Leitz
1950 Leitz Leica IIIf, Freshly Serviced. CLA’d
Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!
There are times when camera collecting is incredibly difficult. It comes as moments when you’re asked simple questions like “What’s the best camera…?” or “Which is the most significant camera ever?” The brain starts working, the heart beats nicely and the mouth moves but if an answer appears at all… it’s a long and complicated one, full of design details, historical moments and personal rationalizations.
Fortunately, answers come quicker when we are asked to feel more and think less…. Matters of the heart are easier to answer and to agree on. The eye and the heart have a directness and honesty that the brain lacks as it struggles to retain, comprehend and balance all the many details.
So here’s a simple question for the heart. What is the most enjoyable camera of the 20th century…? I don’t know about you, but I see the answer almost immediately. I can also feel it between my hands. And it’s a surprising answer because it runs counter to my technology-oriented brain. What I see is not the most expensive, the rarest or even the most sophisticated. That evidently doesn’t impress my heart… which is why the heart and the mind are such a good match. They need each other for balance. The brain tells us what we think we need and the heart tells us what we want.
The most enjoyable camera ever….? I thought it would be a Pentax Spotmatic but it’s not. The winner is a screw mount Leica. It’s honest, it’s significant and above all it’s great fun to be with. The Leica is like the perfect partner that some of us search our entire lives for. It has that unique mix of something for the heart, something for the eye and something for the head. It’s that perplexing mix that insures we never tire of being close. When you cradle it in your hands, you’re not simply picking up a camera… it’s more like being reunited with an old friend
This Leica started off life in 1950 and I’m sure it’s seen its fair share of adventures during the past 70 years. Despite all the years, everything works wonderfully and because of the careful care & attention it’s received from us, it’s possible that it’s good for another 70.
The shutter has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The shutter curtains are in excellent condition. They are supple, run smoothly and are completely light tight. (Many Leica IIIf’s suffer from deteriorated shutter curtains.) The vulcanite body covering is in outstanding condition. The coupled rangefinder image is easy to see and works smoothly & accurately. The viewfinder is clean and bright. The camera winds and fires smoothly and all shutter speeds are appropriate.
A Leitz film take up spool is included.
All in all, a great useable Leica. Just add your favorite lens and film and you’ll be good to go. It’s the perfect company on your own search for that perfect picture, that perfect moment, when you discover that perfection isn’t about being perfect… it’s about being comfortable about yourself, your choices and following your heart.
