My biggest surprise in film photography was falling in love with the Leica iiif. This camera has no built in meter, something I love in my film cameras. This camera is a pain to load film into as the leader must be recut. This camera has a very small viewfinder and requires you to focus through one viewfinder and then compose with another. It is a camera from a bygone era!
But this camera's blood is blue. This is not some knock off built on the wrong side of a curtain! This is not a camera built around a metering system that was advanced for its time. In fact, this camera is not built around technology at all....it is above that...somehow it represents the aristocracy of photography.
1. Introduction
The Leica III f, introduced in 1950, is a quintessential 35mm rangefinder camera that has captivated photographers for decades. Renowned for its precision engineering, compact size, and compatibility with a variety of lenses, the III f holds a special place in the hearts of both enthusiasts and professionals alike. This guide will explore its storied history, advancements, and the profound impact it has made on the world of photography.
2. History of the Leica III f
The Leica III f was developed by the German company Ernst Leitz GmbH, which began producing cameras in the early 20th century. The III f was part of the Leica III series, which gained popularity for its innovative design and exceptional image quality. The III f was the last in the Leica III line, featuring several enhancements that solidified its status as a remarkable tool for photographers.
But the history goes farther back to the father of Leica and of 35mm still photography. Oskar Barnack was a German engineer that designed a camera around the cinema film, called 35mm today. By taking this small format and building a camera around it he was able to make photography portable. In short, he created the tool that would be needed to shoot street photography, candid photography, sports photography and war photography. The smaller, lighter design made photography portable.
The Leica iiif was the last iteration of this type of camera (other great cameras followed to be sure).
3. Manufacturing Origins
The Leica III f was manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany, where the company was founded. This location became synonymous with high-quality optics and precision engineering. The craftsmanship that went into the III f reflects the meticulous attention to detail that Leica is known for, establishing the brand as a leader in the world of photography.
I was taught three important things growing up, the first was that Briggs & Stratton make a hell of a motor, second is that Solingen Steel is the best to make knives out of and finally that Germany has some of the best engineering to be found. While time has altered these things, quality going up around the world, I still like my knife made from Solingen, my motors from Briggs & Stratton and I still give German manufacturing the nod, even if Japanese and even Chinese have come a long way...
4. Advancements Over Previous Models
The Leica III f boasted several important advancements compared to its predecessors, including:
5. Significance in Photographic History
The Leica III f played a pivotal role in the evolution of photography. It was favored by photojournalists, artists, and hobbyists alike, thanks to its compact size and high-quality optics. The camera's portability allowed for candid street photography and documentary work, paving the way for the modern practices we see today.
Leica's influence extended beyond its cameras; it fostered a community of photographers who valued artistic expression and technical excellence. The III f’s contribution to the development of photojournalism, especially during critical historical events, cannot be overstated.
6. Notable Photographs Taken with the Leica IIIf1.
The Leica III f has been the instrument behind many iconic images. Here are three notable examples:
But this camera's blood is blue. This is not some knock off built on the wrong side of a curtain! This is not a camera built around a metering system that was advanced for its time. In fact, this camera is not built around technology at all....it is above that...somehow it represents the aristocracy of photography.
1. Introduction
The Leica III f, introduced in 1950, is a quintessential 35mm rangefinder camera that has captivated photographers for decades. Renowned for its precision engineering, compact size, and compatibility with a variety of lenses, the III f holds a special place in the hearts of both enthusiasts and professionals alike. This guide will explore its storied history, advancements, and the profound impact it has made on the world of photography.
2. History of the Leica III f
The Leica III f was developed by the German company Ernst Leitz GmbH, which began producing cameras in the early 20th century. The III f was part of the Leica III series, which gained popularity for its innovative design and exceptional image quality. The III f was the last in the Leica III line, featuring several enhancements that solidified its status as a remarkable tool for photographers.
But the history goes farther back to the father of Leica and of 35mm still photography. Oskar Barnack was a German engineer that designed a camera around the cinema film, called 35mm today. By taking this small format and building a camera around it he was able to make photography portable. In short, he created the tool that would be needed to shoot street photography, candid photography, sports photography and war photography. The smaller, lighter design made photography portable.
The Leica iiif was the last iteration of this type of camera (other great cameras followed to be sure).
3. Manufacturing Origins
The Leica III f was manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany, where the company was founded. This location became synonymous with high-quality optics and precision engineering. The craftsmanship that went into the III f reflects the meticulous attention to detail that Leica is known for, establishing the brand as a leader in the world of photography.
I was taught three important things growing up, the first was that Briggs & Stratton make a hell of a motor, second is that Solingen Steel is the best to make knives out of and finally that Germany has some of the best engineering to be found. While time has altered these things, quality going up around the world, I still like my knife made from Solingen, my motors from Briggs & Stratton and I still give German manufacturing the nod, even if Japanese and even Chinese have come a long way...
