Old Leica
May 5, 2013 10:56:49 #
Years ago my father stored some things in my attic because he was living in his RV and did not have room to store things. The other day I was up in the attic and came across an old friend. This is my father's leica (I think from the 50's) I have no idea what model it is. It was the camera I learned how to shoot with when I was in junior high and high school. The lens is an f/2.0 mm. I was wondering if any of you know anything about these cameras. The lens slides in and out to make it compact. I think I'll put a roll of film in it this week and see if it still works. It's German, what am I talking about...of course it still works.
May 5, 2013 11:13:36 #
There was a fascinating post (maybe yesterday) about Ernst Leitz, who apparently was a bit like Schindler in the way he helped jewish folk during the second war. I believe they were favoured by journos because of their silent operation.
May 5, 2013 11:17:28 #
May 5, 2013 11:18:48 #
ebrunner wrote:
Years ago my father stored some things in my attic... (show quote)
What a find!! I'll bet an email to Leica would get you just about anything you needed to document your treasure, as well as an instruction manual. hEy could probably perform service as well. Congratulations.
The only Leica product that I own is a pair of binoculars that I wouldn't trade for anything. I envy you.
May 5, 2013 11:54:00 #
May 5, 2013 13:35:25 #
steve L wrote:
Perhaps this ??
http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00U7Cp
http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00U7Cp
Thank you for that link. The camera pictured in the link and the lens attached look exactly like the one I have. I looked up the serial numbers on line and it seems to indicate that the camera that I have is from 1943. Amazing. I'm wondering, though, that they would have been producing cameras in Germany in 1943. Wetzlar is the town where the factory was. (I believe). This is a rather small town and might have been spared from bombing raids. Guess I'll have to do some more research.
May 5, 2013 14:16:03 #
ebrunner wrote:
Years ago my father stored some things in my attic... (show quote)
It's definitely a Leica IIIf. The serial number (594378) places its production in 1951/52. A very nice camera! Many camera collectors would love to have it.
May 5, 2013 14:33:48 #
DavidT wrote:
It's definitely a Leica IIIf. The serial number (594378) places its production in 1951/52. A very nice camera! Many camera collectors would love to have it.
You are absolutely right. I just got off the phone with my father and he confirmed that it was bought by his father (my grandfather) new in Germany in the "very early fifties". He also remembered that it was a IIIf. Thank you for your time. It is nice to know what the camera is and when it was made. I'll be shooting a roll of film this week. When I get the pictures back, I'll be sure to post them to see what they look like. Thanks.
May 6, 2013 05:53:32 #
May 6, 2013 06:24:28 #
Pablo8
Loc: Nottingham UK.
Younger than my 111c, as the extra set of numbers below/around the shutter speed ring shows. No logical reason why it should not work though. Have fun with it. Looks as though the lens is f/2. Summitar, or the softer f/2 Summar.
May 6, 2013 08:15:59 #
I bought a IIIc from another member here on the Hog...Made in 1950...Bought a new lens cap for it on eBay....Have to get it CLA's though. Faster shutter speeds seem fine, but slower ones were way off....Needs a new beamsplitter as well (that's the little mirror in the viewfinder that helps align the images)...Lot of other manufactures copied the design over the years...Mime has the 5cm F3.5 Elmar lens
May 6, 2013 08:48:22 #
From the serial number and appearance it looks like a 1951-52 vintage IIIf.
May 6, 2013 10:18:02 #
I am a very familiar with Leicas. You have a Leica IIIf and by the looks of the numbers around the speed dial it's a red dial( Are they red?) if so it is a IIIf red dial, worth more than the black dial. Now, you don't show the f 2 lens, is it a Summitar or a Summicron? If it is a Summicron the lens is worth more as the cameras body, in case you sell it never sell it as a unit, sell separate. I don't know of the condition but a nice body should bring around $350. Summicron lens 500-600, Summitar 250.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
May 6, 2013 10:25:11 #
Doesn't look like a "red dial" to me...KR has an image of the red dial top plate & it doesn't look look that one...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/screw-mount/iiif.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/screw-mount/iiif.htm
blacks2 wrote:
I am a very familiar with Leicas. You have a Leica... (show quote)
May 6, 2013 10:39:13 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
Doesn't look like a "red dial" to me...KR has an image of the red dial top plate & it doesn't look look that one...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/screw-mount/iiif.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/screw-mount/iiif.htm
It is hard to see on the image, that's why I asked if it is red, otherwise black and red dials are exactly the same.
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