Leica IIIF

cliveh · Apr 17, 2016

Is the Leica IIIF one of the most tactile Leica cameras ever made, as I am starting to think it is, especially with a collapsible Elmar.

Jon Buffington · Apr 17, 2016

Yes it is. At least in my opinion. Something special about a leisurely stroll with my iiif (no elmar, collapsible summitar). A pure joy.

frank · Apr 17, 2016

Any of the screw mount Leicas qualify.

Jim Jones · Apr 17, 2016

The Leica IIIF (or IIIC) with a 50mm Elmar is indeed a fine compact camera. The 50mm collapsing Summicron or 50mm f/2.8 Elmar add a little bulk, but in my opinion provide better images and certainly they gather more light. Unlike these cameras, the single shutter speed dial on the M series permits accurate shutter setting by feel.

Jim Jones · Apr 17, 2016

The IIIf (and IIIc) are fine compact cameras when fitted with the 50mm Elmar. Adding a 50mm collapsing Summicron or f/2.8 Elmar adds little to the bulk but in my opinion they have better optical performance. Unlike the Barnack series, the shutter speed dial on the M series does permit reliable setting of the shutter speed by feel alone.

Besk · Apr 28, 2016

cliveh said:
Is the Leica IIIF one of the most tactile Leica cameras ever made, as I am starting to think it is, especially with a collapsible Elmar.

I agree and that is what I have.

Fixcinater · Apr 29, 2016

I prefer my M3 over the IIIF I had on loan for a while. Maybe it is the fact I have to wear glasses that puts me off Barnacks and their copies so I can't enjoy the rest of it and it just feels very old. For some reason, the M3 doesn't feel as aged.

tessar · Apr 29, 2016

The IIIf is one of my favorite cameras. I learned photography on my father's; later he gave it to me. I'm still using it, a great compact carry-around camera with the collapsible Elmar 50 or Summaron 35.

Ko.Fe. · Apr 29, 2016

I liked the build of IIf which I sold to get M4-2, which is easier to handle. It was nice with I-22 and Summar. Getting this very well build camera in and out from the neoprene pouch was also special. It was like getting something from UFO into hands and using it. Retracting lens and setting camera was next to Jedi with Lightsaber.

02Pilot · Apr 29, 2016

Since getting my first Barnack Leica just over a year ago, I have found that they work remarkably well for me, so much so that I've acquired two more since then. I now have two IIIcs and a IIIg. The IIIg is more capable in regular use, at least in stock form; the IIIcs normally have external finders mounted to compensate for the small viewfinders. All are a real pleasure to use, and I have become acclimated with their quirks to the point that they seem quite natural now.

cliveh · Apr 30, 2016

Try a IIIF.

02Pilot · Apr 30, 2016

cliveh said:
Try a IIIF.

Why? The body and mechanics are identical to a IIIc, minus the flash sync.

mnemosyne · May 3, 2016

cliveh said:
Try a IIIF.

There is a Leica III F (pre-war Leica III, model "F") and a Leica IIIf (post war). To avoid confusion it is better to use the capital letter F only in conjunction with the pre-war model.

daleeman · May 3, 2016

I must admit I am honored to have my father's IIIf with a 50 and 90mm lens. Not a joy to load, but a fine camera. Other than the box camera I started with my father taught me photography with the IIIf RD St. The day he let me take it out by myself is something I will never forget. He dropped me off at Town and Country Shopping Center when they had NHRA dragsters on display in the parking lot and I had a 24 shot roll of Kodachrome in it. Dad was surprised that more than half of the images were detail shots like the belt on the engine blower, the front right suspension, gauges panel.... sunny 16 worked well and the projections on the screen made me proud.

Leica IIIF

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