I don't have a FED, but I do have a IIIa, IIIc and IIIg. They are much closer to the FED-1, which was a Leica II copy (you might consider a FED-1 if you want to try out this style of camera cheaply). I see that the FED-2 has a combined viewfinder/rangefinder, which none of the Leica III models have. This can take a bit of getting used to, since you have to re-position the camera slightly to use the other finder, and you can't see both at once. From the IIIb onwards, the eyepieces were closer together, which makes this a little easier.
The back is fixed in all these cameras - you have to load from the bottom, which is a little fiddly, and trim the film leader so that it matches the profile in the manual (this is easy once you get the hang of it - I just use scissors, but originally they sold metal templates that have now become collectible and expensive to trim with a sharp knife).
All except the IIIg have small built-in 50mm viewfinders, without framelines. The IIIg, which was a sort of retro model introduced after the M3, has a larger, more modern viewfinder with parallax-corrected framelines for both 50mm and 90mm lenses (but still a separate rangefinder). The IIIg is more expensive than the others, and a bit bigger. The IIIf and earlier are (jacket) pocketable with a collapsible 50mm lens like the Elmar.
All the III-series Leicas have a top speed of 1/1000s except the original iii, which only goes to 1/500s. Slow speeds, as well as T and B, are set via a separate dial on the front of the camera.
Only the IIIf and IIIg had flash sync originally, but sometimes this was added later. This might be a factory job (they'll then have flash dials like the IIIf) or by a third party (anything from a neat socket to some ugly addition).
These cameras are at least 60 years old, and some are closer to 90. Various things may need fixing, and the camera will probably benefit from a service if this hasn't been done in recent decades. This is still possible, but experienced technicians are in high demand, tend to have long lead times, and may charge nearly as much as the cost of one of the cheaper cameras. Common problems include faint rangefinder images, holes in shutter curtains, sticky shutters and chipped or degraded Vulcanite (the hard rubber covering). If you take a look at the stock list of a reliable dealer like Peter Loy, you'll see any issues described in full. Those he describes as in 'full working order' are the minority, which will also be true of other sources like ebay, but the seller may be less forthcoming or knowledgeable about the faults. The same applies to vintage lenses, of course. The relatively soft glass on some of these lenses (e.g. the Summar) is easily scratched, and haze is common.
To order any product or for more information, please call 020 8867 2751 or send an email to peterloy@peterloy.com Updated: 26th March 2026
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