I inherited my Dad's IIIf in January and I could not even hold it for weeks, he took pictures of me as a kid with that thing 55 years ago. Despite owning my own Leica R cameras and an M3, this was like the holy grail of cameras for me. I sent it off for a CLA and when it came back I took it out - it blew me away, yes its quirky but Jesus does it take outrageous images - I love it and will use it quite often - enjoy it very much - look forward to watching the vid later

The fascinating thing is that after almost 70 years the camera still works, in the point of longevity probably no digital will ever be able to keep up.

I’ve got a Leica IIIf with a Jupiter 8 attached. It’s the first vintage camera I’ve ever owned. I don’t shoot with it often, but I absolutely LOVE it! It’s awesome to new people taking an interest in film & photography! Great video as always!!!

just a thought - when Jacob was have trouble lining up the range finder - I shoot several different range finders - Leica and Nikon mostly, but occasionally others ( might have to quit finding range finders LOL ) - BUT- if I am having trouble seeing the twin image merge - it sometimes helps to change the camera's orientation - landscape to portrait and focus (or vice versa)- then return to the desired composition and shoot - I think it might be a matter of the contrast in the image, but whatever causes it - it often works for me

What a timing. Only few hours before this video came into my youtube feed I ordered Leica IIC for myself. Not exactly same camera model but still a Barnack Leica.

I have a iiif with a tack sharp Industar 22. When loading I don't bother trimming, just slide a business card down the back first. Then the film. The card stops the film catching the back pressure plate. Works a treat. Love this camera, the small size being its real advantage.

I just bought one of these. I always turned up my nose to Leica, I always saw them as a camera hype brand akin to Supreme or Louis Vuitton, Rolex. Sure, they’re well made, but my Canon does just as well. I ended up going hasselblad for a while, as I loved the ruggedness and large form factor. But the III series is iconic, and now that I have my hands on one, I really think it’s the quintessential Leica. Yes, the M line is more advanced. But the III series is what truly cemented Leica as an icon in the photographical world. And I love mine. I just bought it today, a red dial. I’m loading my first roll tomorrow!

I collect these little beauties I do a KZfaq vlog about mine from time to time. Yours is the later Red Dial version (RD) the numbers for syncronising different speed flash bulbs engraved around the shutter control with that collar are red as opposed to the earlier black ones. It was the first Leica to leave the factory with flash sync but it's not unusual to see for sale earlier models like the IIIc that are returned to the factory for an upgrade to the IIIf spec. Or an earlier camera that has been fitted with flash sync alone. Loading one of these , like everything else, gets better with practice. Making the leader longer is so that initially only one set of sprocket holes have to sync up with the sprockets.

The IIIF is no doubt the most affordable way to join the Leica rangefinder club. I still have it, combined with the 50/3.5 Elmar, it makes a compact, easily pocketable setup. Whenever I want something quicker, sure any SLR will outperform the IIIF. But when I'm in the mood of doing things slower (for glasses users like me, composing through the IIIF's rather small VF is sometimes annoying), it's not that bad :D

Nice work, it’s amazing how they’ve lasted so well. You’ve convinced me to add one to my collection (Fed2 & 4 Zorki4 Kiev2 & M3). Well done remembering to wind on before setting the shutter speed, they really don’t like it the other way! (M3 excepted).

I have a Leica IIIf Red Dial with self timer. The little lever around the rewind knob is a diopter adjustment that magnifies the view through the rangefinder, making focus easier. I also load film your way, just making sure to trip the shutter in time mode so tge curtain stays open. Great camera, but with my aging eyes I prefer the Canon IVSB, which has a combined rangefinder and viewfinder in one window.

Hey Roger. You and Jacob certainly had lots of fun. Congratulations with the Leica 111F. Thanks for a great update.

Oooh good timing, been looking at one of these!

That little Elmar is a stellar lens!! I love the look of the images!

