🔴 Leica iii Camera Review + Leica M3 Review (Why buy vintage Leica camera, iiia or Leica iiif)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

✅ Check Prices on eBay: (US) ebay.to/2GnMVQm (UK) ebay.to/3ipQAtL ▶️ Watch Next: Leica M3 vs Leica M2 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYTVkK2Jr56BesU ⭐️ Patreon: Join us today for more videos - from £1+VAT! - www.patreon.com/mrleicacom

[@erichstocker8358]

I have long owned and used extensively my Leica M4-P. This camera is widely undervalued. It was the one that saved Leica as a camera company and is basically a M6 without the meter (which is fine with me). Just recently after watching your and another video I decided that I would get a M type 240 digital. I love that camera with all of its restrictions (or maybe because of its restrictions). I yearn for a Leica IIIg but unfortunately they want too much for a copy. I should have bought one when the world thought film was forever dead and the prices of film cameras tanked (Leica not as much as others but still). Oh well! Anyway I always appreciate your reviews and examples of use. Thanks!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Erich! Yes I like the M4-P too. I mentioned the iiig in last nights video.

[@andyvan5692]

Yes Matt, also these were provided with a cutting guide and an exacto blade to cut the film to this dimention, also didn't the III's also have a different spool, aka the tang of the film was in a cluched grabber a one-way fit, the M's have a spring flap, so the film leader can be removed without cutting it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Andy, hmm I load them on autopilot I think.. I've not noticed. I think Leica iii are like the M2/M3 spools but I might be wrong (not identical but jam the film leader in the slot design).

[@leslumieres1237]

Very good comparison. I have a Leica lllA and U had a Leica M6, but I sold it; battery life was like that of a may fly and putting in the film like the transportation were a crime. In short, I like my lllA much better than the M6.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Lea, I’m glad it’s not just me! :) I think the iif is my favorite (see my other vids)

[@Otokichi786]

My first serious 35mm camera was the family's Leica IIIa that had a 50mm f/1.5-9 Taylor-Hobson Xenon. That 1930's "speed lens" was uncoated, and produced soft, fuzzy images with the "sun over my shoulder." Shooting into the sun was a disaster, since pre-World War II "lens flare" was total; "milky mush" sums up that paper weight. Eventually, I bought a 1957 50mm f/3.5 collapsible Elmar, which yielded sparkling Kodachrome slides and black-and-white negatives. Back then (the late 1960's) Leica IIIa bodies were as common as dirt and worth about as much. So I had an independent camera repairman install flash contacts and a PC socket at the top of the camera viewfinder housing. It works just fine, even if "image ghosts" are guaranteed with the 1/20 sec. X Synch shutter speed. As for "needing modern lenses" on a Leica IIIa, I've found that Canon and Nikon screw mount lenses were modern enough, especially the 50mm f/1.8 or 28mm f/2.8 Canons.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks you for commenting. A great insight! Yes I heard the same about the old Leica lenses. I use these Canon lenses on these cameras (see Canon LTM video). Excellent glass. I use use Nikkor LTM (see LTM lens video for 50/2). Also excellent. I'm currently also shooting with similar aged Contax RF mount cameras and lenses - Nikon S2 etc with old Sonnar design lenses. All that to come.

[@jonlouis2582]

That was a useful comparison. I just bought a iiia myself. Looking forward to putting some film though it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Congrats Jon, I love these Leica iii cameras! :)

[@jacovanlith5082]

In the Sixties most Leica M photographers had grey BRAUN F 65 speed lights. The flash head in the cold shoe and the generator over the shoulder. Very stylish?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks

[@bluesuedestrap]

apologies if you have covered this already, as I can’t seem to find any mention of it - but I wonder have you used modern LTM lenses on the iii cameras? For example, the Voigtlander Nokton or Color Skopar 50mm LTM? I would love to try my iiif with a modern lens, but have read conflicting info re whether these newer lenses will focus without issues…

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I have that lens. No issues. Great lens on Leica iii

[@markdoyle9642]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks for pointing out these lenses!

[@MB-or8js]

Great video - as I mentioned in a comment to one of your earlier videos, I am also using the M3 and IIIc in parallel. The IIIc is my favorite film camera for travel. Not using any of them for flash or studio photography (yet). The IIIc is my favorite camera for street photography with zone focusing. I am using two 50 mm lenses with the IIIc and the M3 with adapter - the collapsible 50/2 Summitar and the 50/1.5 Summarit. Leica 35 mm lenses in LTM mount are surprisingly expensive and overpriced (collector items!), but the one I find suitable regarding price/quality ratio is the Canon Serenar 35/2.8 LTM lens. For wider focal length, I like the small CV 25/4 Snapshot-Skopar LTM lens. I advise to be cautious looking for a Canon 50/1.2 LTM lens which you mentioned - nearly all of them have some haze/dust/scratch/mechanical issues. For only a bit more in price you get the Leica 50/1.4 Summarit. The Leica is better in built and image quality (I tested both).

