IIIg - just for curiosity

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That IIIf question got me to thinking. What is the view finder of a IIIg like? Do the frame lines change like on an M3 or are they forever there? There are two view ports on the back of the IIIg - I guess one is the VF the other the RF, however, on the front of the camera there are four windows. If I remember right, two round, one large rectangle and one small. What is the function of each? Are the IIIgs worth what they appear to go for?

-- mark (mramra@qwest.net), April 12, 2001

Answers

The IIIG viewfnder has framelines, whereas previous screwmounts had none. There is a set of lines for the 50mm, and a set of brightline "corners" (no "lines") for the 90mm. These frames are permanent - there are no cams on screwmount lenses to change framelines. However (and this was a first) the framelines move with focusing to give you parallelex compensation. The viewfinder more resembles that of the M3 than other screwmounts. It is very bright by comparison.

You are correct about the 2 viewers on the back.

The 4 windows on the front of the camera are for A) viewfinder - 1 window, B) viewfinder illumination (so you can see the brightlines) - 1 window, and C) rangefinder - 2 windows.

"Is a IIIG worth the going rate"? Well, that's all relative. Are Leica's in general worth the going rate? Is the modern 35mm Summilux ASPH worth the going rate? Is a 280/2.8 R lens worth the going rate? Yes for some people, and no for some others.

I think the primary considerations for value are 1) are you going to USE the camera (versus put it on the shelf), and 2) are you already accustmed to M viewfinders. A Yes answer to both of these questions means you should seriously consider investing in a user IIIG, rather than earlier screwmounts.

I would give up my IIIC and IIIF screwmounts, but you will have to pry my IIIG out of my cold dead fingers.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), April 12, 2001.


Ken has answered excellently, the IIIg is the only screw mount camera that I would seriously consider as a rival to an M camera. It is the most refined and with the parallax corrected viewfinder and standardized shutter speeds it is a beauty. Much smaller than an M too, but the r/f is not nearly as accurate as the contemporary M3. Now perhaps you can see why it is such an expensive camera to buy - it is both practical and collectable. The high price is the thing that puts most users off too: let us face it, for about the same price you could buy an M3/M2 or even at a stretch an M6 - and these are much more practical really. But still they do have an attraction....

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 12, 2001.

The IIIg's price is a reflection of its collector status, which affects prices for user examples as well as mint ones. The Cosina Bessa R is many times more user-friendly as a platform for shooting LTM lenses, and the Cosina lenses outclass the decades-old Leica lenses. I dearly love my old IIIa and IIIf, I've had them since I was a teenager, and not long ago had them both beautifully restored by John Maddox. I exercise them once in a while, but trimming film leaders and threading lenses and separate rangefinder windows and 2 shutter dials and having to wind on before changing fast speeds, and knobs for winding and rewinding...thanks but no thanks. I wouldn't pay for a IIIg, historically-significant as it is.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 12, 2001.

Wouldn't one of the later model Canon screw mount cameras be a better buy for the money as far as features and ease of use in a vintage screw mount camera? The prices I've seen recently for a IIIG are higher than most all the M series cameras--over $1500 for a nice clean example that's been serviced recently. On the other hand, probably better than putting your money in the stock market or a lousy 4% CD.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), April 12, 2001.

I've owned M4's, a CL, and now a IIIg. Now admittedly I got the proverbial 'steal' of a deal. A medical university who is a customer of mine was getting rid of a bunch of 'OLD STUFF'. I got a IIIg, 50 and 90 Elmars, all in boxes, as new, with full manuals and warranty cards. Total price, gulp, $150.00. (yes $150.00). The reason I had purchased the CL was that I personally find, for the shooting I do, (I need to be as inconspicuous as possible) that the M series was too big. I liked the CL but admittedley it does not have the Leica heft that lets you know you are shooting a 'serious' camera, though of course this doesn't really matter at all in making an image. With the IIIg I have the best of both worlds. Fitted with the LTM 35 Summicron Asph (whose steep price offset the great price of the camera), I have a camera much smaller than the M4, but with the feel I never had from the CL. It may not be evryones cup of tea, and for many it would be a less than ideal 'only body', but to summarily disregard it, as some have, is completely unjust. They are using the same argument the Nikon A/F user uses when they dis the M6.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), April 12, 2001.


$150.00?!?! That's my definition of OBSCENE.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), April 13, 2001.

Ken - I try and not let the guilt bother me too much. But a hint for everyone out there. Often university dept sell off amazing stuff, often with little wear for obscene amounts. Contact your local university and have them put you on the mailing list that they must send out to announce these sales. At the same 'sale' that I pick up the Leica gear, a friend purchased a 16mm Arriflex, with sound gear, prime lens plus zooms, etc, a $25,000.00 value for $2500.00. With a $1500.00 tuneup he recently filmed a documentary that he sold to PBS. As well, two Leica binocular microscopes went to $250.00 each. Only downside is knowing where your education tax dollars go.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), April 13, 2001.

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