Leica IIIc (1946)

Leica IIIc / 1946

My first Leica. I purchased this classic Leica IIIc rangefinder camera on ebay for a very good price. It appears in full working order and I am looking forward to trying it. From the serial number (and the comment below) I understand this was made in about 1946. I beleive this was the same camera that the great Henri Cartier Bresson used for many of his photos. The camera came with screw on Leitz Summar 50mm f2 lens and the original leather case.

I put a film through this camera in February 2007. I was delighted just that it worked. The pictures lack sharpness and on some the exposures are incorrect (although I used a good quality modern seperate light meter). I compared these photos with those taken on my Zorki 1c around the same time, and the photos from the Zorki are of a much better quality and certainly sharper. As the Zorki, with Industar lens, is clearly inferior to the Leica it is a copy of, I can only assume this Leica and/or the lens must have seen better days. I am not sure if the problem is fungus on the lens, just a dirty lens, light leaking in, a rangefinder that is out or shutter sppeds etc which are out. Despite all of this I actally appreciate the results. The slightly washed out blurriness of some of the pics lend them a historical, almost artistic quality in my opinion.

　

The Leica IIIc Rangefinder

　

　

　

In Original Leather Case

　

　

　

With Lens Cap

　　

　

　

Leica Name And Serial Number

　

　

　

Screw On Lens From Above

　

　

　

Body Shot, B&W

　

　

　

Summar 50mm f2 Screw On Lens

　

　

　

Zorki And Leica B&W

　

　

　

Leica IIIc From Above

　

　

　

Narrow Depth Of Field Side Shot

　

　

　

Unique And Copy

　　

　　

　

Covent Garden OnA Leica

　

　

　

Camera City

　

　

　

Cally Road

　　

　

　

Ripon close up

　

　

　

Covent Garden 2

　

　

Cast iron shop

　

　

　

A colleague

　

　

　

Pancake cafe

　

　

　

Sushi Bar

　

　

　

Ripon by Leica IIIc