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Martin's Analog Photo Channel thanks Martin and sorry for slow reply. Ah yes good to hear that you use the M3 and iiic. My Summarit is an M mount but I think for portraits I will often favour an Elmar for added sharpness to the eyes. For other images the softer summitar will be nice. Interesting you say about wides, I got the 25/4 Snapshot as I like the 21/4 version I use in M mount. I got the 35/2.5 Skopar LTM as my M version is good and I like the size, weight, cost, performance of this Voigtlanders. I will share what I use once I have more sample images. Thanks about the 50/1.2. I’m not tempted at all to use fast glass on the iii cameras. I will keep that for the M cameras and keep these as compact setups. Thanks for watching and have a great Christmas!

[@MB-or8js]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Merry Christmas to you, too! Thanks for your reply. I had a full CLA done on my IIIc, and since then I can even well focus with f/1.5 using the rangefinder. I should maybe mention that from the LTM lenses I mentioned above, most also work with adapter on digital Sony MLCs but the CV 25/4 LTM. I remember to have read somewhere that the Snapshot-Skopar LTM lens also gives trouble on digital Leica cameras. It leads to severe color cast in the corners of the frame on my A7R and exhibits focus shift. On my IIIc and my film Leica Ms it is perfect though!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Martin's Analog Photo Channel Thanks Martin, I will look out for issues with the Snapshot Skopar but the CL is crop sensor anyway so should be on and I normally shoot B&W. Good to hear about sharp with 1.5 lens.. my Summarit is sharp wide open on digital but as low contrast it always looks softer. From using all the lenses on digital I think my Elmar are particularly sharp vs the Summitar but it’s good to have a lens to give that vintage look so I will keep it to use to it’s strengths. More soon, thanks!

[@CrusaderRabbit59]

thank you for a most excellent video. ended up just now choosing and purchasing the m3 along with a 39mm ltm to m adapter since i have a few industar/jupiter lenses and no m lenses. unfortunately at/on the online store i was purchasing from they also had a iiif black dial that they listed as fully functional except had a dim rangefinder and since i do alot of zone focusing and it was only $200 USD i ended up pulling the trigger on that too. lol. i have always shy’ed away from leica because of having to trim the leader and not knowing if i would enjoy that experience. guess i will find out. thanks again and good hunting! rabbit. =:3

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Congrats!! Both great cameras. If you seen any of my more recent videos I’m normally carrying at least 1 Leica iii camera for travel (and M3 for portraits).

[@CrusaderRabbit59]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thank-you very much for taking the time to reply and for the enthusiastic encouragement! rabbit. =:3

[@guskokalis]

How do you put a 135mm lens on kiev

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

External mount rather than internal such as the 50mm

[@dariabirk]

can’t you get diopters for the m series to make the viewfinder work better with your glasses?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Daron Birkholz thanks Daron. I use the 1.4x magnifier on my M cameras (M4P,M6,M8,M240) it gives a view more similar to that through the Leica M3. I guess it’s different in that it just magnifies the view rather than correcting vision. It still works fine but the diopter is a much smarter design. (I shoot without glasses)

[@dariabirk]

MrLeicaCom very interesting, I never quite knew the difference

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Daron Birkholz yes the 1.4x just brings the image closer, the diopter is like putting glasses on. (Great to have!) :)

[@martinpettinger413]

Hi Matt. I notice the viewfinder on your IIIa is different to mine. Looking more closely at my IIIa I am starting to wonder if mine is an earlier Leica such as a Leica I which was upgraded to a Leica III. I commented before saying my Industar 22 would not fit on my Leica IIIa but having received a Leica IIIf yesterday I note this does fit on the Leica IIIf so the slow speed dial is in a slightly different position giving that little bit more clearance for the focusing tab to clear the dial. Also the Leica IIIf has nice clicks for the film counter whereas on the Leica IIIa this spins freely. When I ran a test film through the Leica IIIa last week I noticed a few times I bumped the film counter losing track of how many exposures I had taken. Can you check if your film counter has clicks or spins freely on your IIIa. Cheers, Martin

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Martin Pettinger Hi Martin, I guess you can see my iiia in the videos (this video and vs the iiig video). I checked. The frame counter spins freely if there is no film loaded but it looks like if film in it would be pretty tight.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Martin Pettinger ..no clicks though I think. There were gradual improvements with each new model so I would expect the f version to be ‘better’.

