Leica IIIf opinions requested

Ron (Netherlands) said:

I always do a complete strip-down since it reveals other faults and hidden dirt - best way to do it IMHO albeit laboursom of course.

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I would like to do some full strip downs, but havent been able to find any detail guides or service manuals.Do you know of any books that would be helpful for Barnack style cameras? I can find bits and pieces on the internet, but they tend to be limited.

awty said:

I would like to do some full strip downs, but havent been able to find any detail guides or service manuals.Do you know of any books that would be helpful for Barnack style cameras? I can find bits and pieces on the internet, but they tend to be limited.

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Here you go - most extensive official Leica service manual for the IIIf (the other Barnacks are all less complicated, so with this manual you can do simpler versions as well) - it has also a complete parts list:
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_iiif.pdf

If you want to repair Zorki's & Feds or other Sovjet cams, you better use the Isaac Maizenberg manual:
https://www.mikeeckman.com/media/MaizenbergSovietCameraBible.pdf

Precaution:
Please note that especially the screws on Barnack Leica's are very tight: so in order to prevent stripping the screwheads, use the right screwdrivers and if necessary, sharpen them! (the screws are made from relatively soft brass).

Ron (Netherlands) said:

Here you go - most extensive official Leica service manual for the IIIf (the other Barnacks are all less complicated, so with this manual you can do simpler versions as well) - it has also a complete parts list:
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_iiif.pdf

If you want to repair Zorki's & Feds or other Sovjet cams, you better use the Isaac Maizenberg manual:
https://www.mikeeckman.com/media/MaizenbergSovietCameraBible.pdf

Precaution:
Please note that especially the screws on Barnack Leica's are very tight: so in order to prevent stripping the screwheads, use the right screwdrivers and if necessary, sharpen them! (the screws are made from relatively soft brass).

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Just out of curiosity, how long would you estimate new shutters in a iii-series camera will last, with regular use?

Horatio said:

Just out of curiosity, how long would you estimate new shutters in a iii-series camera will last, with regular use?

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When treated normal many (10 or more) years. But not so in extreme heat/damp conditions etc.

Ron (Netherlands) said:

When treated normal many (10 or more) years. But not so in extreme heat/damp conditions etc.

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Only 10 years?!?!?! Seems like 40 is not unusual.

Ron (Netherlands) said:

When treated normal many (10 or more) years. But not so in extreme heat/damp conditions etc.

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Thanks.

BradS said:

Only 10 years?!?!?! Seems like 40 is not unusual.

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Many old Leica's are found and are still working but they were not used regularly for many many years - so from the 40 years perhaps 25 or 30 years they were laying in a dry surrounding just waiting to be discovered......And Leica offered the so-called upgrade facility: many Leica's were factory upgraded and got an overhaul with new shutter(curtains).
Also note that in the first 10 or 15 years of their existence, Leica's were not considered the pro-cams, but instead the contax was the pro camera with many Zeiss lenses available. Only in and after WWII the Leica gained popularity as a pro camera especially after the introduction of the M-series in 1954 with better lenses available.