rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks, Bob.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The photograph was taken with a Hasselblad 500C / 80mm Planar with a P20 back.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thank you very much, Bill. I'm working on another one using my 4x5.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks, Scott. That's one thing I'm good for, keeping my things in good shape. Though I have to admit this one was rebuilt / refurbed about 8 years ago.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks for the thumbs, Jim. They are appreciated.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks, Blair. I was fortunate in that I was anything but a destructive child. Secondly, I had parents that recognized that. I've had this camera since I was 5.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks, phlash. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thank you, jederick. I was very fortunate in having the family I did. Believe me. I wasn't spoiled or pampered. The things I have were earned in some way or other.
--Bob

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Love it.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I remember images I saw that someone else made with this camera in 1955. Compared to what we had at the time the superior optical quality of the Leica III f had no rival. The Leica cameras remain as an icon and are sought by collectors all over the world.
The company has had its highs and lows. I believe, not 100% sure, that the company has been sold in a couple of occasions due to serious financial problems. Bodies and lenses have been built in other countries over the years. Leica and Panasonic have a joint venture by which Panasonic manufactures Leica labeled lenses in Japan under Leica supervision.

Bob I know Leica has a a faithful group of followers, I know of its superior quality and craftsmanship. It is said its lenses have "the Leica look" and I have seen thousands of photographs made by those lenses but honestly, I do not know what is meant by the Leica look. Today the advances in optics have been made available to all manufacturers of lenses. I do not see the difference I saw in the 50's compared to other non Leica lenses of today. A case in point, I consider Zuiko lenses among the best optics I have ever used. Nikon and Canon are also excellent lens makers and Zeiss has always been my favorite. A Contax with Zeiss lenses as you most surely know was what Robert Capa used to document the Second World War. Many photographers preferred Contax to Leica.

Nobody will deny that Leica is among the most expensive gear we can buy. Any of their recent 50mm lenses are close to $4000 and for me that is very hard to justify because I am not rich. Before the pandemic I was in a cruise thorugh the Caribean islands and the ship had a camera store where small mirrorless Leicas were sold. I was told those expensive cameras were what European tourists were buying. The ship was making a little fortune selling Leica cameras.

Here in Miami, in Coral Gables to be exact, there is a store that sells only Leica gear. They have often exhibits and photographers that use Leica gear are invited for workshops. The place has been in business for several years and they appear to be doing well. It is not uncommon to go to that store and buy a camera and a couple of lenses and leave the store with $15,000 less in your bank. I perfectly understand the value of that merchandise that keeps its value and many times duplicates what the person paid for it a few years later. People indeed love those cameras and lenses and are willing to pay no matter what.

Do not flame me for it but I have never been a Leica fan and do not misunderstand me, I know perfectly well the quality built into Leica cameras and lenses. I have used Zeiss lenses and I have found them of excellent quality also and more reasonably priced. Contax cameras are no longer available and Zeiss now is an independent lens maker that offers lenses for other cameras. Sony did what Panasonic has done, a joint venture by which Zeiss lenses are made in Japan. I have not used Zeiss lenses made in Japan but those made in Germany are superb optics.
Their Tessar lens used in the Rolleiflex was a lens of a simple optical formula but its quality was superb. The same goes for Zeiss lenses used with the Hasselblad.

Obviously, a lens is as good as the operator. You have a beautiful camera and I am sure you enjoy not only keeping it as a present from your mother but also using it as a photographer.
Thank you for sharing the camera with us and I am looking forward to the images you will post for our enjoyment.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks for the thumbs, Mike. They are most appreciated.
--Bob

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

William, though my mom was instrumental in the purchase, as she worked in the Kodak store, both parents were involved equally in giving me this camera. Besides being my mom and dad, they were also my best friends. I tended to hang out with them more than anyone else due to the fun we'd have together.

To my knowledge, the Leitz family sold the company some years back. However, they were very very smart. They retained ownership of the Red Dot with the L trade mark. Without that Red Dot, Leicas would be just another camera. So, every time a Leica is sold, the descendants of Ernst hear the cash register go cha-ching. Very wise of them to say the least. I got that bit of information from a Leica rep who is an acquaintance of mine.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks, John. I appreciate you stopping by and giving me a thumb.
--Bob

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Who serviced it?