The initial intent of 35mm was to give true portability to photographers unwilling to lug around the 4. To trim the film for my leica iiif, i created a fullsize printable pdf file, which i simply lay the film on and trim it exactly as it is printed. But, i want to try experimenting with film again, and using a nice rangefinder. Dedicated to sharing pictures taken with and info about cameras that put 35mm photography on the map the. How should i trim my 35mm film so it will always load. The iiif red dial tends to age better than either the iiic or iiif bd with regards to the brighnessclarity of the rf patch and features what seems to be. Later m models have a hinged back which allows you to see what you are doing. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. With uncoated lenses like the summar, i use its big dedicated rectangular hood. How to load 35mm film in to a screw mount leica duration. The leica iiif was leitzs later leica first 35mm camera body for screw mount lenses with builtin synchronization. The minolta beat the leica in having a delayed action control right from the earliest model in 1947, which the leica wouldnt see until a late version of the iiif in 1954. An iiic shoots as well as an iiif and will save you a few bucks.
It succeeded the leica iiid, which was a rare variant of the leica iiic. If you have not used film before, it may be a challenging camera to learn. As with the first leica ltm camera of this series being called the leica i then leica ii then iii then same is true for the lettering. I wasnt really sure what to expect for my hardearned cash, but after using the leica for a couple of weeks straight, i can honestly say that this camera deserves its many accolades.
For one, just loading a roll of film takes some care for even those used to using screw mount leica cameras. Minoltas early 35mm rangefinders gave leica a run for its. There are many videos on youtube where people show you how to load film into the old screwmount leicas by putting your fingers inside an. Accuracy depends on the condition of your half silvered crystal, etc, but is accurate when in working order.
Film loading from the rear was easy with the minolta, compared to the base loading of the leica. It basically works fine, the shutter fires on all speeds but the slow speeds are sluggish. There are a number of folks that would be able to do so and have the parts. And if that is so, then why not go all in, with a rangefinder, even a bottom loading barnack camera. New listing leica iiia rangefinder film camera body only. If youre reading this article, either own a film leica and shoot street photography, or might be interested in getting one. Above photo by alva christo who says of his feelings toward his leica iiif. I loved the m3 m4 m6 but sold them to afford some digital stuff. Quick demo showing you how to load the leica iiig rangefinder camera. People were told not to wait for a new camera, and just buy. I am a proud owner of a leica m7 and very happy with it. The nicca 5l is so good it even outshines leica s own renowned iiig. Several models were produced over the years, with significant improvements. You really dont need a template leica ablon to trim leaders for screw mount cameras.
Builtin synch means that, unlike its predecessors, the iiif didnt need an optional rework for flash photography. Unlike the leica iiic both versions of the iiif will accept modern preloaded film cassettes without any of the off center framing issues that results in sprocket holes appearing in the image. This both wastes a couple of useable frames and is a pain if you use different 35mm film cameras as i do. So, as we go through the leica iiif, well point out the features that are typical of 35mm design. Leica screw mount cameras the 1930s through the 1950s. This will fit and work in all iif and earlier leicas that i have tried, back to a iii from early 1930s.
A canon 7 or one of the voigtlander bessas might be a better option if you dont care about getting the leica name. I use old cameras including a leica iiif and a couple of zorkis. Nicca 5l aka tower 4546 best small body leica screw mount. If you want my honest opinion the leica r8 or r9 was the best. To get this out of the way, the best bangforthebuck film leica is the leica m6. I wanted to write this guide to share everything i personally know about shooting on a film leica based on my 3 years of experience. In the us, leica s original rangefinder series 193060 are usually called screw mounts or ltm for leica thread mount. There was a cheap copy made but that is ridiculously rare. If you are no using the leica reloadable film canisters, place a small cone shaped spring on the exposed bottom of the film cassette, before replacing the bottom plate, or you may very well see exposed sprockets because, the prem cameras holders are longer than a typical, modern 35mm film canister, which can drop down in use.
