Leica IIIg

1957

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

West Germany

Lens:

f2, 5 cm Summicron, iris diaphragm to f16. Depth-of-field scale. Screw mount. Serial no. 1091455 (1953).

Shutter:

Focal-plane, speeds 1 - 1/1000, B, T. (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000). Speeds are varied by delaying the second blind. Delayed action. Flash synchronisation.

Construction:

Vulcanite covered metal body.

Format:

36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film held in cassette.

Focusing:

Helical, scale to 3.5 feet.

Attributes:

Coupled rangefinder, swing prism type, double image. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder, frame outlines for 50 mm and 90 mm lenses. Parallax correction.
Auto-stop on film advance coupled to shutter. Film advance tensions shutter. Exposure counter.

Serial Number:

969676 .

With:

f3.5, 35 mm Summaron, iris diaphragm to f22. Focus to 3.5 feet. Depth-of-field scale. With lens cap and rear cap. Plastic case. Serial no. 883311 (1951).

f4, 9 cm Elmar, iris diaphragm to f32. Focus to 3.5 feet. Depth-of-field scale. Late version for E39 filters. Serial no. 1573620 (1958).

f4.5, 13.5 cm Hektor, iris diaphragm to f32. Focus to 5 feet. Depth-of-field scale. With lens cap and rear cap. Serial no. 1609867 (1958).
Lens cap for Summicron. Lens hood for 5 cm and 3.5 cm lenses.
Universal view-finder for 3.5, 5, 8.5, 9, 13.5 cm lenses. Serial no. 50255. In leather case.
Filters, E39 size: UV, in case. Yellow 1. Green GGR, in case. Light blue, unmarked mount. Dark blue, unmarked mount.
Adapter ring to use E39 filters on A36 lenses. Adapter ring to use Summitar filters on E39 lenses.
Two, late model 'N' film cassettes in black plastic containers.
Instruction book. Pamphlet on the IIIg.
"The Leica System at the Photo Fair, Olympia 1957" - pamphlet.
Eldia contact printer. Additional 24 x 18 mm mask. Instructions. Red box.

Ever-ready case. Omnica 100 outfit case. (Intro. c. 1959).
Visoflex
Visoflex I. 5x vertical finder. Version with shorter body, compact eye-piece optics and straight knurling. Serial no. 18313.
45 degree finder for reflex housing. In box.
90 degree, finder for reflex housing.
Cable connector, this links the shutter release on the camera and the Visoflex.

Short focusing mount to attach the 13.5 cm Hektor lens head to a Visoflex I. Focus to 5'.
Bellows I
Bellows I. Scaled for 12.5 cm and 13.5 cm lenses showing reproduction scale and exposure factor. Main bellows adapter ring. Bellows lens hood, 42 mm connection. Serial no. 15574.
Connector to fit 13.5 cm Hektor lens head to Bellows I.
"The Universal Focusing Bellows, Their Use and Scope" - Instructions 12-14 1956.

Focoslide
Focoslide. Late model for 51 mm "N" thread OOBAZ.
5x vertical magnifier for Focoslide, late type with crackle finish LVFOO.
"Focoslide for Leica" - Instructions 12-22 1958. The OOBAZ is shown.

The g series was the last of the screw-mount Leicas and was introduced after the M3 with bayonet mount. An improved view-finder with bright-line frames for 50 mm and 90 mm lenses was incorporated. Shutter speed calibrations were changed to be in geometric progression which made it easier to transfer meter readings. The height of the camera was increased slightly compared to the f series. The knurling on the film advance knob differs between early and later models.

This is a late model of the 13.5 Hektor with non-rotating focusing mount and E39 filter mount.

Visoflex I

This was introduced in 1951 and replaced the Mirror Reflex Housing PLOOT it was discontinued in 1962. Available in both screw and bayonet fittings.

Focoslide

This was a simple device providing a focusing screen which could quickly be replaced by the camera. Different accessories could be mounted on the front of the device such as bellows, extension tubes and focusing mounts. The common arrangement was to use extension tubes, a helical focusing mount for the lens and an aperture setting device to fit onto the front of the lens. Magnifiers could be attached to the focusing screen, these were the same as used on the rotating stage and Visoflex I.

The device was developed by Leitz New York. The first Wetzlar model (OOZAB) appeared in 1938 and was re-introduced following the war. The camera was clamped in position by a spring mounted bar, on early versions the bar had a single flat plate to rest against the camera later the familiar H shaped device was used. The standard Leica lens thread was used on the front of the device. This version could be used in conjunction with the Bellows I.

In 1957/58 a second version was introduced by Wetzlar this was of improved construction with rounded edges, the accessory thread was changed to 51 mm. The device was available for screw mount cameras (OOBAZ) and bayonet mount (OOTGU).

Code Names:

GOOMI - Camera. HEFAR - 13.5 Hektor. SOONC - 35 mm Summaron. VIHOO - Universal view-finder. HOOIV - UV filter. HOOBE - Yellow filter 1. HOOFG - Green filter. SOOGZ - E39 filters on A36 lenses. SOOQR - Summitar filters on E39 lenses. ITDOO - Lens hood. OZYXO - Visoflex I. LVFOO - 5x vertical finder. OZXVO - Cable connector. PEGOO - 45 degree finder. PAMOO - 90 degree finder. IXMOO - cassettes. ENOOR - ERC. ZOOAN - 13.5 cm short focusing mount. UXOOR - Bellows I. UOOYW - Main bellows adapter ring. UZEOO - Bellows lens hood. UOOVH - Connector to fit 13.5 cm lens head to Bellows I.

References & Notes:

Hasbroeck, Leica. BJA 1960, p. 263, Omnica 100.

Early Photography

Leica IIIg

1957

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

West Germany

Lens:

Shutter:

Construction:

Format:

Focusing:

Attributes:

Serial Number:

With:

Visoflex

Bellows I

Focoslide

Visoflex I

Focoslide

Code Names:

References & Notes: