johnastovall Posted February 29, 2008 Share #1 Posted February 29, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I see the term, ""L" sealed" on some M bodies being offered for sale. Just what does this mean? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 29, 2008 Posted February 29, 2008 Hi johnastovall, Take a look here "L " sealed - means what?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Rona!d Posted February 29, 2008 Share #2 Posted February 29, 2008 The "L" seal is located on the upper screw of the M lens mount and indicates that the camera is in original condition like it left the factory or the original Leica service. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted March 1, 2008 Thank you, now that explains it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted March 1, 2008 Share #4 Posted March 1, 2008 John, Just to add to Ronald's note - the last 'L-sealed' bodies were the Wetzlar produced M4 and M5. The M1, MD, MDa, M2, M2R, M3, M4, the original MP and M5 had the 'L' seal when they left the factory. As far as I remember, the M4-2 and M4P did not have the seals anymore. All new MP, M6 and M7 versions have definitely done away with the seal. The benefit of the seal is questionable - it may be beneficial to collectors who want a 'virginal' camera that will probably never get used. But, a 30 to 50 year old camera which has never been opened will most probably need servicing if you want to use it. And - there goes the seal that you would have paid extra for on that used M body...... It would be interesting to find out if cameras serviced at Solms can still be 'L-sealed' when the original seal had to be removed by their service department. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted March 2, 2008 Share #5 Posted March 2, 2008 I think there are two types of L seals, one which is I believe is raised indicating the original factory seal and one that was impressed indicting that the camera had been taken apart and reassembled after work by Leica. The seal configuration may the other way around. There are also various seals used by various independant camera technicians over the years.-Dick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted March 2, 2008 Share #6 Posted March 2, 2008 There are also various seals used by various independant camera technicians over the years.-Dick Leitz too : Midland's have a C sealed and when the cameras was CLAed in Leitz Wetzlar the L seal is recessed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobkatz Posted February 8, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I never found the "69" wax seal means?? from who or where it comes..one of m3 I bought from Australia has it, today no more..since was CLAd by Youxin... regards.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted February 8, 2009 Share #8 Posted February 8, 2009 Here some seals and origins : 56: Serviced by Paepke Fototechnik 92: Serviced by DAG as well all know it. 24: ? 69: ? A: Serviced by Alois Kosnar from Stockholm C: Manufactured by Leitz Midland, Canada, rare sight H: Serviced by Havel Camera, Texas, USA J: Serviced by Mr Gerry Smith from Toronto K: Serviced by Kanto Camera Service, Japan (Kanto Camera Service) L: Raised letter, manufactured by Leitz up to M4-2 and did not include CL L: Recessed letter, serviced by Leitz up to 1982 (?) N: Serviced by Leitz New York O: Unsure origin, mentioned on photo.net to be a service person from Adeleide, Australia. S: Hand-engraved letter, serviced by Sherry Krauter and those (translated in French) taken from "25 Jahre Leica Historica" : A: Venzlaff, Athène/Grèce B: Leitz, Londres/Grande Bretagne C: Leitz, Milan/Italie D: Tiranty, Paris/France E: Brandt, Stockholm/Suède F: Lutz Ferrando, Buenos Aires/Argentine G: Cattaneo, Gênes/Italie H: Schmitt, Hongkong I: Taeuber, Le Cap/Afrique Sud K: Kleiner, Rio de Janeiro/Brésil M: Pablo Ferrando, Montevideo/Uruguay N: Lackland, Aukland/Nlle. Zélande O: Odin, Nijmwegen/Pays-Bas P: Perrot, Biel/Suisse Q: Parer, Sydney/Australie R: Sanitas, Bogota/Colombie S: Schmidt, Tokyo/Japon T: Carveht, Toronto/Canada U: Commercial Ultramar, Mexico/Mexique V: Forestier, Valparaiso/Chili W: Optoteknika, Vienne/Autriche X: Fixit, Bagdad/Irak Y: Leitz, New York/USA Z: Reiss & Co., Jakarta/Malaisie 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobkatz Posted February 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted February 8, 2009 Thanks...what a cool summary¡¡¡¡ Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetooth Posted February 8, 2009 Share #10 Posted February 8, 2009 what if it's just a black wax seal with no markings ? i have a m2 like this just a black seal . thanks tim 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted February 8, 2009 Share #11 Posted February 8, 2009 Hi Tim, what if it's just a black wax seal with no markings ? i have a m2 like this just a black seal.I also have a M4-P like this.It just mean it was at least ones serviced, but you'll never know from who. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetooth Posted February 8, 2009 Share #12 Posted February 8, 2009 thanks for the information . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted February 9, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 9, 2009 In reference to Phillippe's post regarding the seal origins: 'C' may also mean manufacture by Ernst Leitz Midland but, is definitely the seal of the Leitz Canadian distibutor's service department's from the 1960's and 1970's - Walter A. Carveth. Carveth also used 'T' - as they were based in Totonto. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maddoc2003jp Posted February 9, 2009 Share #14 Posted February 9, 2009 My M4-P also has just a plain black seal and was serviced by Leica, Japan last year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobkatz Posted February 9, 2009 Share #15 Posted February 9, 2009 U: Commercial Ultramar, Mexico/Mexique.... Sorry but this not working with leica-photo gear any more...Just asked today.. Bob.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted February 9, 2009 Share #16 Posted February 9, 2009 Hi Jan, Walter A. Carveth. Carveth also used 'T' - as they were based in Totonto. This is mentioned on my list. Hi Bob, U: Commercial Ultramar, Mexico/Mexique....Sorry but this not working with leica-photo gear any more...Just asked today... Many of those firms do not even exist today anymore. This is only good for collectors or when you buy a second (at least) hand camera. Today, those seals are very rarely inserted by repairer, maybe even not at all any more. Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted February 12, 2009 Share #17 Posted February 12, 2009 If the camera has been serviced with no seal marked it is often worth taking off the base plate, the one with the loading diagram on, three screws only, don't drop them, on the reverse is a popular place for an engineer to note his name and date of service or indeed, as I have seen an owner to place his name to prove, presumably, ownership. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.