I was having problems loading my leica iiif with 35mm film. It solved my screw mount loading problems, withoug getting my fingers in the wrong places to nudge the film into place. The real reason to shoot with a leica iiia is to use leica s superior optics, not to waste film with dinky lenses. However, the operational differences between the iiia and a more recent iiif are not many, the main differences being flash synchronization and a selftimer on the iiif. Center is a leica ltm spool with spring loaded end from one of my iiif bodies. According to a friend in japan, they are often called barnack cameras after the leica s designerinventor oskar barnack. Depending on how you want to count, the leica iiif is the seventh generation in leicas series of screw mount interchangeable lens rangefinder more commonly called the ltm or leica thread mount cameras. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone.
The body is extremely solid because of its unusual construction. Using a classic camera can test the nerves of any photographer. Barnack leica, and bought myself a iiif from ebay, and a 50mm elmar f2. The leica iii uses a coupled rangefinder distinct from the viewfinder. Feb 23, 2018 because when i owned a iiif red dial, it was fun to shoot, the lenses were cheaper and just as good and with the proper leica adapters could be used on the ms.
Next followed the leica iiib, leica iiic, d, leica iiif and finally the last model the. I was looking at and started reading about the leica iiif and iiig cameras. Always cut 10cm 4 like written in the original instruction. He has a first class reputation and specializes in repair of film leica s. This model is a leica iiif body without the slowspeed button. Today, youll need to trim the leader of each roll of film to load film easily. May 31, 2012 new to leica ually use canon stuff 60d and g1x. I think its because the take up leader strip is too short.
Sep 23, 2006 flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Well, one extra little thing that you dont want to worry about is getting your film to fit inside the camera. On the left is the onepiece old ltm spool used through the iiic at least. May 31, 2012 but, i want to try experimenting with film again, and using a nice rangefinder. The leica iiif and leica iiig both share the same film loading process where you have to physically cut a strip out of every roll of 35mm film before loading it into the camera.
The musthave feature of the new iiif is perfect flash. Top, leica iiif and collapsible leica summicron 50mm f2. There are one or two suggestions on the net, and of course there is the official leica tool the ablon which costs a couple of hundred. This is a cutting template that allows you to trim the film leader to the perfect length and shape.
Old leica screwmount cameras were designed to be used with longer leaders. The leica iiif is leica s most popular screwmount camera, having made about 180,000 of them. As with even modern leica film cameras it is necessary to remove the bottom plate from the camera and thread the film through from one side to the other. If you havent used a iiif before, its a rather quirky camera by modern standards. May 02, 2015 the structural rigidity of the leica iiic is due in no small part to the fact that it does not have a removable or opening back. A guide on how to shoot street photography on a film leica. As such, they will only load properly with film which has the long, oldstyle film leaders. Nov 24, 2012 maybe you should change the title of this article to what is the best leica m for me. This model seems like the best way read least expensive to get a leica screw mount shooter. Most will benefit from a service, which can cost half the price of the camera many will have significant issues like dim rangefinders or shutter problems. The iiif was a rumored secret as late as summer 1950.
Comparing the top plates of the two cameras, you can see the obvious influences. Am looking at the canon p rangefinder, or a leica iiif. I know a lot of street photographers who have gotten into film recently, and have recently invested in film leicas specifically leica m6s. Used leica film cameras for sale buy or sell online keh. The leica iii a camera was designed and released first. Leica gained fame by being the first company to fully embrace and subsequently popularize the 24x36mm film format that would henceforth be known as 35mm and todays fullframe digital sensors. Discussing cutting film in leica screw mount cameras. Barnack and his colleagues at leitz have long ago determined it to be so. Save up to 40% retail price and get a 180day warranty. I follow the procedure described in stephen gandys web site you must be logged in to see this link. What i like from this camera is the limited shutter speed, it forces me to think. Why would one of these screw mount cameras be favored over an m2 or m3.
Leica iif is a 35mm film interchangeable lens rangefinder camera, manufactured by ernst leitz wetzlar, former west germany and produced between 195156. Not only am i finding the iiif devilishly difficult to load, but on several occasions the film has managed to slip midroll and not advance any further, making for a rather interesting but useless pile of multiple exposures. A gussied up film advance knob has been added from the iiif parts bin. Depending on how you want to count, the leica iiif is the seventh generation in leica s series of screw mount interchangeable lens rangefinder more commonly called the ltm or leica thread mount cameras. Ive had several m leicas but im new to the world of the barnack cameras.
