Consti Posted April 2, 2017 Share #1 Posted April 2, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello everyone, I got an old Leica from my grandfather which I would like to sell. However, as I hate thos selling counterfeits,- can anyone tell me the model as well as if the camera is real? Would that be possible based on the pictures I attached? Unfortunately my grandfather passed away quite some time ago - so there's practically no chance to ask him :/. Thanks a lot for your help ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 2, 2017 Posted April 2, 2017 Hi Consti, Take a look here Unknowen Leica: Real or fake. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
sabears Posted April 2, 2017 Share #2 Posted April 2, 2017 Sorry, no chance: it'a a russian fake 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 2, 2017 Share #3 Posted April 2, 2017 Yes definitely a Russian fake. Keep it as a family momento. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted April 2, 2017 Share #4 Posted April 2, 2017 Looks like a fake. Just check whether the rangefinder cam, inside on top of mount when lens is unscrewed, is round. If it is not round it is a definite fake. Even if it is, it looks like a fake. The surround on the shutter button is also a sure sign of FSU fakes as is the script on the lens cap. The quality of construction also seems to be well below Leica standard. William Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 2, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 2, 2017 Sorry, no chance: it'a a russian fake .. and even not one of the best made by them... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted April 2, 2017 Share #6 Posted April 2, 2017 I've got one of those "brass...real gold" jobs. Amusing, and takes a good picture...just doesn't handle as nicely as my Leica IIIc. Clean it up, and use it as an ornament. all best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted April 3, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 3, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) there are many details which allow to identify russian fake. Good is what William wrote about rangefinder cam. however the most obvious is the shape of viewer window, it it far away from the 2 types of windows in Leicas. Attention: very early FEDs had windows like Leica below SN 240000, however I never saw such camera faked, they are more expensive as original. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Later FEDs (and Zorkis) had release button with inner thread, like this one. Leica kept bell type of remote release with all LTMs. With this particular camera most probably distance between lens flange and film is not correct. The lens has infinity at 9 oclock, with this type of FEDs should be 7. And whatever we say about russian fakes - if properly maintained the foto quality is not far away from those of Leica. Of course, if you take it in the hand you feel immediately that this is not original - winding is stiffer, tollerancies in machining were more "generous" than with Leica, partly because russians did not have rough material in western quality. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Later FEDs (and Zorkis) had release button with inner thread, like this one. Leica kept bell type of remote release with all LTMs. With this particular camera most probably distance between lens flange and film is not correct. The lens has infinity at 9 oclock, with this type of FEDs should be 7. And whatever we say about russian fakes - if properly maintained the foto quality is not far away from those of Leica. Of course, if you take it in the hand you feel immediately that this is not original - winding is stiffer, tollerancies in machining were more "generous" than with Leica, partly because russians did not have rough material in western quality. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/270980-unknowen-leica-real-or-fake/?do=findComment&comment=3247295'>More sharing options...
250swb Posted April 6, 2017 Share #8 Posted April 6, 2017 Was Grandfather in WWII? Found it on a dead German perhaps? The old ones are the best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldphart Posted April 6, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 6, 2017 I was in Wetzlar last week. There was a display of Leica copies in the reception area at the Leica factory, including several "Russian Leicas." It was very interesting to compare the fakes with the actual Leica's which were displayed next to them. Oldphart Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnySeven Posted April 7, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 7, 2017 (edited) Its a fake. I have 4 of these. They are fun for burning through film. There was a guy in Kiev selling them for around $50usd in the early 2000's. He's off the map now. The glass isn't awful, they are a little krunchy mechanically but they make a great conversation piece. Ive seen people at photo show's and military shows trying sell them off as "nazi Leica's" and historical items. Don't do that. Its not nice, very rude. Edited April 7, 2017 by JohnnySeven Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted April 7, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 7, 2017 They are great fun to have. Not to mention that they are a bit liberating as far as handling goes. When I purchased mine, the aperture control was very stiff; being what it was, I judiciously applied a drop of WD40. It loosened right up and continues to move freely. No expensive CLA for my fine, Russian gem. Keep it and enjoy it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted April 7, 2017 Share #12 Posted April 7, 2017 My first LTM camera was a Zorki, a present from my wife. William Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted April 7, 2017 Share #13 Posted April 7, 2017 I was in Wetzlar last week. There was a display of Leica copies in the reception area at the Leica factory, including several "Russian Leicas." It was very interesting to compare the fakes with the actual Leica's which were displayed next to them. Oldphart I wonder if they have a British Reid & Sigrist LTM camera there, as it would show the Leica LTM cameras up for construction standards. Apparently R&S were a bit taken aback when they saw the tolerances on the microfilm blueprints for the IIIB, from which they developed their camera in the late 1940's. Not what they were used to from making aircraft gyroscopes, especially the inertial navigation ones they were just developing for the UK "V" class jet nuclear bombers. When R&S were converting all the measurements to inches, to suit their machine tools, they took the opportunity to tighten up on the Leica tolerances. The original R&S cameras were destined for British military intelligence and the RAF, who had to be seen to be "buying British" with the civilian cameras coming afterwards. I have one of the factory development cameras bought from a retired R&S engineer and it certainly is beautifully made and has the brightest rangefinder I have seen on an LTM camera. They did not sell at all well as with the standard 2 inch Taylor, Taylor and Hobson Anastigmat, they were a few pounds more expensive (£143 in 1954) than the equivalent IIIF Leica and collapsible Summicron (£138). My father paid £150 for my M4 body only in 1967 from Lizars in Aberdeen, Scotland. Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldphart Posted April 7, 2017 Share #14 Posted April 7, 2017 (edited) Hi Wilson, YES, there was definitely one Reid camera there, a Reid III from memory but not in particularly good condition. I think it was paired with a Leica IIIb Best regards, Oldphart Edited April 7, 2017 by oldphart Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldphart Posted April 7, 2017 Share #15 Posted April 7, 2017 Out of interest what is the serial number of the factory development camera? I think regular series production started at 1001 and the first 100 or so did not have any flash contacts. If your factory development camera is any different to the series product then I would love to see a pic. (I have a Reid III #1945 in mint condition.) Best regards. Oldphart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted April 7, 2017 Share #16 Posted April 7, 2017 This list (link below) of Reid Serial Nos is not complete, but it should help to place any Reid model in the overall sequence. http://www.l39sm.co.uk/reid-known-serial-numbers.php The information on SNs seems to have been obtained from 'members'. This site has other useful information including how to spot fake Reids. I have a Reid I (RAF marked F5/8886 on the back) with SN P2132 and a Reid IIIa with SN P2370. I only have one Taylor Hobson Anastigmat to share between the two Reids, though. They are beautifully made cameras with a high standard of construction. William 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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