Getting Started

[kurtnbarb]

Hello all,
I'm trying to find out some information about my father's camera. It's a an M3 silver and black body. Underneath the "Leica" emblem, it has DBP stamped. It also says Enrst Leitz CGMH and Wetzler Germany. The Serial number is M3-817 143
The lenses are a Leitz Wetzler Summaron 1:28/35 SN: 1664161 (with an an attached viewfinder device of some kind). The other lens is an Elmar 1:28/50 Leitz Wetzler SN: 1697828. The last lens is an Ernst Leitz Gmbh Wetzler Hektor f=13.5cm 1:45 Nr 1313700 (which I think is the SN). Also in the bag there was a couple of meters> One simply says metrawatt A.G. Nurnberg, and the other is an old DeJUR. My father was in the US Army, and this meter is stamped US Government amongst its other information.
I'd like to know some of the history of these items (of course I need to find a book to learn more).
Thanks in advance,
Kurt Heine

[luigi bertolotti]

You are a lucky guy... have in your hands a legendary camera and a set of 3 fine lenses... I prefer not to start writing infos about... would be a too long speech .
If you wish to get infos on your camera, lenses etc., there are good resources on the Net (ex : CameraQuest Home - "Classic Camera Profiles", Summilux ... here you can find MANUALS : Free camera instruction manuals, free camera user guide, camera manual, camera instruction manuals,* Ricoh camera manuals, Sears Camera Manuals, camera instruction manual, replacement camera manual, ricoh point and shoot, cosina camera manual, fujica
... and many others.
Then there are the books :
- James Lager : Leica An Illustrated History: Cameras (3 volumes: Cameras, Lenses, Accessories)
- Paul-Henry Van Hasbroek - Leica History Book
- Dennis Laney : Leica collectors' guide
- Gianni Rogliatti : Leica the first 70 years

A single question : you say the camera is engraved Enrst Leitz CGMH : i suppose is a typo from you... must be GMBH (sorry, but mis-engravings do exist, they are rare, they add value to these splendid collectors items)

Of course me and all the forum members would appreciate if you post some pictures of thes fine items...

Last note: if the equipment is in good conditions (easy to verify, expecially the lenses, that must be clean, clear, and unscratched) it can take excellent pictures, of course.