Leica IIIB

Designed by Oskar Barnack, the Leica rangefinder camera was introduced in 1932. This was the first ever 35mm system camera with a range of screw mount interchangeable lenses.  The screw mount series of cameras continued in production until 1960 when the M series was introduced. During this time the range continued to evolve with two basic models (II & III) and several variants (A,B,C,F,G) being produced.

These cameras have a jewel like precision quality that no other camera has ever had - even the Leica M series.  Using one of these cameras takes you back to the basics of photography.  In a few minutes it is possible to work out how to use it – even without the aid of an instruction manual (compare that to a modern digital SLR with its 250+ page instruction manual).

This particular Leica IIIB was made between 1938 and 1939 in a batch of 220. Being the III model it has the slower range of shutter speeds (1s to 1/10s) that the II does not have and, compared to the previous A model, it has the rangefinder and viewfinder placed closer together. Even after 70 years the controls and shutter have not lost their precision quality which makes this camera a joy to use.

 

With this camera I use a 1937 5cm F3.5 Leitz Elmar Black Scale (uncoated) lens.

 

5cm F3.5 Leitz Elmar 1931-1959

This is the lens that earned Leica’s reputation. All are collapsible which means they collapse into the camera body when not in use which makes the camera and lens combination very compact - a favourite with the 1930s French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson.  Prewar versions are uncoated with postwar versions being coated.  Early versions are Nickel with later ones being chrome.  The Black Scale version stops down to F18 while the later Red Scale version stops down further to F22.  All versions can suffer from fogging and cleaning scratches although a few light scratches should not reduce the performance.

 

Oskar Barnack - the inventor of Leica Cameras More

 

Although the lens is over 70 years old, it still produces sharp images with a pleasing softness to them.  Being uncoated the negatives (Ilford XP2) lack contrast, but this can be advantageous because it means they retain the shadow and highlight detail, and once scanned, the file can be processed in Photoshop to show a full range of tones.

 

 

Because this camera does not have a built in exposure meter, I work out the exposure using the Sunny 16 Rule - see my June 2009 Monthly Photo Tip.

 

 

Leica "Barnack" Screw Mount Camera Film Loading Guide

Leica “Barnack” Screw Mount Cameras have a reputation for being difficult to load. But, by following the worksheet below, it should be a lot easier.  Remember that Robert Capa, the famous war photographer, had to do this while crouching in a trench trying to avoid enemy fire!

  Leica "Barnack" Screw Mount Camera Film Loading (136kb)          Download

 

 

 

Leica IIIB Gallery

 

 

 

Bucker Jungmann

 

 

 

Beech Bonanza

 

 

 

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