Any reason for a IIIg?

[Richard Jepsen]

Small camera, beautiful to look at, would love to use one with a 35/2.8 and bright line.

 

[frank]

I suggest either a cheaper screw mont Leica than the lllg and just get used to the squinty finder if you don't want an external finder (which are very nice), or a previously mentioned Retina lla.

 

[cliveh]

If you want the perfect camera in terms of handling, weight, tactile and shape, go for a Leica II.

 

[Xmas]

The simple options are the new (post 94) Elmar 5cm /2.8 or the Cosina Voightlander 5cm /2.5.

The CV is only 2mm larger then the collapsed Elmar.

Both are stellar performers

 

[Uncle Bill]

Cannonet or a Rollei 35? I've packed my M3 with collapsible 50 f2 Summicron lens in my briefcase with no issues, then again I hit the gym about four days a week so my definition of light might be a little different than yours.

 

[ntenny]

Buy a Bessa R. You get a meter (very accurate) and a big, bright viewfinder. You have no idea how slow a knob wind camera is to use. Wasn't for me. It's impossible to keep the camera up to your eye and get a second shot, you have to take it down to your waist, swlooooly advance the film w/ the knob, put it back up to your eye, and see that your second shot is gone like the wind.

I think it depends on the person and the knob. I've shot with knob-advance Contaxen and fSU rangefinders and not found it to be a problem; as far as I can think, my "trick" is to turn the knob with the index-finger edge of my right hand, rather than changing grips to twiddle the knob.

But the Bessa-R is a really nice design, for certain. I wish the RF base were longer.

-NT

 

[frank]

...and the shutter were quieter.

 

[Stuggi]

I have an IIIf with the Elmar 3,5, and it's a very good combo. The rangefinder takes a bit to get used to, but what you get instead is an ultra compact setup.

 

[TheTrailTog]

The IIIg is a fantastic camera, my favorite Leica so far out of the models I've tried, which are the IIIa, IIIf, IIIg, and M2. It's the perfect balance of compact size and a great viewfinder. That said, I ended up getting a new pair of eyeglasses a few months ago, which left me unable to really see the framelines in the IIIg and have gone back to shooting an M2 primarily. If you were planning to just get one Leica, and eyeglasses don't come into play, I would opt for a IIIg with a collapsible Summicron. It won't be quite pocketable, but it is certainly more compact than your current set-up. However, it sounds like you are looking for a compact alternative to pair with your M3. With that in mind, I would opt for a IIIf with a f/3.5 Elmar. Yes, the viewfinder isn't that of an M or the IIIg, but it is just so compact. It really is pocketable. Plus, you could get that pairing for cheaper than the price of a IIIg body alone.