I was looking forward to this video. I really enjoy using my 1955 Leica iif, basically a iiif without slower shutter speeds, which I find 25th of a second is just find for my purposes. Loading gets easier after a few rolls. A bit of a tip, I usually count the film sprocket holes till you get 22, then cut from there.You should be cutting away 14 film holes from the already trimmed leader. After that extend the film 2 more holes. Making it total 24 then load into camera and slightly turn rewind knob so its taught. There you go.Welcome to the Leica Club and Fantastic Prints. 🍻

I have a LOT of screw-mount Leicas, from the early 'hockey stick' ones to the final iteration, the IIIg. My personal favorite is the IIIc, which doesn't have the flash synchronization cluttering up the camera top so much. I really appreciate the craftsmanship that went into these cameras. Sure, they don't turn you into a superior photographer, but they certainly are great tools. Also, I've been loading them like you do for ages. Guiding the film into position through the open shutter. Some folks still freak out when you say you load your camera that way. Anyway, thanks for the interesting video. Keep'em coming.

Hope to see a few more videos featuring that camera!

I have a IIIC. Love it - lovely camera to use, very intuitive when you know how to use, amazing results and lens, small and relatively light, superb engineering and build quality. Really can’t fault it and one of my favourite cameras to use

Really nice camera and lens. I have the Leica iif, a 1954 model with the 50mm lens. A little hard to use but if you take your time gives nice results.

I have a 1951 Leica Iiif with the same lens, but a very worn body, and the viewfinder lens missing. I use an accessory viewfinder which which allows me to use other lenses as well. It's a superb camera and I've taken some cracking shots with it. The other lenses I have are a Russian 35mm and a Canon 135mm. I shot some infrared film through it with a special filter but I haven't got round to developing it yet. Thanks for the reminder!

I have enjoyed this episode as I have been shooting with Leica's since 1997. I have 4 screw mount Leica's, a 1936 III (model A), a 1939 III (Model G), a 1951 Red dial IIIF, a 1957 IIIG and a 1974 MDa M-Mount. They are very dependable and the Leica lenses are super sharp!

They say don't meet your heros but shooting Leica for the first time was magical for me.

Very enjoyable to watch. Informative and helpful.

Cracking little camera, that one. My wife's uncle has IIIf that I've been shooting some rolls with. I was surprised at how easy it was to get used to the separate rangefinder window. And those lenses are really good! Leica made some seriously impressive glass even back then. Oh yeah and I load it like you do with the opening the curtain trick.

I have a 1933 Leica iii. The reason for cutting the film for loading is to prevent cutting or catching the shutter curtain. Measure and cut the film leader to the correct length and practice loading, it will soon become second nature. Replacing the curtain would be rather expensive.

I have a IIIf Red Dial Self-timer and owned a IIf as well. Both are superb cameras that I used throughout my years living abroad, so I could that these cameras have sentimental value. The quirkiness has become a ritual for me, and knowing how to properly use them is like a secret handshake that only the Leicapeople know well... hehehe.

Just purchased one a couple months back and I've been loving it. It's such a conversation starter hanging around one's neck and really disarms people when shooting street. I love / hate how slow the process is focusing and composing but I added a Leica 5cm viewfinder that fell into my lap to the cold shoe and that helps with composition and easier on my eyes once I get focus achieved. Great video and thanks for posting, I hope you shoot yours much more.

"Not expecting any jaw droping photography" goes on to drop that absolutly gorgeous compositoon with the light pole and the handrail. Great little review!

Leica III cameras are well known for their great image and durability. Knew an old friend who bought his IIIf in the early 1950s and stuck with it for decades. His main lens was the Elmar 50mm f3.5 and he shot mainly Kodachrome 64, which is still the gold standard for stable and life-like color. Takes a bit of practice to use and load any of the Leica III cameras, but if you slow down, it will be fine. Can remember how my friend would host a dinner and show us his slides of travel in Europe and even Macchu Picchu in Peru. Have an M3 which I love for its precision and good images, and I won't ever part with it. Nice of you to share your experiences & photos from a Leica III. Well done❤❤😊

I was just about to purchase a iiif red dial when I mentioned this upcoming purchase to a co-worker. The next day he said he had something for me try. He had a iiig in beautiful condition. I shot a couple of rolls through it and showed him the results. He offered to sell it to me for a terrific price and I jumped at it. He said he discounted the camera because I helped him when he was building his house. I would call that favor well and truly returned! I always trim the film and am getting more efficient at the task of loading. I am terrified of damaging the curtains due to not cutting the film.

