton and 35 Ultron)that can be gotten for reasonable prices and offer outstanding performances. I personally stay away from pre-war lenses since modern ones are so good. It is a good idea to have a 3 looked at since they are so old but a CLA'ed one is an outstanding performer if you can put up with its idiosyncrasies, especially the loading (not for the impatient or those with large fingers) and the double finders. However, if you can develop that special relationship with a 3, it will prove to be a very satisfying experience. You'll learn to "read' light and compose intuitively.

-- Jean-David Borges (jdborges@home.com), May 06, 2001.

The III is, to me, as good as any screwmount save perhaps for the IIIg. The Summar lens, well....take it if it comes with the camera but if they're willing to knock off $50 or so and sell you just the body, I'd go that route and look for at a 5cm/3.5 Elmar of fairly late (i.e. coated) vintage, or a collapsible Summicron (but watch out for front coating deterioration/scratches). I think if you're going to use the Voigtlander/Cosina lenses you might as well get the Bessa- R body which is much more user-friendly.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 06, 2001.

I would visit the cameraquest site first. I have a IIIc and I love it.My N80 hardly every gets used anymore. From my research unless you need a flash or can afford a IIIg (which can run over $1000)go with the IIIc.You can pick up a user for about $250.Get a CLA, I can recommend someone who is good,fast and very reasonable. But as previously advised these cameras are not for everyone. I have a post war 50/3.5 Elmar and post war 90/4 Elmar and both are pretty good. I also have both 35mm and 50mm Russian lenses made in the 70's are a fraction of the price or the Elmars and roughly give a comparable image. The Cosina/Voigtlander lenses are suppposed to be very good for the money. I have gotten into this camera in the last 6 months and and can give you a lot more info if you want to e-mail me.

-- Gerald Widen (gerald@sfa1.com), May 07, 2001.