Inherited a Leica I (s/n 39678)

[lucien55]

Gentlemen,

I've inherited a Leica (s/n 39678) and I'm interested in learning more about it and its value. Would it be an imposition on this group to help me. I'll be happy to upload a photos if there is interest. Thank you.

[jc_braconi]

It is a Leica I made in 1390, 25183 were made this year s/n ranging from 34818 to 60000.
We are always avid of pictures, so you are welcome to post them here.

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by jc_braconi

It is a Leica I made in 1390, 25183 were made this year s/n ranging from 34818 to 60000.
We are always avid of pictures, so you are welcome to post them here.

Hey, JC, don't fool too much this new member... to make him appreciate his new treasure isn't necessary to get him convinced that it dates back to Dante's century...

[Erik van Straten]

Some time ago I discovered on the web this remarkable Leica I. It's a Leica I with calf-skin covering. It's one of the most beautiful Leicas I have ever seen. I've called it the aubergine Leica. It's an object that represents, for me, the ultimate art déco decadence of the twenties.
Does the forum like this one too?

[jc_braconi]

Is it yours ?

[Erik van Straten]

No. I discovered it when it was already sold at an auction. I do not remember it's price, euro 3000 - 4000 maybe... Not much for a defenitely unique piece...

[jc_braconi]

Erik,
For the future of this forum, it is the rule to post only your picture with your own material,
other picture(s) must be linked by an url and only by this way.
we all must have this e-tiquet.
I recently make the point with Andy Barton, moderator, about this.
Thank you
Respectfully

[Erik van Straten]

I've read the rules. I am sorry. I didn't know about this. Here you can find the image:
FOTO HOBBY Rahn GMBH

respectfully,

Erik van Straten

[lucien55]

Well, here are the photos of the Leica I inherited. Excuse my ignorance but why the two viewfinders, one with a distinct orange cast to it.

[bill]

The orange "viewfinder" is an ORAKO filter. It pushes on. But it is on the wrong window. On the other window it makes the out of focus area of an image go orange, to make it easier to see and to focus.

Regards,

Bill

[Erik van Straten]

This is not a Leica I, but a Leica I converted into a Leica II. It's an early conversion, from around 1932. It's nice that your Elmar is coated, for it will be a better performer. Originally it was ofcourse not coated.
The ORAKO is officially mounted on the right window. When it's on the other window, the infinity-catch on your lens will hit it when you unscrew the lens.
When you take the ORAKO off, maybe you'll discover that the window it covers is a yellow filter. Is that the case, then the ORAKO is in fact superfluous. But maybe the ORAKO is there because the original yellow filter has been lost.
I wonder what the chrome ring is that's between the green filter and the lenscap. Does anybody know what it is?
It's a pity that the original black baseplate has been replaced by a chrome one.

Regards,

Erik.

[lucien55]

I wonder what the chrome ring is that's between the green filter and the lenscap. Does anybody know what it is?

My thanks to everyone for your enlightenment.

The chrome ring screws into the lens and has a clear lens of it's own. I assumed it was a lens protector. Interesting about the upgrade. I had read about that but I'm surprised the original serial number is maintained.

Can someone give me an idea of an approximate value ?

[Erik van Straten]

Never heard of a lens protector with a lens in it. I think it's a close focus lens. Presumably when this object is screwed into the lens and the lens itself is set at infinity, the focus will be at 50cm. But this is only speculation.
Leica conversions allways carry their original serial numbers. This was done for reasons of tax. When tax was paid for a camera with a certain number, tax couldn't be charged -- after the conversion -- for a second time.
I cannot give an approximate value. Much depends on the inner condition of the camera, such as the shutter cutains and the condition of the rangefinder. When the lens is in really good condition, it's probably worth more than the camera.
Re-reading your post, I think you do not know how the rangefinder works. Well, on the back of the camera are two peep-holes. The one on the right is the viewfinder. When you look trough it, you will see the image that will be recorded on film. The peep-hole on the left, however, is the rangefinder, needed to focus the lens. When you look through that one, you will see two superimposted images. When you turn the distance-scale of the lens, you will notice that those two superimposted images will move in relation to each other. When you point the rangefinder at an object and you turn the distance-scale of the lens, at one moment the two superimposted images of the chosen object will be co-incident. Then the focus is automatically set for the chosen object.