Really lovely cameras those. I've never tried one myself, but I have held one in my hand trying to justify buying it to myself. But never went for it. Should probably have though. Thank you for bringing us along once again. It is very enjoyable watching your videos and I do also learn a lot.

That is a sweet looking camera

I bought one of these many years ago. It has the 35mm Summaron. Absolutely takes the sharpest images. Never shot the 50mm with it but would like to. Great video. Buy a wrist strap you were giving me fright 😵

Great video, and looks like an awesome little cam to use. I'd love to get an M6 one day, but in the meantime I have a Leica R5 & R8 SLR to use. perhaps if one of your viewers have one you could try out you could do a video on them, great camera's to use and produce beautiful shots.

I have two IIIf leicas. One is black dial the other is a red dial with self timer. Mechanical masterpiece are the Barnak rangefinders. I love mine and have shot a lot of photographs with them

Beautiful camera

About 1964, I saw a IIIf set, camera, lenses, flash, in a fitted case that a college professor had bought in Germany. I thought then and think now, it is one of the most elegant and appealing machines ever made. I used one of my own with a IIIc in active photojournalism for 15 years in Asia during the '70s and '80s, they never let me down. Back then, by the way, all film had leaders cut for the "Leica taper," once one developed the hand memory to load them, it was natural. I usually used them with Canon wide angle lenses, the 19mm, 28 f/3.5 then f/2.8, and the 35mm f/1.5. Sweet shooting, even during violent demonstrations they were a pleasure to use. More than any other camera I've used, the III series Leicas make a palpably aesthetic experience. Couple notes, I learned to wind the film advance by twisting both hands in opposition. I never did machine-gun shooting anyhow and that made operation quite fast enough. Same for rewinding with the knob instead of the folding levers other cameras had, twisting both hands makes reloading relatively fast.

Lovely video as usual, I am a darkroom newbie and I have learnt so many things from this channel! Something curious: you can screw the lens in your enlarger and use the same lens you took the picture with for printing the image! It is only hard to select right aperture but nothing you cannot fix! :)

So love that Leica shutter sound :)

My first camera was a Zenit C which I bought with my first pay packet when I was 15 in 1960. It had a 50mm f3. 5 Industar fully coated lens which produced beautiful Kodachrome slides. I still have it now. It had the same loading system as your Barnack Leica but it was a small reflex camera. I prefer my Zorki 4k rangefinder with a sharp Jupiter 8 50mm f2 lens to these old Leicas. Easier loading system where the back comes off, , one viewfinder with a clear rangefinder patch. Eyesight adjustment in the viewfinder. Only snag, no strap lugs, so I use a leather half case. Leica lenses are good though, and contrast is improved by using a lens hood.

Nice one Roger, always fancied a III but have a CL, kinda like the rangefinder in the viewfinder. If one came up at a good price I’d grab it though!

woooow. great video. I've 2 of those iiif cameras, and I hate the rangefinder it is not visible, I can't see if am in focuse, that is why I've not try them out. I didn't thought about zone focusing. I love your pics with iiif. love them. I think am gonna try to repair the rangefinder of my iiif bodies and wll give a try. you convinced me to do that. thanks for great video/pics.

Hiya Roger, this is my exact setup, been using it for about a year shooting mostly Foma 400/ Tri-x and HP5, I'm going to Portsmouth university to study photography in the coming weeks, I'd love to come and shoot with you some time, have a good one!

I believe that my Leica II is officially 79 years old. It still works flawlessly and is one of two 35mm film cameras that I'll never sell.

Thanks for this! About to try shooting with a Leica!

Very fun Video 😃. I shoot a New but 100% mechanical Leica M-A and a Vintage Summaron 3.5cm F3.5 from 1960s. I find them very robust, compact reliable cameras. And you can still get them services at Leica in Germany.

Hi Roger, I 'm glad you're enjoying your Leica IIIf, and I can understand you because I have a IIIa model (which is slightly elder than yours). It's a great camera and it will never let you down ! You should give a try to the T-Max 100 (TMX) or T-Max 400 (TMY), you'll get astonishing results. Keep enjoying. And if you feel nostalgic, give a try to the TriX ... Best regards. Jorge

Damnnnnn that intro is fire!

