Am I a Leica nutcase?

cliveh · Oct 20, 2023

I recently purchased an almost mint Leica IIIF without the self- timer (simplification of functions) and although I have never put a film through it, I occasionally just look through the viewfinder and fire the shutter. It is the quietest Leica I have ever come across and feel I should put it to use. However, it does not have the clarity of an M2 viewfinder. Are their other Leica nutcases out there who just love the tactile feel of a Barnack camera?

Don_ih · Oct 20, 2023

When you consider that I don't actually know how many thread-mount Leicas I have, I don't think you're alone.

xkaes · Oct 20, 2023

For some reason, I love the feeling on the Minolta MG camera in my hand. And yes, I'm a nutcase -- but not because of that.

chuckroast · Oct 20, 2023

I'm not crazy, you're crazy.

GregY · Oct 20, 2023

Although I've always been an M user & aficionado, the early 30s lll model f, used to have had an incredible feel to it. Paired with the 3.5cm lens it was a gem. I was in Tokyo and went with the intention of buying a lllg, but after handing this, the lllG felt like it was just too big. Well worth being crazy about them!

Paul Howell · Oct 20, 2023

I had a IIIG and Canon 7S which I used as a second body along with my Nikon F, although the Canon was much easier to use in the field, loading, ok meter, most lens had built in viewfinder, better viewfinder, I just liked the way the IIIG felt and balanced in my hands. On many assignments when I was not going to shoot more than a few rolls of film I would carry the IIIG rather then the Canon.

ic-racer · Oct 20, 2023

cliveh said:
Are their other Leica nutcases out there who just love the tactile feel of a Barnack camera?

Not a Leica nut but I do love my Rollies in the same way! Love to just pick them up and work the controls.

BMbikerider · Oct 20, 2023

I used to own a Leica 111f back in the 1970's complete with a Nikon screw fit F2 lens. It was a chrome version and possibly the nicest camera I ever owned with regard to quality. I could not afford any other lenses that fitted of any manufacturer so reluctantly I sold it to help fund my wedding.It was one or the other and thinking back it was a good choice.

awty · Oct 20, 2023

M's are big and clunky. Barnacs with a collapsible lens, just slip in your pocket, they are discrete, brilliantly designed camera that just fits into the palm of your hand and looks beautiful. Perfect example of form and function.

Pioneer · Oct 20, 2023

Hmmm. Dangerous question. Am I a nutcase?

If you are I most certainly am, as well as a lot of the rest of us who are addicted to using film.

But, as for Leica Barnack, I think you are in pretty good company. Over the past few years I have sold 3 Leica M cameras, an M3, an M6 and an M-A; keeping only my Barnack Leicas. When I am in the mood to shoot a Leica camera, most of the time I find myself reaching for my very compact 1938 Leica Standard; to this day one of the most compact 35mm cameras you can buy.

I have not the foggiest idea of how many rolls of film have been put through that camera as, obviously, I did not buy it new. Although my records aren't totally clear I know I personally have been shooting film in that camera for over 10 years. As I recall it came to me from Sherry Krauter after a complete overhaul. I bought it and had it sent directly to her to be cleaned and completely checked out.

Like your Leica, this one has about the quietest and smoothest shutter, and film advance, of any camera I have ever owned. I don't know how he did it, and he made a number of improvements over the years, but I feel he really did get it right the first time. This camera is literally painfully simple. You really do need to know what you are doing to make it work for you. I tell my kids and grandkids it is my "thinking man's camera."

It has no rangefinder to distract you from the scene you are trying to record; but it is really easy to set your focal distance based on your aperture setting. It has no meter; however Sunny 16 really makes me think about the light and the subject when I lift that camera to my eye. It has just enough shutter speeds and aperture settings to allow me to walk the streets in my small town with a roll of TMAX and chase the light from about 6 in the morning to 6 at night, and for me that really is enough. My wife and I are retired and we both enjoy spending our evenings together over dinner and a movie.

I am currently focusing a lot on my large format work but that little Leica is one of those cameras that is very easy to keep close to hand no matter what you happen to be doing at the time. This Leica Standard, my K1000, my 645 Nii and most likely my Rolleiflex will be with me to the end. I have other cameras I really enjoy working with but those are always right there at the top and get the lion's share of the film I buy.

