LEICA HISTORICA

[pedaes]

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 I just found out that I do not see any signatures in the forum - from nobody.

 

I tried with an IPad and a Mac, with Safari and Chrome, searched if I had to change any personal settings, but found nothing. 

 

So I believe something is wrong, but I don't know what...

 

One for Andreas?

[UliWer]

Problem solved: I inadvertently activated the function to ignore all signatures...

 

Sorry for my confusion; now even I find the link to JC's collection.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jc_braconi]

Hello
I updated the R 9 page with an R9 Black 
Thanks for looking

[tsok]

hi,

 

Just wanted to share my black M3 photo.

 

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[wlaidlaw]

I was using a friend's Bundeseigentum M3 over last weekend and just loved the 0.91 viewfinder. I therefore set out to buy a rough M3 which I would sent to Alan Starkie to restore and paint either Durakote® Black or Bundeseigentum Olive Green. However, when I was looking, I came across this gem, which I could not resist. I got the camera and Elmar 50/2.8 ELMOM lens at just fractionally over €1,000 which given its condition is very reasonable. I am not too worried that I will not have 35mm framelines, as I have more than enough film and digital M's where I do, to use wider lenses. If really needed, I do have both a SBLOO 35mm viewfinder and a TEWE zoom finder. 

 

Now all I need to find is a 12549 hood. I thought I had one but I must have sold it with my rather poorly built (sloppy extension, wobbly when locked out and very loose aperture ring with virtually no detents) coded 2006 Elmar 50, about 10 years ago. I do have a spare 12585 clip on hood but although it fits, it looks a bit bulky on the small Elmar. I hope the older Elmar (1961 from its serial) will be much better made than my 2006 one. 

 

Wilson

 

 

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[jc_braconi]

The M3 remains my favorite, it was my first camera, shortly after I bought a second one.

[willeica]

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I was using a friend's Bundeseigentum M3 over last weekend and just loved the 0.91 viewfinder. I therefore set out to buy a rough M3 which I would sent to Alan Starkie to restore and paint either Durakote® Black or Bundeseigentum Olive Green. However, when I was looking, I came across this gem, which I could not resist. I got the camera and Elmar 50/2.8 ELMOM lens at just fractionally over €1,000 which given its condition is very reasonable. I am not too worried that I will not have 35mm framelines, as I have more than enough film and digital M's where I do, to use wider lenses. If really needed, I do have both a SBLOO 35mm viewfinder and a TEWE zoom finder. 

 

Now all I need to find is a 12549 hood. I thought I had one but I must have sold it with my rather poorly built (sloppy extension, wobbly when locked out and very loose aperture ring with virtually no detents) coded 2006 Elmar 50, about 10 years ago. I do have a spare 12585 clip on hood but although it fits, it looks a bit bulky on the small Elmar. I hope the older Elmar (1961 from its serial) will be much better made than my 2006 one. 

 

Wilson

 

The 12549 is a wonderfully versatile hood. I have one that not only fits a couple of 50mm f 2.8 Elmars that I have, but also my 3 different types of 35mm f 2.8 Summaron and also an f3.5 variant of the 35mm Summaron lens. It even fits on a 27mm f2.8 Fujifilm lens. There may be others, including a Voigtlander lens that it fits. The 12549 will take a lens cap, unlike the IROOA. The IROOA will, however, giver better cover from flare on the 35mm Summarons. 

 

No Leica home should be with a 12549.

 

William

[wlaidlaw]

My first Leica type camera was a very rare Reid and Sigrist Model 2 (ex-RAF but never used and still in its box). The model 2 , with no slow speeds, was made in tiny numbers, probably over 50 but less than 100, compared to the model 3 (2300 made), and the model 1 with no rangefinder (around 150-200). I part exchanged it for very little money for a Mamiya SLR in around 1963/4. This is close to a capital offence . 

 

Wilson

[willeica]

My first Leica type camera was a very rare Reid and Sigrist Model 2 (ex-RAF but never used and still in its box). The model 2 , with no slow speeds, was made in tiny numbers, probably over 50 but less than 100, compared to the model 3 (2300 made), and the model 1 with no rangefinder (around 150-200). I part exchanged it for very little money for a Mamiya SLR in around 1963/4. This is close to a capital offence . 

 

Wilson

 

I have an RAF Reid Model 1 in my collection. Speaking of Historica, I managed to pick this up last week. It has an obvious attraction for me because of the Dublin dealer's engraving, even though I already had 5 other early black II Model Ds (they are a favourite collection item for me along with I Model As). There is a similar (but not identical) engraving shown on page 39 of Laney's book. The engravings may have been done by local jewellers, possibly Weirs who are still in business further down the street - I must make some enquiries. Pollocks have long since gone out business. They were still there in the 1950s, possibly there into the 60s, but definitely gone by the 70s. The building which they once occupied currently has a tenant that calls itself 'Urban Decay', appropriately enough.

 

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William

[wlaidlaw]

The other problem with the clip on Elmar hoods like 12585 and ITOOY on a collapsing lens, is that they revolve when you are trying to lock the lens in place after extending, so you have to scrabble around with your finger nails behind the hood or take the hood off. The screw in 12549 hood is much easier to use. 

