CAMERA COLLECTION

Leica IIIf RD ST (Red Dial Self Timer)
Rangefinder 35mm film

Copyright © 2004, 2007 William J. Gibson

Some observations - Sample photos at page bottom

Some consider this as possibly the most beautiful Leica camera: Stephen Gandy Discusses the IIIF

Leica is long renowned for quality of lenses and cameras, as well as other optical instruments. These cameras have been used by some of the world's greatest photographers to make photographs that are icons of the 20th century.

This camera, the IIIF, was the second last model in the first line of Leica cameras--the LTM or Leica Thread Mount line. LTM refers to the lens mounting design. LTM is sometimes referred to as "screwmount".

Lenses in LTM were made by other manufacturers and almost all can be mounted on Leica LTM bodies. The second and current line of Leica cameras uses the Leica M mount for lenses. The IIIf was produced in the early 1950s.

Cosina/Voigtlander has brought out a line of LTM lenses, LTM adapters for M mount cameras to mount LTM lenses, and M mount cameras and lenses.

Leica has also produced a line of 35mm SLR cameras and lenses. The company has produced digital cameras as well, and is currently developing a digital rangefinder camera body that will use Leica's outstanding M series lenses. Cosina/Epson have just this winter shown a digital RF camera that will use M mount lenses. So the legend and quality will continue to be used for photographic excellence.

Compact for use as as Travel Camera:
The collapsible lens makes this an incredibly compact 35mm rig. For travel, the current day Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R LTM rangefinder camera body with the CV 35mm Classic with hood is almost as compact.

Landscape Camera?
Perhaps not in the mainstream of Leica tradition to use this camera for landscapes, but it does work well in that genre in my opinon. For landscape use, and the character of the Elmar is quite different and pleasing to my eye, I often use a hyperfocal setting technique and an incident/spot meter. The meter is actually bigger than the IIIf collapsed. See the landscape photo at the bottom of this page.

One characteristic that is sharply different from SLR cameras is the rangefinder viewfinder design of this camera type.

Rangefinder/Viewfinder:
This camera has a rangefinder and beside it a viewfinder. To focus the lens, you look through the rangefinder which is coupled to the lens. In this small window you see a slightly magnified view and recognize focus by aligning the point of your subject in the central yellow patch of the rangefinder. When out of focus, you will see a double overlapping area of your subject in the patch. When in focus, you will see a single image. Having found focus, you move your eye to the right window, the viewfinder which shows the 50mm lens view. Although small, both finders if clean, offer good viewing. On the top plate of the camera under the rewind dial, there is a lever to adjust the diopter on the rangefinder window. This is very helpful and when adjusted properly gives a crisp image to focus.

Film Loading:
Ah, yes film loading. More difficult than with most other cameras. The body of this camera does not have a hinged back as so many cameras do. To load this camera you must remove the bottom plate. Take out the film take up spool. Take a roll of 35mm film and cut off a portion of the film leader (4 cm). Slide the start of the leader onto the take up spool and with the camera balanced precariously in your lap upside down, insert the take up spool and the film cassette into the camera. Those are the essential points. It is more difficult than other cameras to load. With practice, it is quite manageable.

Cautionary Note:
One cautionary tip I received about this camera is to be wary of leaving the camera in bright sun with the lens cap off. It is possible for the light to enter the lens and burn a hole in the cloth shutter curtain.

Aperture Ring:
The aperture is set using a ring at the front of the lens. This is best accomplished with a fingernail. Compactness does have its price. It is quite easy to set and change, but is a little slower than modern cameras.

The camera has two shutter speed dials. Fast speed dial on the top plate. Slow speed dial on the front of the camera.

Conclusion:
Using this camera makes me feel part of photographic history. It is, aside from film loading, easy to use. The Elmar lens has a pleasing quality. I do not use it routinely, probably due to the film loading hassle. Its quality workmanship cannot be questioned.

A footnote: I live nearby to Midland, Ontario, Canada, which was home to a Leica plant for a period of time, both cameras and lenses were made here.