Two Leica thread mount questions

[Kodachromeguy]

Hi Everyone, two Leica questions:

1. Did any of the IIIF bodies have the newer geometric shutter speeds? I have not seen one, but possibly during late production? My Hove book mentions a newer shutter for the red dial bodies.

2. Were some of the IIIG bodies supplied in black paint? The Hove book 6th edition shows that 125 black bodies were sold to the Swedish Army in 1960, but does not list any other black ones. I was curious because several of the Japanese sellers have black IIIGs, but they do not reveal if they are newly painted. I've seen a few of the Swedish Army kits at real auctions (not fleaBay), and they sold for serious prices.

Thanks!

 

[aoresteen]

1. My IIIf RD has the older non-geometric shutter speeds. I think that they all did. If you need the modern shutter speed sequence then buy a Canon VI-L, VI-T, P, or a 7 body. I use a Canon VI-T, a Leica IIIF and a Leica IF.

2. AFAIK the only real black paint IIIGs are the Swedish IIIg models. Any other is a re-paint.. As you mentioned, they are extremely expensive - intended for a glass case & alarm. If you have to have a black IIIg then get a repaint.

 

[Nitroplait]

1. My IIIf RD has the older non-geometric shutter speeds. I think that they all did. If you need the modern shutter speed sequence then buy a Canon VI-L, VI-T, P, or a 7 body. I use a Canon VI-T, a Leica IIIF and a Leica IF.

2. AFAIK the only real black paint IIIGs are the Swedish IIIg models. Any other is a re-paint.. As you mentioned, they are extremely expensive - intended for a glass case & alarm. If you have to have a black IIIg then get a repaint.

+1 to both
My late IIIF RD ST has the old shutter range as well - and real black IIIGs are worth their weight in gold - or close.

 

[250swb]

Ditto, my IIIF RD ST has the older shutter speeds, but don't let the shutter speeds put you off, a modern meter will still be accurate enough, it's not like they are even half a stop out. Also beware the Japanese repaints, while expensive they are not all stripped back to brass as they should be before painting.

 

[BradS]

somewhat tangentially related...I wonder what Leica were thinking when they chose the shutter speed progressions for the Leica iiif black and red dials (the progressions are slightly different but equally strange).