My only advice to you is to put some film in that camera and make it a part of your regular routine. I don't think you will ever regret it. In fact you might just become more addicted to it than you expect.

dasBlute · Oct 20, 2023

nope, completely normal

ChrisLA · Oct 20, 2023

ic-racer said:
Not a Leica nut but I do love my Rollies in the same way! Love to just pick them up and work the controls.

Do you have anyone who services Rolleiflex SL35s? I came up empty-handed in a comprehensive international search for anyone who would work on the SL35M or SL 35E.

Radost · Oct 20, 2023

Answer is Yes.
Without even reading the post.

mshchem · Oct 21, 2023

I love Leica. Yes I'm nuts. 35mm is too darn little and 36exp is too long. But Leicas are cool. And again I'm whacked!!!

GregY · Oct 21, 2023

mshchem said:
I love Leica. Yes I'm nuts. 35mm is too darn little and 36exp is too long. But Leicas are cool. And again I'm whacked!!!

I feel the same way.....but lately I started using mine again i've gotten some lovely results. that are stunning printed at 11x14" or 12x16"

Ballinderry-Michael · Oct 21, 2023

mshchem said:
I love Leica. Yes I'm nuts. 35mm is too darn little and 36exp is too long. But Leicas are cool. And again I'm whacked!!!

You can partially remedy that by using bulk film in 24exp lengths (or fewer, even). But that can make you a Leica cassette addict on top of everything else.

Don_ih · Oct 21, 2023

Ballinderry-Michael said:
Leica cassette

Here's a useful question: how do you get a piece of film out of the slot in the Leica cassette spool? I mean a piece of film that's not sticking out on either side.

guangong · Oct 21, 2023

Most of the photographers I know are Leica nuts, ranging from normal nuts to extreme nuts. AntiLeica nuts also exist in varying degrees, as they frequently pop up on Photrio, heaping scorn on the Leica nuts while claiming their Argus 3C is more than a match.
I also include the Canon clones as Leica nut affiliates.

guangong · Oct 21, 2023

Don_ih said:
Here's a useful question: how do you get a piece of film out of the slot in the Leica cassette spool? I mean a piece of film that's not sticking out on either side.

I don’t understand the question. I use Leitz cassettes, but I can’t visualize what you are describing.

ic-racer · Oct 21, 2023

ChrisLA said:
Do you have anyone who services Rolleiflex SL35s? I came up empty-handed in a comprehensive international search for anyone who would work on the SL35M or SL 35E.

I service them myself but I did start a few threads showing some repairs:

Rolleiflex SL35E Thread

I had been discussing the SL35E off topic on another thread and wanted to continue over here. I had an SL35E since 1984 and the shutter stopped working around 2002. I picked up two nice SL35Ms in the mean time and finally got around to getting another SL35E from Germany. The camera came in the...

www.photrio.com

Rolleiflex SL35 -- Rollei TLR Quality in a 35mm Camera

For years I have wanted a German construction SL35. I have plenty of the Singapore and German Electronic Rolleiflex cameras but no mechanical German 35mm Rolleiflex. What I was hoping to find was something nice to hold in the hand, with precision controls and a high quality feel. Essentially a...

www.photrio.com

Ballinderry-Michael · Oct 21, 2023

Don_ih said:
Here's a useful question: how do you get a piece of film out of the slot in the Leica cassette spool? I mean a piece of film that's not sticking out on either side.

I've never had quite that problem: I'd suggest putting through a strip of film to try to pull the piece out with it. Assuming that you know which is the emulsion side of the piece, dampen the strip slightly and insert it to catch the emulsion and give traction. Try that dry before damp. Otherwise, take the spool to pieces (not that difficult with tweezers and screwdriver).

When I have a piece left in the spool and protruding, which I usually do have as I always load direct on to the spool and not to a tab, I either 1) trim the corners of the cut-off end and pull or 2) pull through using very small pliers kept fot the purpose

Don_ih · Oct 21, 2023

guangong said:
I don’t understand the question. I use Leitz cassettes, but I can’t visualize what you are describing.