Well, I have a Leica IIIb with a F2/50mm Summitar lens myself. It's slightly older (from 1937) and the film speeds are a little different, but other than that, it's very similar to the IIIf. I love the build quality of the camera - nothing else in my collection comes close to it, except for other Leica cameras. The magnification in the range finder window is amazing, and the viewfinder window might be small, but it's bright and clear. It's a real joy to shoot with. You might want to watch some of Matt Osborne's (Mr. Leica) videos about "Barnack Leicas" especially "Vintage Leica iii Cameras "Barnack Leica" - Should You Buy These Old Cameras? (LTM Leica Camera)". There is a lot of useful information in that one video.

I have the Soviet Leica, a FED 2.

I love my Leica III. It says FED-2 on the front, and it's my most enjoyable camera to use. Goes everywhere. I can't get my head round the fact that I can take my glasses off, which reduces the whole world to blur, look through the viewfinder and everything is in focus. Some kind of Soviet magic I tells ya.

Loved my IIIF. Now all I have is an IIIC and IIIG.

I don't have one closes I have is a Zorki 4K. Your photos were sharp great Video as always

I wondered if you'd get one of these. Welcome to Leica. I have an R6 SLR.

I regularly shoot with a 1956 Lecia IIf, which was the same as the III, but without the slow shutter speed dial. I use it with a Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 or a Jupiter 8 50mm f2, both fine lenses that give nice, sharp, and contrasty, results. It gets a CLA every couple of years. Not that slow to use either, once one gets the hang of hyperfocal distances, although I have to say that technique works better with the Soviet len than with the Voigtlander.

i don't have a leica, but i do have a Foca. it's a french copy of a leica, mine is from 1947 and a copy of the leica II. i say copy but apparently the mecanism are quite different and the rangefinder and viewfinder are in the same window. For lenses, i have the standard 50 3.5 and 135mm which is a nightmare to use as the rangefinder is only coupled to the 50mm and you have to use an external viewfinder. but it's a really pretty camera which you could find for pretty cheap until recently, really fun to and really good lenses. that's my only experience of a "leaica-esque" camera have fun with yours !

I have both a IIf and IIIf beautiful cameras. Also known as the Barnack camera after Oskar Barnack the guy who invented it for Leica

I just acquired a Leica iiif with the 5cm Elmar and also a 9cm and a 13.5cm, and now I found a Jupiter-12 3.5cm on eBay. Also added the Voigtlander VC-Meter II. The camera is off to DAG for a full overhaul and I am looking forward to getting it back, eventually. iiif bodies are not terribly expensive, so I have thought about getting another to load with color film. Otherwise, my Nikon Z8 will get the most work (I think).

I have the same camera and i have no problem to load the normal way but after some practice i must say. As you said this lens is very sharp and the camera is very nice. You said you had problem to focus at some point...may be you touched the lever at the left side which was not at your sight anymore. It hapens to me often!

Eggleston loves these cameras.

The camera is amazing, but... but the blacks on that film... I love them!

I just bought one a few days ago, but I couldn't afford camera body and lens, so I am waiting for a soviet lens. Can't wait to use it. I think the wait is a good thing. It will give me time to learn how to use it and not been in a hurry to jump in, and maybe do some damage. Thanks for the video.

Good picture of the groyne @12:41! ;-)

I want one!

Depending on how one holds the camera, a finger can cover the front range window, eliminating the focusing patch. This is less common with a Leica, but a huge problem using the Zeiss Contax II and III.

So you go to the dark side... but you are forgiven because it's an old model and you're a good photographer unlike most of the youtuber who own a M6 or other too expensive leica and take crappy pictures with them 😂

Beautifully made and cutting edge in its day, but slow and fussy to use. Probably won't be swapping my Nikon F2 for one.

You forgot to mention the tab around the rewind knob, it focuses the rangefinder ;-)

Dont have a leica but some day maybe. The closest I have is fed 3 which was leica copy from the soviets. Bit later model, since it has a coupled rangefinder. Also my fed is a hybrid of 2 half working ones which also happened to be slightly different model. It did come with the lens that is copy of that leitz elmar, industar-22. Unfortunately that one is broken atm.

Load it according to the manufacturer. All iit takes is that one time where it isn't loaded correctly, and you're knob deep in a repair bill.

