I just purchased the most beautiful Leica IIIC with 50 Collapsable Summicron I've ever seen, as a retirement gift to myself (of course), the SN camera number 410696, with Leica leather (not "sharkskin") with no post war chrome damage...and on and on...perfect!

However, it has one small flash PC outlet on the back directly under the flash, accessory shoe, which I think is great.

Question: Were there IIIC units made at the factory with the PC outlet attached or do you think it is an add-on?

I like it, no problem for me, but I'm just wondering. I also assume that it would synch at 1/30th.

Question #2: my friend gave me a fine Canon 35mm Serenar as a surprise bonus with a couple of turret finders. Any thoughts on that lens? I plan to try it out tomorrow. I'm delighted regardless.

I just got it all a few days ago so I haven't had any film printed as yet.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), May 10, 2002

Answers

Which Canon 35mm Serenar as a surprise bonus did you get? there is a F2.0 model; a F2.8 model; a F3.5model ; F3.5 "made in Occupied Japan" kelly

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), May 11, 2002.

Of course the F3.2 model was right under my nose on Ebay

-- Kelly Flanigan (zorki3c@netscape.net), May 11, 2002.

Leitz and other Leica repair shops could put a PC plug on the IIIc. Check to see if you have a dial around your shutter speed dial that goes from 0-20 in small black letters. You could have a IIIc that was converted into a IIIf. Many IIIc's were converted once Leitz offered the PC synch.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), May 11, 2002.

The Canon Serenar is the f3.2, good clean metal and very clean glass, and appears to be coated. When stopped down there is just a touch of oil along the edge of each aperture blade (not smudged all over) and none appears to be on the glass. I wonder if it needs to be cleaned or if it will be fine just the way it is.

The camera has one simple small PC flash port on the back directly under the accessory shoe. It does not have the black flash numbers around the shutter speed dial. The flash PC port appears to be factory installed (or professionally so) since it is perfect and the are no signs of damage to the metal (as if someone did a bad "after market job," etc).

On a previous IIIC I had many years ago I had to buy a flash adapter and use it at 1/30sec. I am guessing the same is true for this regarding synch speed. However, I don't not plan to use this camera with a flash anyway. I have other equipment for those jobs. I was just wondering if anyone had since a flash port on a IIIC.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), May 11, 2002.

What you're seeing as oil is probably just the buffing of the metal from the leaves of the iris rubbing against each other. It tends to happen appearing as a shiny donut around the iris hole, and perhaps little specks here and there where the leaves touch and rub. On old lenses it can be very shiny.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), May 11, 2002.

Todd, your name isn't an anagram of Bob Todrick by any chance?

-- Dave Carlisle (dave_carlisle@hotmail.com), May 11, 2002.

Nope...I do know Bob through the Rollei Club where he posted some very nice figure images using a IIIg. Wish he would post more.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), May 11, 2002.