Help with old Leica outfit

[pgk]

A retired friend dropped an old Leica outfit off with me today. It belonged to his father andhas not been used for years and he wondered if it was worth selling as it is unlikely that it will ever be used again. I said that I would try to find out what it is and whether it still has any value!

The camera appears to be original and has marks but no dents or anything more severe than rubs and lost chrome on the front shutter dial. Ther is no flash sync socket. Serial number is 288533 and everything appears to be fully functional including slow shutter sppeds.

Lenses are a 5cm f/2 Summar s/n 443440, a 9cm f/4 Elmar s/n 453702 and a 13.5 cm f/4.5 Hektor s/n 558129. All show signs of substantial use and the optics are marked and the Hektor is slightly cloudy. There are no caps but the camera appears to have its original leather case which is still in pretty good shape.

Any comments on the model (IIIa?) and dates (just pre-WWII?) as well as any suggested realistic value that it might be able to achieve as a private sale would be most appreciated. I'd guess that this was a pretty top notch camera outfit when it was new!

[luigi bertolotti]

It ought to be a IIIb aged 1938, the Summar and the Elmar are of the same year, a little younger the Hektor (1940).
Regarding the value... these are all common items, so prices are good only if they are in good cosmetic conditions, expecially the lenses' glass and the shutter.
Just to give you an idea, I found this on Willkommen im LeicaShop - Startseite de
Elmar black 4/9cm

EUR 99,00

Modell: Elmar black
Type: 4/9cm
Seriennummer: 414351
Zustand: B/C
Jahr: 1937
Elmar with very clean lenses, cap

... very close to yours... and take note of the info on the lens condition: B/C means that the lens looks much used, but they specify the glass is clean.

In the same shop, you can find a VERY good IIIb of 1938 : priced at 380 Euros, but they point out it is "perfect working technically conditions", the 3 pics show a fine body, and the seller (very serious people) rate it B+.

The cloudness of old lenses can be someway repolished, but if the "marks" you quote are real scratches on glass, this is a problem, and anyway a costly and delicate repair is not justified in economical terms: is worth if you like to use the gear

If you are accustomed to ebay selling (I am not) maybe can be the right place for this isn't a "collector grade" combo. Maybe, the best is that you try to use it : if the lenses, or at least one or two, are still decent, this is a camera that can work well... an operative 70 years old Leica is not a rare oddity...

[pgk]

Many thanks Luigi. I've now also looked on the web and realised that my friend's outfit has certainly worked hard over the years!

Out of interest I tried the 50mm Summar on my M8 and as somewhat surprised at the results. Its more than acceptably sharp when used at f/6.3ish but contrast is low and bright highlights 'spread' somewhat. Flare is very poorly handled and any contre jour shots are awful, but considering its age I'm actually quite impressed. I could see it making a really interesting portrait lens under controlled lighting! I may try the other lenses too - out of sheer curiosity.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by pgk

Out of interest I tried the 50mm Summar on my M8 and as somewhat surprised at the results. Its more than acceptably sharp when used at f/6.3ish but contrast is low and bright highlights 'spread' somewhat. Flare is very poorly handled and any contre jour shots are awful, but considering its age I'm actually quite impressed. I could see it making a really interesting portrait lens under controlled lighting! I may try the other lenses too - out of sheer curiosity.

I've got an optically perfect Summar - you would be very surprised at just how good a good one is! None of the traits above (well ok its not a contrasty lens by any means).

A poor condition one is worth very little but as you say, it can make an interesting 'special effect' lens.