Nice camera but I am not sure about the film. My son bought a Leica IIIF but it had a fault, there were tiny pinholes in the shutter curtain because the previous owner had left the lens cap off of the lens, this meant that light was constantly shining on the curtain when it was not stored. Tip: keep the lens cap on when not in use.

Video @ 3:05 - "I found some guy on KZfaq" - Well then, that's a trusted source. - Please be advised, if one doesn't perform this extremely important procedure (trimming the film leader to the correct length), then confidence is high that the pressure plate 'sharp edged' return springs will slice bits of film that directly enter the shutter. Leica obviously went to the trouble of installing 6 precision parts for this important dictate/signage. - Finally, easily 75% of the LTM units I get in for service, HAVE film debris jamming or dragging the shutter mechanism. This is directly attributed to folks being lazy about this important loading requirement...

I have the iii which I like very much but the rangefinder patch and viewing window are separate windows with a gap in between. The Zone focusing is a great idea around this if you have problems. Weegee said f/8 and your there - mind you he used Speed Graflex 😉

The IIIf is one of my main go-to cameras - there is nothing like the experience of shooting these classic screwmount bodies. This isn’t so far removed from the camera that basically invented 35mm stills photography. Just one thing, PLEASE do not do the thumb-through-the-shutter trick to load your film! It is not difficult to trim the leader, it’s so quick and easy to freehand once you get the hang of it. All you need is a pair of scissors, I count 11 sprocket holes off the edge and try to make a decently smooth slope as I cut ‘em off. Old 35mm films used to come with the leader cut like this already, I’m not sure when it changed to what we have today but I have some unexposed Kodak film “For Leica” in my freezer dating back to the 1930’s, and it has a really, really long leader. Another thing you may or may not notice, but on earlier Leica IIIf bodies (and all preceding Leica cameras for that matter) the images on your negative will be shifted into the sprocket holes on one side. This is because the design of the Leica III actually predates Kodak introducing the “135” cartridges in 1934, as we know it today. Photographers had to bulk load their film into FILCA cassettes prior to that! The standard 135 cassette is actually slightly smaller than the FILCA, and the chamber in the camera the FILCA is meant to drop into, this means the film in commercial 35mm carts actually drops down in the body and rides a bit low. Thus, your exposures are shifted a bit to one side of the film, into the sprockets. You can see this on many classic photographs, like Capa’s D-Day photos, or some of Cartier-Bresson’s photos - they are partially exposed into the sprocketholes. At some point in the 50’s Leica started putting a little metal foot on the baseplate to prop up the film canister so it wouldn’t shift down in the body. Maybe your camera has that. My earlier black dial variant does not, I’ve experimented with putting various things in there to make up for the difference in size. Though it’s typically not the end of the world to just shoot the film as-is. Bulk loading in original FILCA carts solves that problem too. Another thing, that 50mm Elmar is quite a lens, and Leica used to recommend printing with it as well! It’s the same screwmount as any enlarger lens. It should be particularly good at f/5.6 or 8. Would love to see you give this a shot, print a photo with the same lens that took it!

I also own a Leica IIIf with the 50mm Elmar. It’s a good camera, it looks very ancient and is probably the least attractive part of the camera to me. The lens is great, the shutter speeds are good with the maximum shutter speed of 1/1000. This is probably the cheapest way to get into Leica rangefinder film cameras. Does it hold up to a M series? Probably not. Would I trust it to do serious photos? Probably not, but for fun it’s great. Over all great camera. Mine was CLA’ed. I am not sure if these models are even repairable anymore if shutter curtains are ever needed.

Been wanting to get myself a IIIf, but they're a little expensive on eBay at present. I'll get one, one day!!!

I got a 1947/48 IIIc which I really love. Just a bit difficult to focus with eye glasses - this rangefinder window is so small! When I bought the camera, the seller advised me to avoid moving the time wheel directly from 1/1000 to B or vv. since this could damage the mechanism. Not sure of that's true or he was just extremely careful; nevertheless I took over this habit.

Try focusing with both eyes open with the 50mm.

