Leica I (model A)

• Code names - First as LEICA, and then LENEU (body only)

LEOMU = LENEU + ELMAR (Elmar (I) f= 5 cm 1:3.5)

LEDRL = LENEU + EKURZ (Elmar f= 3.5 cm 1:3.5)

LEVIR = LENEU + HEKTO (Hektor f= 5 cm 1:2.5)

LEANEKALB = LENEU + ELMAR with calfskin leather body cover (from the 1931 Leitz catalog)

• Production era - 1925-1936; 58,735 cameras
• Evolution - First production Leica camera with one of four fixed, collapsible lenses - 10 versions, von Einem.
• Variants - Furnished with Anastigmat (144 cameras), Elmax (713 cameras), Elmar (56,548 cameras), or Hektor (1,330 cameras) 5 cm fixed lenses; feathered or featherless arrows; mushroom, dimpled or threaded releases; thick or thin engraving; round or horizontal base plate locking key; coarse or fine vulcanite; snakeskin, calfskin cover; gold Luxus version with lizard skin cover -g- code name LELUX with ELMAR Anastigmatic lens
• Body - aluminum with black lacquered brass top plate and base plate with nickel plated knobs and a black vulcanite covering.
• Size L x W x H - 133 x 39 x 65 mm / 5.24 x 1.54 x 2.60 in
• Shutter speed range - 1 /500s to 1 /25s + Z (time exposure)
• Designer - Oskar Barnack
• Reviews
  • Camerapedia's Leica I (A)
  • Stephen Gandy's Leica A
  • Pacific Rim's Leica A
• Forum discussion
  • JCB's a little...I model A
  • [1] [2] [3]
  • [4]
  • [5]
  • Fontenelle archive
  • [6]

• Leitz Elmax Lens - ELMAX . LLC - 112
• Production era - 1922-1925
• Variants - Anastigmat see Leica 0, Elmax, Hektor 50/2.5 and Elmar 50/3.5
• Lens mount - Fixed on camera
• Number of lenses /groups - 5 /3
• F stop range - f/3.5 - f/18
• Closest focusing distance - 1 m
• Angle of view diagonal - 45 degrees
• Materials - Nickel plated brass
• Dimensions (length x diameter) -
• Weight - 125 g /4.40 oz
• Inscription - Leitz Elmax 1:3.5 F=50mm
• Designer - Max Berek
• Reviews
  • Marco Cavina

Leica I (model A) Serial Numbers

Serial numbers compiled from Puts Pocket Pod
^ Camera 52584 is Leica I (model C)

SN Start	SN End	Product	Year	Batch
131	1000	Leica I (Anastigmat & Elmax 1st version)	1924	870
1001	2445	Leica I (Elmax, Elmar + Elmar Close-Focus)	1926	1445
2446	5433	Leica I (Elmar 2nd version + Elmar Close-Focus)	1926-1927	2988
5434	5700	Leica I (4 digit)	1928	267
6301	13100	Leica I (Elmar 4th version + Elmar Close-Focus)	1928	6800
13301	21478	Leica I (Elmar 6th version + Elmar Close-Focus)	1929	8178
21811	34550	Leica I (Elmar) 7th version from 31600	1928	12740
34803	34817	Leica I (Elmar + Luxus)	1929	15
34818	^60000	Leica I (Elmar 8-10th versions + Elmar Close-Focus + Hektor)	1930	25183
TOTAL	ASSIGNED	SERIAL NUMBERS	1925-1930	58,486

• Camera Conversion Chart courtesy of greyelm