The spool of a FILCA has a slot that you put trimmed film through - it's one way. You push the film in, you can't pull it out (although you can pull it through the other side). It's better than using tape.

You can use the pointy end of the ABLON film trimmer to get the right shape for the piece you put in that slot.

(I don't have one of these)

Thanks, @Ballinderry-Michael - what happened to me is I foolishly tore the film at the slot instead of cutting across the flanges (and then trimming and pushing through) (I couldn't find my scissors). I tried using a piece of film to push it through but it wouldn't go. I'll have to examine it more closely. I didn't know there was a way to dismantle it.

Ballinderry-Michael · Oct 21, 2023

Don_ih said:
The spool of a FILCA has a slot that you put trimmed film through - it's one way. You push the film in, you can't pull it out (although you can pull it through the other side). It's better than using tape.

View attachment 351524

You can use the pointy end of the ABLON film trimmer to get the right shape for the piece you put in that slot.

View attachment 351525(I don't have one of these)

Thanks, @Ballinderry-Michael - what happened to me is I foolishly tore the film at the slot instead of cutting across the flanges (and then trimming and pushing through) (I couldn't find my scissors). I tried using a piece of film to push it through but it wouldn't go. I'll have to examine it more closely. I didn't know there was a way to dismantle it.

To save dismantling it, maybe look at it closely to see whether a very fine pair of tweezers could get a hold somewhere. If you think it could, then maybe approach a watch repairer with the problem (I used to repair wrist and pocket watches and carried over skills from there to camera work - mainly things like leaf shutters as they contain clockwork). They might even have fine enough pliers to catch enough film to pull it through.

I use a German Filmknips to shape the end: it forms a tongue with curved sides and that protrudes right through. The point formed by an Ablon looks a bit blunt to me.

[As a last resort you could send it to Ireland where it would be treated with loving care - sober even]

JerseyDoug · Oct 21, 2023

I may have been lucky that this hasn't happened to me. I trim the end of the film going into the FILCA using a pair of electrician's scissors to make short crosswise cuts between the third and fourth sprocket holes on each side of the film and then lengthwise cuts just inside the rows of holes on each side. The result is a square cornered tab that goes into the slot in the FILCA.

When I load the film onto the developing reel in the changing bag I use the same scissors to cut the film straight across as close to the spool as I can get it. Out of the bag the wide part of the film tears easily from the short part because of the weak point where the two cuts meet at right angles. It's then easy to grip the end of the film that went through the spool and pull it through. (NOTE: This does not work with polyester base film. It doesn't tear!)

Don_ih · Oct 22, 2023

Ballinderry-Michael said:
To save dismantling it, maybe look at it closely to see whether a very fine pair of tweezers

I took it apart (just a few minutes ago). Worth mentioning is the two small finely knurled cylinders (1/4" long, thick as a pencil lead) that want to fall out and disappear. Luckily they're steel and stuck to the screwdriver I used (although I was disassembling this over a large bowl - it wasn't possible that they're just disappear). There was no other way I could get the film out - none was sticking out the back and I couldn't push it through. Reassembled, it works fine (a bit tricky getting those two bits of steel back in there, though. Must've been a fun job for whoever did it at the Leitz factory.)

A couple of very small bits of film fell out along with my stuck piece. It's always been a bit difficult to get the film to hold in this filca, so maybe it needed to be taken apart, anyway.

Ballinderry-Michael said:
I use a German Filmknips to shape the end: it forms a tongue with curved sides and that protrudes right through. The point formed by an Ablon looks a bit blunt to me.

I generally cut the sides curved to a strip about as wide as my thumb and it works fine. However, after I got it back together, I cut a piece of scrap film the same rough shape as the ablon template. It went in nicely, stayed in, the tip stuck out the other side, and it wasn't that irritating to cut the film to be able to pull it through.

JerseyDoug said:
I trim the end of the film going into the FILCA using a pair of electrician's scissors to make short crosswise cuts between the third and fourth sprocket holes on each side of the film and then lengthwise cuts just inside the rows of holes on each side. Th

That is a good way to do it. I cut the film in the dark so might end up screwing that up.

Am I a Leica nutcase?

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