Leica IIIg Rangefinder Camera

So you're thinking about an old Leica? Despite the freefall of prices in film cameras, Leica M bodies are holding their value phenomenally, and a screwmount Leica seems like a great way to get into the upper-crust of photography without spending huge dollars.

The IIIg is a fine body. It represented the culmination of Leica's screwmount experience, and a IIIg rig can serve as a wonderful daily shooter. That said, there's a few things you need to know about these cameras.

First off: cameras made 50 or 60 years ago are going to need some TLC. Unless you know that the camera you are buying has been recently serviced and inspected by a knowledgable Leica mechanic, you need to plan on spending some money to make sure your body is in good working order. Leica mechanics are like Mercedes Benz mechanics: they don't come cheap.

You also need to make sure that the shutter is in good condition. The old rubberized-cloth shutters in these cameras were easily damaged. They can be replaced (lowering the collectable value of the camera), but the job is not an easy one.

The other weak spot in these cameras is the split focus prism. When you look through the rangefinder, you should see two "split" images. As you bring the image into focus, the "split" images will merge together into one crisp image. As these cameras age, the "split" fades. Again, this is not a trivial (or cheap) repair, and is certainly not something you can attempt yourself.

That said, a well maintained IIIg is a joy to use. The mechanical action is as crisp and precise as you could ever hope for. The precision that these cameras are made with is exacting, and it's easy for an appreciative owner to lust after anything with the red Leica logo on it.

I used a IIIg as my daily shooter for a few years, and was never disappointed. It was a very easy camera to carry with me (because of its compact size), and it didn't make any loud noises that would cause it to stand out. Old screwmount Leicas don't attract nearly as much attention as the newer M bodies, and it's usually easier (and cheaper) to find lenses for them.

Buy with caution, but be prepared to fall in love if you get a good one. They are addictive little cameras, and will rarely disappoint.