Many of the leica iiif features serve to illustrate the fundamentals of 35mm cameras. Aug 15, 2016 quick demo showing you how to load the leica iiig rangefinder camera. After much annoyance and destroying of film womp, im trying to figure out what went wrong. Loading film in these old cameras is a bit of a pain, a pain i am shortly to endure. These cameras were produced starting in the 1930s and evolved through to the 1950s. Above is the camera i probably use more than any other camera i own, and i own a bunch of them. In the late 50s nicca greatly improved upon leica s basic design to create what i believe is the best of the small leica screw mount cameras. The viewfinders essentially there are two are small and can lead to vague framing if you dont slow down. The structural rigidity of the leica iiic is due in no small part to the fact that it does not have a removable or opening back. The shutter cocking and film advance are made by a knob. Best way to use a leica iii film forum leica forum. For those not familiar with leica rangefinders, there is no camera back. My leica iii is like the one in the photo, a iiif with selfshutter.
There are one or two suggestions on the net, and of course there is the official leica tool the ab. My loading problems disappeared when i got the leica film cutting template codeword albon, if i recall correctly. For illustration purposes, well use the leica iiif. Speeds are given by two dials, one on top for short speeds from 1 s to s and one on the front of the body for slow speeds down to 1 s. Renowned photojournalist david burnett just posted this short 2minute video showing how you load film into the old screwmount, knobwind. The traditional view is that ltm cameras require a much longer and thinner film leader to ensure proper film loading. Nov 24, 2019 if you are no using the leica reloadable film canisters, place a small cone shaped spring on the exposed bottom of the film cassette, before replacing the bottom plate, or you may very well see exposed sprockets because, the prem cameras holders are longer than a typical, modern 35mm film canister, which can drop down in use. I dont worry about them with coated lenses, since round hoods block the finder. The leica iii is a rangefinder camera introduced by leica in 1933, and produced in parallel with the leica ii series. Because when i was younger someone offered me a price for my outfit that i thought that i couldnt refuse. Its a leica iiig 35mm film camera with a leicavit trigger winder and an external viewfinder to allow the use of the 3. Leitz leica iiif manual focus 35mm film camera rangefinder. There is only one correct way to load film into a fed, zorki 1,s,2,2s,and 5 ltm leica, some canon rf, zenit1,s, 3, and other bottom loading cameras.
The problem with bottom loading cameras is that the film can be difficult to load. I dont really care with the battery, a spare battery is not that big and if that was important for me i would get another model instead. Leica iiif black dial 35mm camera body, chrome at keh camera. When loading a film, leica advises trimming the leader but the only time i ever tried doing that it didnt make the job any easier. More than average wear for the age of the item, and may have dents, dings or finish loss. Make sure the film is fully seated so that the sprockets are properly aligned. Nicca 5l aka tower 4546 best small body leica screw. I had a leica iiig some years ago but never was happy with it. With the advantages of digital technology using film can seem pointless. So, i picked up a new old leica iiif approx 1951 according to the serial number data here black dial from keh. I wont get into the differences between the different leica models, as i am not a leica historian, and you can look it up elsewhere. The quirky film loading and cutting the leader is odd at first but i soon got used to it. Loading film is a trial, but with practice it becomes merely slow.
Nicca 5l aka tower 4546 best small body leica screw mount camera. People were told not to wait for a new camera, and just buy the iiic. Find great deals on ebay for leica iiif and leica iiic. I have a leica iiif rdst with selftimer, made in 1954. Its not advancing, and some of holes ripped in the effort. May 30, 2016 leica gained fame by being the first company to fully embrace and subsequently popularize the 24x36mm film format that would henceforth be known as 35mm and todays fullframe digital sensors. Leica iiib body, leica 50mm f2 summitar lens, trix developed in hc110 dilution b once you start shooting with a leica youll notice its quirks, and number one is loading the film through the bottom. The leica brand inspires more passion and near hatred than nearly any other marque of camera. For other cameras, illustrations often do not match reality. As far as loading your camera, it is awkward and a bit tricky at. If you want to learn more about 35mm design features, such as film transport systems, please refer to the. My new to me iiif hailing from 1953 together with a 75yearold f2 summitar 5cm lens. Priced to sell, the rating of the equipment is at 70 to 79 percent of original condition. Sep 30, 2006 i assue its the precision of the leica that makes it easier to load the film.