ptarmigan Posted October 29, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm seriously considering buying an older Leica, I, II or III and I am aware that some fakes exist. Anyone have any pics of fakes or can suggest what I need to look out for to avoid landing one. Thanks in advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 Hi ptarmigan, Take a look here Leica fakes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted October 29, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 29, 2009 The easiest giveaway I know of is the focussing cam at the top of the lens throat. On the FSU bodies it is a solid lump of metal. From personal experience I would also say that the FSU bodies are simply more agricultural, although it is hard to tell this from a picture. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 29, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 29, 2009 Hello, It will be better that YOU submit here some pictures about the one you want to acquire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 29, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 29, 2009 The fakes are usually glaringly obvious, crude finish, wrong details etc. If you're not familiar with the cameras of course you may not know the differences so I suggest you study photos and specifications (see the LTM thread on this forum) of known Leica's. Another way to avoid a cheap Russian fake is buy your camera from one of the reputable dealers - if you buy via e bay you will very probably end up with a camera which has faults or will need a service anyway. Buy from a dealer and you should get a good working camera with some kind of warranty. Feel free to ask for any advice! They are lovely cameras and every Leica photographer should own one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 29, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 29, 2009 Just an example of a pleasant Russian Leica II... 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! Indeed, when one has a certain "eye" to original Leicas, to distinguish the fake of a STANDARD Leica model isn't difficult : standard Leicas like I II III aren't rare nor too much costly... isn't worth to arrange a "superb" fake; things are different for rare items, and fakes of rares derived from originals (i.e. a Leica 250 made from a IIIa) can be the most difficult to distinguish. So my advice is quite simple : if is your first "Barnack" , try to SEE AND TOUCH directly some of them... you easily "sense" the look of fake; or more easy, buy one from one of the 8-10 internationally reknown on line dealers : they have many std. Barnacks for sale, and they are surely original (many of them list fakes too, simply declaring them this way, like the above pic, taken from Leicashop of Wien). P.S. Hi, JC, James, Bill... nice to meet at this easy hour... we look a group of old friends chatting while taking their aperitives... Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Indeed, when one has a certain "eye" to original Leicas, to distinguish the fake of a STANDARD Leica model isn't difficult : standard Leicas like I II III aren't rare nor too much costly... isn't worth to arrange a "superb" fake; things are different for rare items, and fakes of rares derived from originals (i.e. a Leica 250 made from a IIIa) can be the most difficult to distinguish. So my advice is quite simple : if is your first "Barnack" , try to SEE AND TOUCH directly some of them... you easily "sense" the look of fake; or more easy, buy one from one of the 8-10 internationally reknown on line dealers : they have many std. Barnacks for sale, and they are surely original (many of them list fakes too, simply declaring them this way, like the above pic, taken from Leicashop of Wien). P.S. Hi, JC, James, Bill... nice to meet at this easy hour... we look a group of old friends chatting while taking their aperitives... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/101910-leica-fakes/?do=findComment&comment=1095017'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 29, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 29, 2009 P.S. Hi, JC, James, Bill... nice to meet at this easy hour... we look a group of old friends chatting while taking their aperitives... LOL, well maybe just a slight G&T..... Good advice above. Now it's just a case of finding the right camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted October 29, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Here is a nice web site for Zorkis and FEDS, and how they differ from Leicas - How to identify a fake Leica and, Elmar vs Industar Regards, Steve Busch Duncan, South Carolina - U.S. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted October 30, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted October 30, 2009 Thanks everyone. I'll let you know how I get on in due course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted November 1, 2009 Leica II ( and IIIf - real or fake. They both look fine to me. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/101910-leica-fakes/?do=findComment&comment=1098160'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 1, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 1, 2009 Genuine, but I can't identify what's stuck on the front of the lllf ! The ll with Elmar looks lovely, if you don't buy it can you tell me who's selling! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 1, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 1, 2009 Genuine, but I can't identify what's stuck on the front of the lllf ! The ll with Elmar looks lovely, if you don't buy it can you tell me who's selling! An old A36 filter, I guess... but there is something strange in the (Elmar ?) lens mount... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted November 2, 2009 Well, I took the plunge, bit the bullet and all......... I'm now the proud owner of one very nice Leica II (D) with Elmar 50mm f3.5. Thanks for all your assistance. Perhaps we should have a 'sticky' thread with two or three representative pictures of each model that could be used by 'newbies' like me to help spot good ones or fakes? So now I just need to get hold of some film......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyM Posted November 2, 2009 Share #13 Posted November 2, 2009 If you are in the UK have a look at the "1936 Olympics" Leica halfway through Sunday's Antiques Roadshow BBC iPlayer - Antiques Roadshow: Series 32: Lincoln 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 3, 2009 Share #14 Posted November 3, 2009 So now I just need to get hold of some film......... Snappy Snaps, Tesco, Sainsburys, Boots, Jessops, possibly your corner shop/local newsagents, order on line.........really, it's not difficult to find! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted November 3, 2009 Snappy Snaps, Tesco, Sainsburys, Boots, Jessops, possibly your corner shop/local newsagents, order on line.........really, it's not difficult to find! Never suggested it was; I just don't have any at present. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 3, 2009 Share #16 Posted November 3, 2009 So tell us, did you buy the camera in the photos above? Look forward to seeing your results - they take a little getting used to but once you are familiar with the camera it all seems perfectly natural. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted November 3, 2009 Yes Couldn't resist the II (D) as above, sorry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 3, 2009 Share #18 Posted November 3, 2009 Don't blame you, the lllf is the better user, but that ll looks so lovely, and the lens is in very nice condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted November 3, 2009 After always owning/using chrome cameras; I've owned countless Nikons, OMs and an M6 which I regretted selling, I now seem to have a thing for black cameras so my stable of 4 black OM cameras is joined by the black Leica II. Of course the OMs are all much better condition (three of the 4 are totally mint) but then they are less than half the age! With the amount of film I am going to shoot I don't think using the II will present any problems. Thanks again for your help. Of course the bad news is that I keep seeing other lovely Leicas that I quite fancy owning, and I want a black Nikon F2a and F3 one day too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyM Posted November 3, 2009 Share #20 Posted November 3, 2009 As access to BBC Player is restricted to the UK here's a screengrab of the camera in question, apparently bought for £480 .. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/101910-leica-fakes/?do=findComment&comment=1101694'>More sharing options...
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