[@tcc300892]

Funnily enough I've heard alot of people mention that they cycle with these. I usually go out with my Pentax MX but it's not the most comfortable thing to cycle with. Tempting... Anyway, cheers for the vid!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Tove thanks yes the size is great. If you want the ultimate cycling / running camera Check out my Voigtlander Bessa L vid or another good option is the 35mm Leica CL. Again see video if interested. 👍🏻

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Tove thanks yes the size is great. If you want the ultimate cycling / running camera Check out my Voigtlander Bessa L vid or another good option is the 35mm Leica CL. Again see video if interested. 👍🏻

[@googleminus3230]

I wish you would get a good mic to record these. The volume is always off :(

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for mentioning. I'm using a video mic pro on a boom pole. When you say off what needs improving? Thanks!

[@mvonwalter6927]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaComNo matter how good the mic, the closer the better. Less room sound, more your voice. If you are just using in-camera audio (as opposed to a recorder that you sync later) just find yourself a simple LAV clip-on mic with a nice 2 meter cord and the 3.5mm jack you can just pop into your camera's mic-in.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

M von Walter many thanks. Hopefully my new vids are much better, I use mic on boom pole close to my head. This was one of my first videos.

[@mvonwalter6927]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I really appreciate the videos as someone returning to BW photography with a Leica!

[@gordyscamerastraps]

Nice strap on the IIIa. I have one on my IIIa.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Gordon! Yes great little straps :)

[@jonlouis2582]

Nice to see a little comic relief in with the reviews!

[@lukasrowe2959]

Can I put iso 400 film in my iiif even the dial in the knob only goes to 100?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Lukas Rowe yes of course. The dial is not linked to a lightmeter so it matters even less. It’s only a reminder for you as to what film you loaded.

[@lukasrowe2959]

Matt Osborne ok awesome! Sorry if that question was kind of dumb. I’m new to Leicas. Well just film photography in general. I just got my iiif so I just wanted make sure before I went out and shot with it. Thanks for the response

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@lukasrowe2959 No problem, it's only easy if you know the answer ;) I'm 100% self taught so I was in the same position once. Great work getting the iiif. I just got a iif recently (very similar). If you want to fast track your learning and are in a position to do so you can join me on Patreon (Link under some of my recent videos).

[@lukasrowe2959]

Matt Osborne one more question.. do you know if the canon Serenar 50m f1.9 will fit on the iii series Leica? I’ve heard that the thread count is different or something like that and that when it collapses, it hits the shutter curtain. I just want to make sure before purchasing one or the other

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Lukas Rowe hi, the thread is the same on all LTM lenses as Canon copied the Leica Mount. I don’t have that lens but normally they all collapse on film cameras but not all on digital. Ie. I can collapse on my M240 similar lenses but not on the Leica CL. So I think you are ok (99%) but I dont own that exact ok lens*

[@GBCR]

Would it be possible to add English subtitles?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Uncle Joe hi, I may be wrong but I think the viewer can select in the menu to have sub titles. The video is setup in English so should work hopefully. If not let me know

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Uncle Joe hello again, yes I tried it when viewing this video via the link on Facebook and I clicked the keyboard icon bottom right and it gives subtitles option. The translation may not be 100% accurate all the time as I don’t speak clearly but it should be better than nothing. I hope you get it to work for you.

[@GBCR]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom OMG - British peepoohs really don't have a sense of humor. But thanks for your efforts! ;-)

[@neilpiper9889]

I wouldn't buy either, I would get the single stroke M2

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Neil, see the M2 vs M3 vid for the M2 :)

[@lattesweden]

Thanks for another interesting video! If you want a really small bicycling 24x36 mm film camera, you should check out the German Minox 35 GT or Balda CE 35, both constructed by the same man: Max Baldeweg and both using a built in foldable 35 mm f2.8 lens. The whole camera is as big as a standard cigarette package.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks I just Googled it to check! :) I do have other small fixed lens cameras but they are not built like a Leica iii. My Leica Minolta CL is nice and light and works well if a use a 3 M lens setup - you see it with the lenses in the Small Lenses video.. near the end. Thanks for sharing!

[@henricvs]

I've done the same thing with my III, sickening feeling for sure. Also, I found this template that can be printed on 3D printer for cutting your film leader. I use mine just to be safe as I have torn my film before. Here is the link: www.thingiverse.com/thing:1951048

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Henry, i'm not sure how I misseed this so thanks