Wouldn't trade my leica F for anything
Written: Dec 08 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: GREAT pictures, incredibly accurate focus and incredible quality
Cons: takes a minute or two to actually load film.
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| nplus1's Full Review: Leica O-Series |
At risk of sounding old by saying "they just dont make things like they used to..." I have to say, Leica definately did things right with their old rangefinder cameras.
(note: as there is no place for me to put this review of my leica III f red dial, I'm putting it here as it is the closest camera..I'll move it when they open an appropriate category)
I thought I might share with you how I came to be the proud owner of a Leica IIIf red dial with a 50 mm summitar lens:
I was driving in the backroads of Pennsylvania with my Nikon 2002 (which I had picked up for about 100 dollars at the time) when I found a small out of the way camera shop. They had several cameras on consignment one of which was this (my) rangefinder. I asked how much the owner was asking and was surprised to hear it was only about 250 bucks. Unfortunately, this was about 200 dollars more than I actually had at the time (poor college student). I was determined to find a way to get this camera. It was a beautiful camera in the old style of range finders: an aesthetically pleasing silver body with real black leather trim, a clear viewfinder and a collapsable 50 mm summitar lens. Heck, the lense itself was worth the $250.
I left and drove home trying to think of a way to buy this camera; but to no avail. About a month later I returned to the shop (again with my Nikon 2002)and asked if the camera was still there (I don't know what I was thinking..I still didnt have the money). They still had the camera AND the owner said that since it wasn't moving, he could accept part or all of the price in trade!!! Well..I hefted off my Nikon, flash and the lens on the camera took the 20 dollars I had out of my wallet and walked out lighter all of that equipment; but heavier a leica and a roll of film.
I immediately went out and shot the whole roll and got the pictures developed at the one hour photolab I worked at at the time. The color saturation was unlike any other camera I had used to that point and I soon discovered why Leica can charge as much as they do: these were some of the best looking pictures I had ever taken. Further, I found that focusing the dual image made for a finer focus. This camera made taking good pictures too easy. My one "gripe" was that it was a royal pain to load the camera. You have to remove the entire bottom of the camera...load one end of the film on the take up spool and then squeeze the film between the pressure plate and the shutter. If it didnt end up just right, you had to remove the LENS, keep the shutter open on "bulb" setting and then position the film against the plate by reaching though the shutter to push the film.
I have to say, you don't want to use these old Leicas for sports photography...but then again thats not what they're for anyway. Once loaded they make great camera to take those landscapes and candids that you look back on and smile.
I was later able to pick up two more lenses relatively cheap (as they were leica screwmount) a vdoom finder and a leica brand external meter.(since the camera is completely manual with no metering. Its nice knowing I have a reliable camera thats been working for 50 yrs and will probably keep working long after I'm too old to use it. I would strongly suggest that anyone with a great love of photography get themselves an old rangefinder camera one of these days.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
nplus1
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Location: San Jose, Ca (east coast transplant)
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 8 members
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