Howdy everybody, I was out and about today and picked up a Leica IIIb rangefinder in pretty good shape, all functions seem to work as they should and the shutter curtain looks very good, there is a spot of leather that has come off on the front as well as one of the body screws on the front is missing, the lens is a Jupiter 35mm f/2.8, the camera looks quite well for its age, the shutter sounds pretty darn on, however, when I removed the lens, I noticed two of the lens mount screws are missing, is there a place to purchase screws to fit this camera, also, does anyone make a leather kit to replace the damaged leather?

Another question, is there a good book that anyone can recommend that would explain the opperation of this camera, I have figured the shutter speeds out, but am confused about the dial on the front of the camera that has speed markings on it...any comments on the quality of the lens, I have heard various things about these lenses, but have never used one.

All in all a very nice vintage camera, that looks good and sounds good, it was one of those once in a lifetime finds, it was at a yard sale, and I talked the guy down to $50 bucks for it, I figured it would be a nice little pocket camera for street shooting and such..

Thanks for any comments or information you can provide.

R.

Camera Leather makes great replacement coverings....http://www.cameraleather.com/

"I have figured the shutter speeds out, but am confused about the dial on the front of the camera that has speed markings on it..."

$50 sounds very good for a IIIb - you did well. The shutter speed dial on the front is for speeds between 1/20 and 1 second. The dial on the top is set for '20-1' to use the speeds on the front dial.

Best,
Helen

Something else to remember about old Leicas as well as their Russian copies. DO NOT CHANGE THE FILM SPEED BEFORE ADVANCING THE FILM. You will damage the camera.

Just out of curiosity... are you sure it's a IIIb, and not an old FED retrofitted into a Leica-like style?

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/fakes/
http://www.cameraquest.com/fakerusk.htm
http://www.cameraquest.com/rusky2.htm

etc.

Just out of curiosity... are you sure it's a IIIb, and not an old FED retrofitted into a Leica-like style?

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/fakes/
http://www.cameraquest.com/fakerusk.htm
http://www.cameraquest.com/rusky2.htm

etc.

Hi mhv,

Yes, I am absolutely sure it is a real leica IIIb, when I worked in the camera store, I had enough of them in my hands as well as the russian fakes to know the difference in the feel of the cameras, I have liquidated a few estates with both in them, I just never owned one or played with one to much as I was only interested in selling them for the store I worked at.

R.

Hi mhv,

Yes, I am absolutely sure it is a real leica IIIb, when I worked in the camera store, I had enough of them in my hands as well as the russian fakes to know the difference in the feel of the cameras, I have liquidated a few estates with both in them, I just never owned one or played with one to much as I was only interested in selling them for the store I worked at.

R.


Oh, good for you! I was just afraid for a moment, because of the Jupiter lens. 50$ is quite a deal for a fine camera. I know I could be mistaken.

http://www.cameracenter.net/index.php?page=feature&id=4 It look like that?

http://www.cameracenter.net/index.php?page=feature&id=4 It look like that?

Hi Karl,

Simular, but not quite, the one that I have looks identical to this one...


http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/leica/sm/iiib.htm

Serial number on mine is 348841 and based on the information I dug up on production numbers and dates, this one was made in 1940

R.

Hi Karl,

Simular, but not quite, the one that I have looks identical to this one...


http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/leica/sm/iiib.htm

Serial number on mine is 348841 and based on the information I dug up on production numbers and dates, this one was made in 1940

R.

So one of the last ones before they started making the IIIc, I wrote that meuseam feature, and of the tons of old leicas we have in the store I dont think i've run into a IIIb, a, d, or f(?) , tho do have the IIIg and the newer ones.

Far as the original post goes, 50$ for a IIIb and lens.... hell even if you pay 100$ for a CLA on the camera, its still a damn good price.

Oh and yes, wind the shutter first before setting the shutter speed. That got me confused at first as well on the IIIg (similar operations), speaking of which when I get back to the store I need to finish that roll of Tmax 100 in the camera.

I presume if it's a 35mm Jupiter lens that it's a Jupiter-12.

I have no experience of that particular lens but the other Soviet lenses I have - a Jupiter-8 in Kiev/Contax mount, an Industar-61L/D and a Jupiter-9 (both in LSM) - are very good. Better than good, actually. Excellent.