Leica III maintenance

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Hi, Some 35 years ago my father gave me his cherished Leica III, which he used extensively whilst being war correspondent during the Rommel campaign in North Africa. I have used it ever since, and now I lend it sometimes to my fotographer son. It has become a family relic.

The camera is black/chrome, No. 260293, equipped with Summar f5cm 1:2 lens No. 382390. As far as I have been able to investigate, this camera is one of a batch of 400 manufactured in 1937. It is with its original leather case, and I even have the original Users Manuals parts 1 and 2 printed in Oct. and Dec. 1936 respectively.

My problem is that after decades of use, the pull-out mechanism of the lens is rather worn, it does not arrest properly in the extended position, and the aperture setting is one point out of sync. Otherwise the camera is in excellent working condition.

So I guess I have two alternatives: 1- Find someone in Chile, where I live, to do a general maintenance/repair of the camera and lens, or 2- Try to find a complete lens in better condition, for replacement. IS THERE ANYONE WHO DOES ADVANCE INTERCHANGE OF RECONDITIONED LENSES FOR THIS MODEL?

In your experience, what would you recommend as safest action and best cost/solution?

Thanks in advance for your guidance! Best regards, Bernd Clauss

-- Bernd Clauss (bclauss@sill.cl), May 13, 2002

Answers

Bernd - That sounds a well travelled camera. The trouble is the Summar lens is not a popular objective due to its tendency to go 'soft' as a result of scratches on the relatively soft front element of the lens. They can be re-polished but if I were you I would wait until a clear Summar comes up on Ebay and try to buy that. There are a few around and as most people don't use them you have a chance of putting your outfit in good order again for a reasonable price. According to Rogliatti a 1937 Summar should have a number in the range 345001 to 416500. Good luck.

-- Tony Brookes (gdz00@lineone.net), May 13, 2002.

Bernd, there is only one place I've used to service my vintage Leica gear and they're in Canada - Gerry Smith at Kindermann. I have no hesitation in refering people to him - good work and an honest fellow.As for the Summar, I currently have two and would suggest that given their value, for a lens to use, it would be more cost effective to purchase a "used" one in good shape rather than re-condition yours. But, talk to someone like Mr. Smith and they can advise on costs.

-- Peter J. Hanlon (peter.hanlon@3web.net), May 13, 2002.

Bernd,

First, does the camera work OK? If it does, I wouldn't bother getting it serviced.

If the Summar produces photos you like, then spend $50 -75 and get it completely serviced. I'm sure that there are competent repairmen in Santiago near you for such a straightforward repair.

If the Summar is too soft, then you have lots of options for a replacement lens. You could get any of the Leica 50mm LTM lenses available: Summar, Elmar, Summarit, or Summicron. Or you could get a Canon or Nikon lens. If you want modern image quality on a classic body, spring for one of the new Cosina/Voigtlander 50/2.5 lenses in the spectacular chrome finish (US$325).

Skip

-- Skip Williams (skipwilliams@pobox.com), May 13, 2002.


Since the camera has been in use for a good 60 years, I would send it in for a complete CLA. Kinderman in Canada or DAG here in the US would be a good place to start. Stephen Choi, who runs Camera Service Center here in L.A,. did a full CLA on my IIIC and even replaced a dim mirror. You can find the contact information for all of these places and more on the repair page at www.lhsa.org. As far as the Summar goes, I think it would be historicly nice to keep it with the camera it has been part of for all of these years. Focal Point did a great job on the CLA of my Summar. You would send it to them and see if it can be salvaged. Of course you could pick up a replacement Summar for $150-200 dollars or grab one on ebay. Other period lenses would include the Elmar 50/3.5 or a Summitar. By the way, is the lens or camera body marked with something like "Heer" or other military markings? If so this camera and lens could be worth a good amount of money.

cheers,

feli

-- Feli (feli2@earthlink.net), May 13, 2002.


I am thinking that this camera has great personal value to you, since your father used it for many historical photographs and gave it to you...the camera has a "life" and should not be discarded...not even the lens since the lens imaged all the wonderful photographs your father took with it.

I disassembled a Summar a few years ago and it it not difficult to adjust the aperture ring...just a few screws on the ring. There is a piece of thread, or something similar, that runs around the inner ring at that point that often needs replacing. Lubrication is also important since the aperture ring can get tight. My Summicron 50 f/2 is a bit tight...needs degreasing...which can be done with a carefully placed drop of lighter fluid on the groove that separates the dial from the aperture numbers. Don't try it, however, unless you've done some similar work like that previously.

I would seriously think about getting the whole lens cleaned and adjusted, ONLY because it has personal and historical value to you.

I also liked the touch of softness I got with the Summar. It's ok to own one, even if you have a sharper lens like a Summicron (etc.), just for that mild soft effect...it's great for portraits.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), May 13, 2002.



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