Fotofix - Vintage Cameras

1950 - 1952

The Leica IIIf (BD) was Leitz's first 35mm camera body for screw mount lenses (M39) with built-in flash synchronization. Introduced in 1950, it succeeded the Leica IIId, which was a rare variant of the Leica IIIc. Unlike its predecessors, the IIIf didn't need an optional modification (factory or third party) for flash photography. Built-in flash synchronization was an advancement introduced to make flash photography practical.

It has shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/1000th second including Time and "bulb". You get a built-in viewfinder for the 50mm lenses and a coupled rangefinder which magnifies 1.5X for extreme accuracy of focus.

Black synchronizing dial without self-timer, available from 1950: as model III c, but with built-in full flash synchronization and film indicator built into film winding knob.