Leica llf Red Dial

[Karl K]

I hesitate to use the description "mint" because it's so overused that most camera buyers, including me, are somewhat put off by its use.
Ok, let's say "excellent ++", which means almost no signs of use.
Everything works properly: rangefinder, shutter, film advance.
No dents. No dings. No missing vulcanite.
The take up spool is included.
It's ready to shoot or take its rightful place in a Leica collection.
Red Dial, Serial #611777, manufactured in 1952-1953.

$400 + $15 shipping

[Stephanie Brim]

Oh for the love of...

I hate the classified section right now. :P

[Karl K]

Stephanie, please....what did I do?

[MattKing]

Stephanie, please....what did I do?

I think you tempted her

[Stephanie Brim]

Things keep popping up that I want, or that I was looking at, or talking about, a few days ago. It's WEIRD. And tempting. Luckily I have no money for gear at the moment. Much easier not to be tempted in that situation. But, yeah, if I had $400 I'd buy this. I've always wanted one of these.

[rich815]

Oh for the love of...

I hate the classified section right now. :P

I hear ya'!

[Karl K]

I have a psychological problem with these really pristine cameras...I love them, but I can't bring myself to load them with film and go out on a shooting spree. I'm afraid to damage or mark them in any way. So they sit on a shelf. On the other hand, if I get a "user's" camera complete with battle scars, I fear no further evil can come.

Does this make any sense to anybody?
I think it goes back to my early childhood, having had poor toilet training.

[rich815]

I have a psychological problem with these really pristine cameras...I love them, but I can't bring myself to load them with film and go out on a shooting spree. I'm afraid to damage or mark them in any way. So they sit on a shelf. On the other hand, if I get a "user's" camera complete with battle scars, I fear no further evil can come.

Does this make any sense to anybody?
I think it goes back to my early childhood, having had poor toilet training.

Sure, makes perfect sense, but it comes down to which is valued more: future resale value or using the camera for its purpose. Of course a "user" grade camera should always work for the latter but sometimes pride and passion for a beautiful price of equipment and watching it gain its wear through the years (and knowing you put it there) has its joys (and encouragement) too. I bought my Leica MP used but in almost pristine condition. Just a small little scratch next to the flash shoe. That was about 5 years ago and at first I would barely bring myself to take it out and use it. Now the brassed edges and corners are starting to show through as is brassing on the film advance and rewind knob. It's wearing very nicely for me. :-)

I'd love to pick this beauty of yours up but have a nice user IIIA. It's shutter curtains seem to be dragging lately and I almost convinced myself this one would therefore be better! But then reminded myself that a simple CLA on the IIIA would be cheaper and get it working fine again. GAS averted, for now. Breath, breath deeply....

[summicron1]

I have a psychological problem with these really pristine cameras...I love them, but I can't bring myself to load them with film and go out on a shooting spree. I'm afraid to damage or mark them in any way. So they sit on a shelf. On the other hand, if I get a "user's" camera complete with battle scars, I fear no further evil can come.

Does this make any sense to anybody?
I think it goes back to my early childhood, having had poor toilet training.

I had this exact problem -- bought a mint IIIf RD, ST, and spent money to have it serviced, but never used it because it was, well, mint. After sitting for a long time it didn't work again, and then the service didn't quite do things right and so I let it sit and ended up having it serviced AGAIN, and realized that, well, shucks, I've spent as much as I could ever hope to get out of it on having it serviced and all it is is a paper weight.

So I slapped a lens and Abrahams rapidwinder on it and it's earning its keep. Great camera.

So, you have a tool, if you keep it mint, whatever you sell it for -- maybe $700? -- will be dwarfed by the joy you will get out of using it, and if you die without having used it then some relative you hate will get the money, or the camera, or some idiot at a yard sale will pay $10 for it.

So put film in it and use it as God and Oscar Barnack intended. One great shot of your children will pay for it in spades, and a brand new Leica, serviced and working as new, is a real joy to use.

[Stephanie Brim]

I have a psychological problem with these really pristine cameras...I love them, but I can't bring myself to load them with film and go out on a shooting spree. I'm afraid to damage or mark them in any way. So they sit on a shelf. On the other hand, if I get a "user's" camera complete with battle scars, I fear no further evil can come.

Does this make any sense to anybody?
I think it goes back to my early childhood, having had poor toilet training.

I am the woman with a Speed Graphic and a Burke & James that I have to tape lens boards onto because I haven't yet fixed/replaced the metal slides. So, yes, I understand this. I tend to buy beaters because I don't really give a crap as long as they work.