leica IIIf flash settings

<p>Hi<br>

I have a leica IIIf black dial (actually, two - the second is having its curtains changed following an earlier post about light leakage). I use them for b&w. Last week I tried flash (electronic) on two pictures. Both were only about 3/4 exposed for flash, the balance for ambient light. The settings were 1/20 (with the speed dial set to the slower speeds, and the slow speed dial set to 1/20). I noted in earlier posts that the flash settings around the speed dial have to be set appropriately, but could not discover what that setting was for electronic flash (I had it set on 0). Some seem to suggest that 0 is the appropriate setting, others 2, and others 20. The manual I looked at for the red dial indicated 20 for delayed and 0 for undelayed (I may have that back the front). What's the difference between delayed and undelayed?? And what should I have it set to? Any advice greatly appreciated.<br>

<br />Regards, Arthur (Apiarist1)</p>

<p>Not so easy to find, but:<br>

http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/leic3f_e.htm<br>

You can forget about delayed or undelayed - when the IIIF was made, flashbulbs were in widespread use and of various types, such as F (fast), M (medium) and FP ("focal plane" or long-burn) . Any flashbulbs you encounter today will be M class, which take about 1/50 sec. (20 msec.) to reach peak brilliance after being triggered (electronic flash is virtually instant, hence the recommended setting of 2 [ms] for the black dial IIIf). </p>

<p>David is right. I'm lucky to have the orginal chart for Elektronenblitz, which also specifies the setting of 2. The IIIf (black dial) is one of my favorite cameras to use with interior flash. I use a Vivitar 383 on a rack, bounced with a diffuser fitted. The 1/30 shutter speed captures ambient light nicely and I find the light balance on color negatives pleasing. Another nice feature is the magnifier on the rangefinder, easy to focus in dim light. A great camera.</p>

<p>Thanks for that.<br>

Regards, Arthur</p>

<p>Sometimes due to wear of internal parts or misplacement during servicing, these settings can vary somewhat or may be completely off. You can do a no-film test to make sure: with no film in the camera, slide in a piece of white paper from the bottom where the film would be so that it is in the place of the exposure area. With the lens removed, point the flash at the shutter, then fire it. You'll see either white paper, or black shutter curtain or a partial combination of both. Then adjust the synch setting and/or shutter speed until you see all white paper, all the time in the exposure area.</p>

 

 

<p>Hi ,i have a problem with my iiif, you know that asa/din dial over the winding knob,i thought it was just dirty glass and i tried to rub it a little with a cleaning wipe but it turns out that is is a very old plastic sheet that broke instantly... Is there any way to replace it or am i screwed.</p>

 

 

 

 

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Thank you Allan for the tip on the iiif flash. Using your paper test, my camera seems to get a full frame set around 10 at 1/50. I've been getting 60% flash coverage by using the settings shown in the manual/book, When I set it at zero or 20, I was getting partial coverage regardless of the shutter speed.

Very helpful post and responses. I have a black dial IIIf and have also wondered about the proper electronic flash setting. The white paper test was good at 10 for my IIIf

I remember knowing that the values on the dial are variable, each camera being different, from years ago.

(My father bought a Canon SLR in 1968, so it would have been about that long ago.)

 

The two cameras I knew my father had, from as long ago as I know, are a Canon VI and Leica If.

I now have them, though the Leica needs a CLA. The Canon still works just fine.