Leica Screw Mount Bodies

RaglanSurf

RaglanSurf

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If you were to buy a Leica screw mount body, which version would you buy and why?

Also as a follow on question assuming you like the screw mount body versions which would you avoid?
 
Nick, I have no real knowledge of Leica screw mount bodies, but I was in Philip's Camera's recently (Philip Spinks' is a Leica collector and dealer mainly within the trade) and I heard the same question being asked. His immediate response was ' a Leica IIIg'. He then went on to give a detailed and above my head exposition of the virtues of the IIIg and why it is a good choice. In part because many issues had been ironed out by the time this camera went into production.

Although my post is not much help in terms of detail, it might help start the ball rolling?
 
Thanks Adrian, that's exactly the sort of answer I was hoping for (y)
 
I love the look of the screw mount bodies, any of them. Recently been considering one myself. Think I've come to the conclusion I'd probably buy a Canon P or 7 with the 50mm 1.4. Purely for the lens, it's got a wonderful reputation. I'm sure I couldn't afford a 'lux.

Decision no doubt influenced by the fact I have M mount.
 
I was looking at a couple of Canon 7's the other day too. I like their overall styling but convinced myself that I've already got enough 35mm kit!
 
I too know very little about Leica screw mounts but my grandad who was a very good photographer swore that the best camera he ever used was a IIIg.
 
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RaglanSurf said:
If you were to buy a Leica screw mount body, which version would you buy and why?
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The Canon P or Voigtlander Bessa R would be my choice. The handling and finder on each of those is much nicer than any of the screw mount Leicas I've tried.
 
Are the Canon/Voigtlander Lenses generally compatible with Leica bodies, and vice versa?
 
Yep. Leica Thread Mount (LTM) is the recognized standard.
 
I must admit, I'd rather have one of those C...C....Ca....other ones, than the Leica.
 
I would get a Reid111 probably the best engineered LTM body, only problems are finding one and a small lottery win to pay for it.:(
 
trevorbray said:
I love the look of the screw mount bodies, any of them. Recently been considering one myself. Think I've come to the conclusion I'd probably buy a Canon P or 7 with the 50mm 1.4. Purely for the lens, it's got a wonderful reputation. I'm sure I couldn't afford a 'lux.

Decision no doubt influenced by the fact I have M mount.
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stevelmx5 said:
I was looking at a couple of Canon 7's the other day too. I like their overall styling but convinced myself that I've already got enough 35mm kit!
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Sejanus Aelianus said:
The Canon P or Voigtlander Bessa R would be my choice. The handling and finder on each of those is much nicer than any of the screw mount Leicas I've tried.
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dizidav said:
I would get a Reid111 probably the best engineered LTM body, only problems are finding one and a small lottery win to pay for it.:(
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Thanks for the responses folks, I appreciate your input but it is a classic Leica I'm thinking about. I obviously should have phrased my question a bit better, If you were to buy a Leica Leica screw mount body, which version would you buy and why?

Andysnap said:
I too know very little about Leica screw mounts but my grandad who was a very good photographer swore that the best camera he ever used was a IIIg.
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Thanks Andy
 
RaglanSurf said:
Thanks for the responses folks, I appreciate your input but it is a classic Leica I'm thinking about. I obviously should have phrased my question a bit better, If you were to buy a Leica Leica screw mount body, which version would you buy and why?
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In that case I would stick with my 111a probably the most recogniseable Leica.
 
RaglanSurf said:
If you were to buy a Leica screw mount body, which version would you buy and why?

Also as a follow on question assuming you like the screw mount body versions which would you avoid?
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A paupers answer for Leica lenses and similar:- use any M42 body (MTL3 for a fiver) and use a M42 to M39 adapter.......I've bought an adapter from China for about £2, ages back, to use an enlarging lens but still haven't used it to see if any possible problems on what sized image on the neg or whatever.
Of course using the adapter only works if the lens can be stopped down manually i.e. not auto
 
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The last time I looked you could buy a very nice M2 or M3 for the price of a iiig. I think either of those would be a better choice. You can use both screw mount and M mount lenses, they have superior viewfinders with combined rangefinder and are easier to load.
 
