Ed TLR
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PRICE DROPPED TO $495:
This is a beautiful, fully functional Leica IIIa made in 1935; only 600 units were made in this serial number production run. It just had a full CLA by Youxin Ye, and everything works smoothly and perfectly. The viewfinder is clear and bright, and the rangefinder is bright and aligned properly. All shutter speeds work and are accurate. The camera shows cosmetic wear from normal use (see photos), but nothing really ugly. It has the character of a well loved camera. I think the vulcanite is original; it has some fading toward brown in places, and on the front, it is lifted out a bit, but it is not broken or peeling. The winding mechanism and shutter are beautiful to feel and hear. Is there something wrong with me since I like to simply wind it and fire it over and over, like a fidget spinner? The Leica mechanism is mesmerizing. It could use a screw-on collar around the shutter button; they are available cheap on eBay but I just haven't bought one for it.
The Summar lens is a fast f/2 and 5cm (50mm focal length). It shows some light marks on the front, and it has some flecks of dust on the inside, but nothing that negatively affects photos. Youxin did a full CLA on it, and verified its images as good using a digital Leica body. It produces clear images on film (see samples below). It extends and focuses smoothly. The body of the lens shows some wear of the chrome, exposing the brass below. The included Hoya lens cap is black plastic.
This Leica will not disappoint as a shooting camera; it is ready and willing to go to work now. I'm only selling it because I have four model III units right now, and I need to recoup some of my costs in CLAs, etc. I'll be putting a few of them out for sale over the next few months for others to enjoy.
The price of $495 includes me handling the PayPal fees and the shipping within the continental US.
This is a beautiful, fully functional Leica IIIa made in 1935; only 600 units were made in this serial number production run. It just had a full CLA by Youxin Ye, and everything works smoothly and perfectly. The viewfinder is clear and bright, and the rangefinder is bright and aligned properly. All shutter speeds work and are accurate. The camera shows cosmetic wear from normal use (see photos), but nothing really ugly. It has the character of a well loved camera. I think the vulcanite is original; it has some fading toward brown in places, and on the front, it is lifted out a bit, but it is not broken or peeling. The winding mechanism and shutter are beautiful to feel and hear. Is there something wrong with me since I like to simply wind it and fire it over and over, like a fidget spinner? The Leica mechanism is mesmerizing. It could use a screw-on collar around the shutter button; they are available cheap on eBay but I just haven't bought one for it.
The Summar lens is a fast f/2 and 5cm (50mm focal length). It shows some light marks on the front, and it has some flecks of dust on the inside, but nothing that negatively affects photos. Youxin did a full CLA on it, and verified its images as good using a digital Leica body. It produces clear images on film (see samples below). It extends and focuses smoothly. The body of the lens shows some wear of the chrome, exposing the brass below. The included Hoya lens cap is black plastic.
This Leica will not disappoint as a shooting camera; it is ready and willing to go to work now. I'm only selling it because I have four model III units right now, and I need to recoup some of my costs in CLAs, etc. I'll be putting a few of them out for sale over the next few months for others to enjoy.
The price of $495 includes me handling the PayPal fees and the shipping within the continental US.
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