 

Wilson

[derleicaman]

I have an RAF Reid Model 1 in my collection. Speaking of Historica, I managed to pick this up last week. It has an obvious attraction for me because of the Dublin dealer's engraving, even though I already had 5 other early black II Model Ds (they are a favourite collection item for me along with I Model As). There is a similar (but not identical) engraving shown on page 39 of Laney's book. The engravings may have been done by local jewellers, possibly Weirs who are still in business further down the street - I must make some enquiries. Pollocks have long since gone out business. They were still there in the 1950s, possibly there into the 60s, but definitely gone by the 70s. The building which they once occupied currently has a tenant that calls itself 'Urban Decay', appropriately enough.

 

Pollock Leica.jpg

 

William

Hello William,

Interesting to note that the serial number engraving on your camera is uneven. I didn't think Wetzlar did things like that back then! :-)

[willeica]

Hello William,

Interesting to note that the serial number engraving on your camera is uneven. I didn't think Wetzlar did things like that back then! :-)

 

Thanks Bill. I already had 5 other early II Model Ds and I know that this camera is a genuine II Model D. A friend has checked out the camera SN against the Hahne list and everything checks out. It must have been a 'Monday morning camera' as the SN is, indeed, raised on the last two digits as you point out. I also have a theory about Leica being very much a 'craft business' in the early days as I have seen many other such 'inconsistencies' in early Leicas. There is another 5 digit number handwritten in the base and on the bottom of the camera. If this number were the original SN it would make this camera an upgraded I Model A. However, two CLA experts that I have discussed the matter with are convinced that this was done during a repair process to make sure that the camera and base plate met up together again after the work was completed.

 

I have also checked this camera against a very similar near mint one which I obtained from Westlicht some time ago and all details are the same. My main concern was the 'engraving' on the wind knob as it differs from that in Laney, but on second thoughts if someone were going to do a 'fake' they would probably copy the Laney example exactly. My CLA guy here in Dublin says that it looks like a stamper was used to do the work on the wind knob which would make sense if this was being applied to all cameras sold through the dealership. The Pollock dealership closed about 50 years ago, but the work may have been done by a local jeweller in the Grafton Street area of Dublin. I may follow up on this. I might also ask about it when we are both in Wetzlar next October. I was going to send a photo of the camera to Lars, but I am waiting on a couple of other items that I want to ask him about before I contact him.

 

William

[jc_braconi]

Hello

I just add an R9 Black to the pages

Thanks for looking

[jaapv]

On 7/12/2018 at 12:22 PM, wlaidlaw said:

I was using a friend's Bundeseigentum M3 over last weekend and just loved the 0.91 viewfinder. I therefore set out to buy a rough M3 which I would sent to Alan Starkie to restore and paint either Durakote® Black or Bundeseigentum Olive Green. However, when I was looking, I came across this gem, which I could not resist. I got the camera and Elmar 50/2.8 ELMOM lens at just fractionally over €1,000 which given its condition is very reasonable. I am not too worried that I will not have 35mm framelines, as I have more than enough film and digital M's where I do, to use wider lenses. If really needed, I do have both a SBLOO 35mm viewfinder and a TEWE zoom finder. 

 

Now all I need to find is a 12549 hood. I thought I had one but I must have sold it with my rather poorly built (sloppy extension, wobbly when locked out and very loose aperture ring with virtually no detents) coded 2006 Elmar 50, about 10 years ago. I do have a spare 12585 clip on hood but although it fits, it looks a bit bulky on the small Elmar. I hope the older Elmar (1961 from its serial) will be much better made than my 2006 one. 

 

Wilson

 

 

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12549? I've got a couple of spares. Just drop me a line and I'll send you one. An 12550 as well, if you need it.

[wlaidlaw]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

12549? I've got a couple of spares. Just drop me a line and I'll send you one. An 12550 as well, if you need it.

Many thanks Jaap. The 12549 I had ordered, which got lost in the post, finally turned up after three and a half weeks.

Wilson

[jc_braconi]

Hello,

I added the Leicaflex I Black Paint and the Leicameter MR 4 Black Paint
Thanks for looking.

[jc_braconi]

Hello
I added a Leica IIIa Black paint with its MOOLY motor 1st model
Thanks for looking

[sls]

I bought this Leica III on a quick whim as I used to be an R G Lewis customer, and then bought from Len at Richard Caplan. I understand they were the first UK Leica dealer. It's a 1935, one owner, seems immaculate, with a purpose built case by R G Lewis with a very nice label "R G Lewis - Miniature camera specialist - 202 High Holborn". The case was made to include a Leica version Sixtus, supplied by Dallmeyer, who were at 31 Mortimer Street (now Sainsburys) a short walk from R G Lewis. 

 

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[sls]

See above

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[wlaidlaw]

I always thought that Wallace Heaton in New Bond Street were the first UK Leica dealer. The first Leica dealer in Scotland were J Lizars, who had branches in all the large towns. They are still going, as Black and Lizars but now mainly just opticians. My great uncle bought his Model III from their Aberdeen branch in 1934 and inspired by him, my Grandfather bought his Model II in 1935. I still have both of these cameras, with the Hektor for the Model III but the Elmar for the Model II disappeared in the early 1970's (I suspect it was screwed into my father's enlarger which was thrown away). My first new Leica, an M4, was bought from them in 1967, also at their Aberdeen branch and is still working perfectly.  Here is a Wallace Heaton receipt dated 1937 for the original owner of my IIIa and its Summar lens. 

Wilson

 

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Edited May 2, 2019 by wlaidlaw