FujiLove said:
The last time I looked you could buy a very nice M2 or M3 for the price of a iiig. I think either of those would be a better choice. You can use both screw mount and M mount lenses, they have superior viewfinders with combined rangefinder and are easier to load.
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I know better, superior, easier to use etc etc etc and I know you're right in so many ways, but in this instance you're wrong ;) In comparison to newer Leicas the old types don't compare at all apart from the aesthetics and the joy of owning and using an iconic camera. I've had an M3 and still own a variety of Voigtlanders from an L to R3 & 4 I've also got a box full of Russian Leica copies but I have a yearning for a classic Leica and that's the reason for my question.
 
I was talking to the chaps in Real Cameras a while back about the chances of tracing my grandad's IIIg (I have the serial number) they all said that if I wanted a Leica of that era and aesthetic then the IIIf was the one to go for. It's usually a couple of hundred quids cheaper and is virtually the same camera. Just a thought, ignore if you will. :)
 
excalibur2 said:
A paupers answer for Leica lenses and similar:- use any M42 body (MTL3 for a fiver) and use a M42 to M39 adapter.......I've bought an adapter from China for about £2, ages back, to use an enlarging lens but still haven't used it to see if any possible problems on what sized image on the neg or whatever.
Of course using the adapter only works if the lens can be stopped down manually i.e. not auto
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That will only work for closeup and macro. The back focus on M42 is 45.46 mm while that of a Leica screw thread camera is 28.80 mm. By attaching a Leica lens to a M42 camera, you're effectively inserting a 17mm extension tube behind the lens.

There was a 39mm screw mount for the early Soviet Zenit range, which had a back focus of 45.46 mm but the lenses for that are uncommon.
 
RaglanSurf said:
I know better, superior, easier to use etc etc etc and I know you're right in so many ways, but in this instance you're wrong ;) In comparison to newer Leicas the old types don't compare at all apart from the aesthetics and the joy of owning and using an iconic camera. I've had an M3 and still own a variety of Voigtlanders from an L to R3 & 4 I've also got a box full of Russian Leica copies but I have a yearning for a classic Leica and that's the reason for my question.
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Indeed. I know logic often doesn't figure in these things.

Take a look at MWClassic if you haven't already. They have a good selection of very reasonably priced LTM cameras. I bought my Rolleicord from them and it was better than described.
 
FujiLove said:
Indeed. I know logic often doesn't figure in these things.

Take a look at MWClassic if you haven't already. They have a good selection of very reasonably priced LTM cameras. I bought my Rolleicord from them and it was better than described.
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I know, there is no rhyme or reason. I know MW Classic very well, I picked up this from them a couple of weeks ago
Nikon FE + 50mm f1.8 Pancake lens by Nick Watson, on Flickr

I've bought a lot of stuff from them over the years, always helpful and never a problem on the odd occasion things have not been up to scratch.
 
Sejanus Aelianus said:
That will only work for closeup and macro. The back focus on M42 is 45.46 mm while that of a Leica screw thread camera is 28.80 mm. By attaching a Leica lens to a M42 camera, you're effectively inserting a 17mm extension tube behind the lens.

There was a 39mm screw mount for the early Soviet Zenit range, which had a back focus of 45.46 mm but the lenses for that are uncommon.
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Ah! in that case a VG enlarging lens might be superior to a Leica lens for close ups and macro and cheaper.....bit of a nuisance though moving the camera to focus :eek:
 
trevorbray said:
You sure those two things go together ?
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You'd be surprised Trevor, there are quite a few battered users out there that don't cost the earth, it's just trying to find the best of all worlds, not too battered, not too expensive etc etc etc.
 
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