4. Advancements Over Previous Models
The Leica III f boasted several important advancements compared to its predecessors, including:
- Improved Shutter Mechanism: The III f featured a more reliable focal-plane shutter that allowed for faster shutter speeds (up to 1/1000 of a second), making it easier to capture fast-moving subjects.
- Interchangeable Lenses: With the M39 screw mount, the III f allowed users to experiment with a wide range of lenses, providing flexibility and creative freedom.
- Increased Durability: Built with robust materials, the III f was designed to withstand the rigors of professional use, making it a reliable companion for photographers on the go.
5. Significance in Photographic History
The Leica III f played a pivotal role in the evolution of photography. It was favored by photojournalists, artists, and hobbyists alike, thanks to its compact size and high-quality optics. The camera's portability allowed for candid street photography and documentary work, paving the way for the modern practices we see today.
Leica's influence extended beyond its cameras; it fostered a community of photographers who valued artistic expression and technical excellence. The III f’s contribution to the development of photojournalism, especially during critical historical events, cannot be overstated.
6. Notable Photographs Taken with the Leica IIIf1.
The Leica III f has been the instrument behind many iconic images. Here are three notable examples:
- "The Kiss" by Alfred Eisenstaedt (1950):
- This iconic photograph captures a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square on V-J Day, celebrating the end of World War II. While Eisenstaedt is most commonly associated with his later work with the Leica M series, he often used the IIIf during his earlier career, capturing candid moments with remarkable clarity and emotion.
7. Why does it continue to be relevant:
With the newest cameras from Sony, Nikon and Cannon, with the re-release of the Leica M6 and the amazing quality of my Cell Phone camera, why is the Leica iiif still relevant? This is a question I spent some time to answer and this is what I have come up with. The camera is well built and built in large quantities. It was also expensive. So people took good care of them and did not throw them away. So decades after they should have been dead, these cameras are still able to shoot a picture. Yes, they can use a CLA, but in the hands of a good technician, they breath new life into it and have it working for another couple of dozen years. Today, the camera is affordable. I bought mine for under USD400 after it was CLA. The camera looks brand new and with new shutter curtains and a calibrated shutter speeds, it is a joy to shoot with. This is not a camera a novice should pick up. This is a camera that must be picked up by a film shooter who has gotten comfortable around film. This is a camera for someone who is willing to go out and give the sunny 16 rule a chance. Someone who understands there will be a learning curve and is able to look beyond the initial glitches. |
This camera forces you to slow down, at the beginning. Once you get the hang of it, you can fire off shots quickly and accurately. But this is a camera that will not have you looking lovingly through the viewfinder, at a wonderful LED light meter. This is a camera that is about one thing, and that thing is photography.
You might like it or hate it but that camera is nothing more that the bare necessities you need to shoot a roll of film. It has no gimmick, it has nothing to make your life easier. If you want to capture an image, this camera is the tool to get you there. You will shoot less, you will think more and you may walk away with a new found respect for what the blue blood of photography gave us.
7. Sample Photos
Let me clearly state that when I test a camera the photographs have no value beyond testing a specific function. In this case I wanted to test the different shutter speeds as well as the film advance and rewind. I wanted to see if the focus was on and if the rangefinder was calibrated. So do not pay any mind to the content of the images but only the physical attributes of the camera's overall function.
I have removed the images that were blurry due to human error, I was still learning how to shoot this camera after all. Here you have some images shot at 1/200 sec, several at 1/50 sec and a few at 1sec. The idea is to see how they perform and they all worked very well. This is not a series of shots to show how well the Leica iiif can shoot, as I believe "The Kiss" shows us that. I was just testing the camera function.
You might like it or hate it but that camera is nothing more that the bare necessities you need to shoot a roll of film. It has no gimmick, it has nothing to make your life easier. If you want to capture an image, this camera is the tool to get you there. You will shoot less, you will think more and you may walk away with a new found respect for what the blue blood of photography gave us.
7. Sample Photos
Let me clearly state that when I test a camera the photographs have no value beyond testing a specific function. In this case I wanted to test the different shutter speeds as well as the film advance and rewind. I wanted to see if the focus was on and if the rangefinder was calibrated. So do not pay any mind to the content of the images but only the physical attributes of the camera's overall function.
I have removed the images that were blurry due to human error, I was still learning how to shoot this camera after all. Here you have some images shot at 1/200 sec, several at 1/50 sec and a few at 1sec. The idea is to see how they perform and they all worked very well. This is not a series of shots to show how well the Leica iiif can shoot, as I believe "The Kiss" shows us that. I was just testing the camera function.