My Leica is a 1951 IIIf that came with a 5cm Summitar. My only problem is the rangefinder. The mirror isn't as bright so it's hard to see the lines when focusing. But I cut a piece of developed unexposed color film and put it on the rangefinder hole for extra contrast. It helps a lot in daylight but does make low light focusing even harder. But for $200 I can't complain. It makes me a better photographer just because of the name, right? But it is a pretty little mechanical device. I don't plan on ever selling it. Loading is hard the first time. I wasted a whole roll not realizing it wasn't winding on. And my last roll I forgot to rewind before removing the bottom plate. Maybe some images survived we shall see. Good video, sir!

Thanks

Coming from SLR shooting, I have to say my first rangefinder experience felt a bit underwhelming. Especially in medium format where the big mirror slap and loud shutter noise is replaced by a barely audible ping/click. And nothing happens in the viewfinder either, lol. We never get to look through all the amazing lenses either. But the unobtrusiveness is a great bonus when shooting in public of course. My weirdest RF is the Werra 3 from the former DDR/GDR. But it works well and is far easier to focus than your IIIf. Cheers and thx for a fun channel. (subbed).

Next time, print the photos using the same lens. The 5cm Elmar was made and could be used also mounted on the enlarger for printing.

I shoot a iiiF and absolutely love it! Be careful with your loading method, I’ve seen many Barnack Leica shutters destroyed using that method. I would love to send you a Leica Ablon that makes it super easy to trim your film. The originals cost a lot of money but I can 3D print one for you. If you send me your mailing address I will get one over to you.

You are loading it wrong. You never put your finger into the camera to adjust the film. You cut the film so you have a longer leader, feed the end into the take up spool, space the distance between the cartridge and carefully drop it in. With practice it becomes easy. The camera was used by Henri Cartier Bresson.

Nice camera if you have the £££. Alternatively, I have a Zorki One bought at a small fraction of the cost. Works perfectly well, and I bet in a blind test one could not detect any difference in results between Elmar and Industar lenses.

It's unfearful to hand over a Leica to daughter boyfriend. Well done! Rule: "No friendship w/o acceptance of the father."

I've thinking about getting one but I'm a little worried about the range finder / view finder. I have a Kodak Retina iiic, a Yashica GSN and an Olympus XA. If anybody has shot with any of these cameras, how would they compare with the Leica?

Baller dad to hang out with his daughter's boyfriend. Nice shots guys!

Hi I have a iiic and two canon screw mount beautiful little camera , also have an M4 and some digital cameras Nice to see a novice having a go. I do quite a lot of arty farts shots

"This is my daughter's boyfriend, Jacob." "Jacob, did you know lots of accidents happen on the sea shore?" lol Beautiful camera.

I’ve just bought a Leica 2. Can you extend the lenses halfway .?

It must be a major pain in the derriere having separate rangefinder and view finder windows? I played with a Leica M-A , Leica's brand new film camera, in the Leica store down here in Melbourne Australia and the rangefinder patch was big bright and lovely. Very easy to use. The guy in the shop told me just to leave my credit card on the front counter and said `You want to get me divorced do you?'

Hi Mate ,As these leica's with elmar lense's can sell from around £500.00 's upwards it might be a good thing to fit it with a strap so you can't drop it .Best wishe's .Roger Creighton.

does that B on the dial not represent bulb mode? i can't see faffing with T mode if there's a bulb mode available.

OMG Roger I found your old channel you still had hair! But I guess lucky us you ditched the digital photography channel :) Else we wouldn't have a gem like SFLaB channel. BTW, also had a Leica M4-P. Sold it due to unreal lens prices. The camera was great, mechanically very pleasing. Use a Canon LTM lens on it. When I couldn't afford a nifty 50, I just sold it.

Very complicated I am glad the newer camera’s are easier to use.

What kind of paper did you print with?

I love that photo of Jacob with the daily Mail reader in background with his hand up ‘no photos please’ …. Sorry to disappoint, it’s not about you m8

In over 60 years as a Screw Mount Leica Photographer I have never seen anyone try to load a film with a short leader that way. Just cut the leader. It is easy with the accessory template. I have one but never bothered to use it. Cut the leaders before you go out so you don't have to fiddle around when out on the job.

It's a small, light, precise and reliable camera Unfortunately it has a really microscopic viewfinder and has a very pronounced parallax error