About a week ago I mentioned that I purchased a minty Leica IIIC with Summicron 50mm f/2 lens from a friend...getting me back into Leica photography...and back on the leica Forum. My friend also added a few surprises: 4 very high quality filters, an adjustable finder, and a 35mm Canon Serenar f/3.2 lens.

1. I shot a roll Sunday. All images are perfect...technically, with many nice pond and tree landscapes.

2. The after market flash port on the camera worked perfectly with a Vivitar 283 at 1/30 sync speed. Perfect exposure with no areas cut off by the curtain.

3. I took a few shots with the Canon Serenar 35mm f/3.2 also, and all are very sharp with good contrast...it seems to be a very acceptable lens with no noticable flare.

A few years ago I used a friends M6 but found the focusing was difficult for my hands with the small lenses and focus rings.

What I like about Leica threat mount cameras is that I can cup them in my hand nicely, and, using a collapsable lens, I can focus using the protruding focus knob more easily than with just the small ring.

I also use the 4" cut leader for loading purposes, with no problems. I just carry scissors and a cardboard template in my Leica bag, or prepare the film leader in advance.

Unlike other thread mount Leicas I've owned or used previously, this one has a very bright viewfinder, and a split image I can actually see. That was one of the main reasons I sold my previous units. This one is a keeper.

My first roll on this unit was a joy to photograph.

I will post a sample or two later on.

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