[jc_braconi]

Lucien,
can you post, please, a picture about this chrome ring only, both sides, thank you.

[bill]

Originally Posted by Erik van Straten

Edit:
The ORAKO is officially mounted on the right window. When it's on the other window, the infinity-catch on your lens will hit it when you unscrew the lens.

Regards,

Erik.

Erik, that makes no sense. On the right hand window it turns the entire image orange. There is no benefit. It is true that the infinity lock on some lenses will foul on the ORAKO on the left hand window, but that is easily rectified by turning the lens from the infinity position before mounting and dismounting.

Regards,

Bill

[lucien55]

Originally Posted by jc_braconi

Lucien,
can you post, please, a picture about this chrome ring only, both sides, thank you.

I'll be happy to but in the meanwhile I can tell you about it. It's not from Leica. Engraved on the side it reads "Enteco .. made in U.S.A." . It's two pieces, the bottom half properly sized to screw into the camera lens and the top half unscrews to give access to the removable clear filter (I meant to say filter in place of lens in an earlier post).

[Erik van Straten]

Bill, but it's true. On all early Leitz rangefinders from the twenties and early thirties, the left window (seen from the back) is in fact a yellow filter. I do agree with you that when it would be the right, it would have been more useful. In that case, the circular rangefinder spot would stand out (yellow) more clearly in the image. But this was not the way Leitz intended things.
The ORAKO should, for the same reasons that are mentioned before, be mounted on the right window (seen from the front of the camera). That's the way Leitz intended the use of the ORAKO, whether we like it or not. Try to unscrew an Elmar 50mm F3.5 with the ORAKO in place. When you are in a hurry, you will damage the lens, the ORAKO, or both.

Regards,

Erik.

[lucien55]

Erik,

Thanks again. Interesting about the tax and it makes perfect sense of course. Your conclusion about make lack of understanding on how this camera works is spot on.

The camera does operate. I can't attest to how well, but it seems mechanically sound. As I'm sure is apparent, I'm not very knowledgeable about cameras and the quality of my photos equally demonstrates my lack of photography skills - I wish I was better skilled.

Anyway, the batch of photography equipment I've inherited from my father which he bought in an estate auction is a bit overwhelming for me. Hasselblads, Nikon F2's, Zeiss Hologon Ultrawide (yes, really), Paillard movie camera, and more. I need to find homes for much of this equipment. Hopefully for people that will really appreciate it. In that light, can anyone give me a estimate range for the value my converted Leica.

Thanks again.

[Erik van Straten]

Lucien, can you repeat in other words in your post about the chrome ring what you are trying to say? To me, it's not very clear.

Regards,

Erik.

[bill]

Originally Posted by Erik van Straten

Bill, but it's true. On all early Leitz rangefinders from the twenties and early thirties, the left window (seen from the back) is in fact a yellow filter. I do agree with you that when it would be the right, it would have been more useful. In that case, the circular rangefinder spot would stand out (yellow) more clearly in the image. But this was not the way Leitz intended things.
The ORAKO should, for the same reasons that are mentioned before, be mounted on the right window (seen from the front of the camera). That's the way Leitz intended the use of the ORAKO, if we do like it or not. Try to unscrew an Elmar 50mm F3.5 with the ORAKO in place. When you are in a hurry, you will damage the lens, the ORAKO, or both.

Regards,

Erik.

Interesting. I have one on my IIIc, and use it what I regard as the "correct" way, to increase the contrast in the rangefinder coincident image and make it easier to focus. I therefore have it on the left-hand (viewed from the front) window. I have a 5cm Elmar as well as a 3.5cm. Both foul it with their infinity locks when in the locked position. I am entirely used to this, and simply rotate the lens to the closest focus position, at which it doesn't foul. I simply can't see the sense in turning the viewfinder (as opposed to the rangefinder) orange.

Regards,

Bill