Any Leica If users here?

darkosaric · Mar 11, 2020

I got this camera very cheap, for 169€, was drawn to it because it is even smaller and lighter than my IIIf. And I must admit that it is joy to use, you don't really need rangefinder on the street with f8 .

blockend · Mar 11, 2020

Nice camera. It reminds me of my Bessa L, although much posher. I used one with a Kontur finder and estimated distance on the 50mm Industar, for a whole summer. Usable even at f2.8 and responsible for some memorable shots. The lens hood kills the stealth factor but no doubt necessary on an uncoated Leitz.

awty · Mar 11, 2020

Very nice, I have one with the bracket for the flash. Worth it for the bright finder. Also have the Elmar alloy hood with filter attachments
Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake is a good match if you want something wider.

guangong · Mar 11, 2020

Great little camera. I have III a, c, and f but often use 50mm finder on them, ignoring built in finder. A lot of pictures have been made by estimating focusing distance. None of my go everywhere cameras, Minox, Minolta 16:& Rollei 35, have rangefinders.
By the way, the configuration of your camera is what initiated 35mm revolution. Have fun!

BSP · Mar 11, 2020

I would love to take the IIIf off your hands

sterioma · Mar 11, 2020

Nice camera! Today I have learnt that early screw mounts did not have a viewfinder
I have the same SBOOI for my IIIf.

Ko.Fe. · Mar 11, 2020

I owned IIf, but sold because slowest 1/25 is kind of Zorki . Now I have mint Nicca IIIa which is as small as pre-war Leicas. With new curtains after CLA. Paid 179 USD instead of 169€. It has slow speeds, which I'm using on the streets.

And I'm not using it only @f8 on the streets.

abruzzi · Mar 12, 2020

the rangefinder is so dark on my Zorki I that I just use hyperfocal on it, and it makes it a borderline point-and-shoot.

awty · Mar 12, 2020

abruzzi said:
the rangefinder is so dark on my Zorki I that I just use hyperfocal on it, and it makes it a borderline point-and-shoot.

Perhaps you should clean it. They come apart pretty easily. Mine is clean and very usable, cant say the same about the shutter curtains that are unreliable. Pity other wise they are a nice camera.

awty · Mar 12, 2020

Any way this is all about the ify not all those other inferior cameras with unnecessary functions. The if is lighter and far more quieter and reliably than a Zorki and is smaller and lighter than a ii or iii.
And the Snapshot lens is only zone focus anyway.

The value of this camera can only go up.

Ray Morgenweck · Mar 14, 2020

You do know the 1f has two clips, and your camera is missing one. This model was intended for scientific applications, and sold at a lower price. The “blind” Leicas do the job, you just need to help them a bit. A 35mm Summaron on the Camera will give such a wide view the Finder is almost unneeded. BTW, using the clip itself works very well as a pointing device. The RASUL sports finder is a Great addition also with these cameras. Your camera is also eager to have a PLOOT or Visoflex for a friend. Bypass the finder and go right to an SLR!!

darkosaric · Mar 14, 2020

Ray Morgenweck said:
You do know the 1f has two clips, and your camera is missing one

Yes, I know. Probably that is why it was pretty cheap. But one is enough for me anyhow.

Huss · Mar 27, 2020

Mine

darkosaric · Mar 27, 2020

That is some red beauty !
Is that 21mm wide lens, or?

Pioneer · Mar 28, 2020

I enjoy using the Leica Standard with a 35mm 2.5 Nikkor on board. Hyperfocus work great. That is about as wide as I usually work with being more partial to the 50 Elmar usually.

This is why I like the little Elmar.

Huss · Mar 28, 2020

darkosaric said:
That is some red beauty !
Is that 21mm wide lens, or?

25mm

awty · Feb 5, 2021

Now I have a MD to compare. The MD is taller, feels slightly heavier, little more difficult to adjust the speeds with the view finder, a bit more easier to load. Shutters are about the same volume a little different in sound. Thumb winder is a great. I'll have to give her a run.

Also came with a 15mm super wide, seem a bit more better built than the 25mm, but I like the view of the 25mm better, 15mm is hard.

Anyway I feel a little dirty I bought a M camera, need to take a shower and get over it......at least its sexy black and doesn't have a nasty red leica button.

Huss · Feb 5, 2021

I have the 1f, Md-A and the Bessa L.

The Bessa is the handiest as it has a built in TTL meter (even though it does not have a VF), and has a delightful crisp shutter release. The film transport does feel a little delicate though, so I am very careful winding it, and stop once I hit 24 or 36 exp.
The Md-A - built on the M4 (the MD-2 above built on the M4-2) has waaaay easier loading than the 1f, handles great, but looks a little, well dull.
The 1f is just adorable and fun to use.

Huss · Feb 5, 2021

awty · Feb 5, 2021

You should of got a black md. I think I'll tape over the front of mine, still feel slightly embarrassed having a M camera.
A light meter would be great, thinking of getting a Dooma hot shoe meter. Looks the same as a Voiglander but costd a lot less. Don't really need a view finder for super wide.
The "if" is such a classic look and so easy to handle, be hard to beat.

Huss · Feb 5, 2021

awty said:
I think I'll tape over the front of mine, still feel slightly embarrassed having a M camera..

Well technically M cameras were called that because the M stood for Mesucher or measuring finder. Yours has neither a finder, nor a way to measure so don't be embarrassed!

;p

awty · Feb 6, 2021

Huss said:
Well technically M cameras were called that because the M stood for Mesucher or measuring finder. Yours has neither a finder, nor a way to measure so don't be embarrassed!

;p

Thats a relief, been looking at geting a fuji badge to cover the Leica, but as it is your rude finger covers the plaque as you hold so not so bad.
Shot a roll, took a second to relocate shutter button thumb/finger, then way you go. Should have plenty of poorly angled pictures of uninteresting people doing nothing impartial.

Don_ih · Feb 6, 2021

sterioma said:
Today I have learnt that early screw mounts did not have a viewfinder

The one pictured is from 1955, though.

Huss · Feb 6, 2021

awty said:
Thats a relief, been looking at geting a fuji badge to cover the Leica, but as it is your rude finger covers the plaque as you hold so not so bad.
Shot a roll, took a second to relocate shutter button thumb/finger, then way you go. Should have plenty of poorly angled pictures of uninteresting people doing nothing impartial.

If you ever saw the movie "Pecker" (highly recommended!), the gallerist's new photographer discovery at the end was blind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecker_(film)

He did not let trite things like composition, exposure, focus or subject matter get in the way of his vision..

I think there is a lesson to be learned here. I think.

awty · Feb 7, 2021

Ha, I dont need to be blind to do all that.
BTW what is that lens in the last couple of photos?

The voigtlander 15mm f4.5 is great, but if your subject isnt witin swiping distance then you are too far away. Should make a good companion to the 25mm.

Any Leica If users here?

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