theseus12 Posted September 8, 2015 Share #1 Posted September 8, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am working with a client that just inherited a beautiful Leica 72 Midland. Looks authentic to me, correct serial number and all, but I know there are some fakes out there. Any feedback would be appreciate. Thanks, Ryan 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! Quote 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/249872-leica-72-midland/?do=findComment&comment=2884751'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 Hi theseus12, Take a look here Leica 72 Midland. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted September 8, 2015 Share #2 Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) All the details of the Canadian 72, including flash sync and film reminder do look OK : though this is a rare, desirable and highly valued camera, seems uneven it's a highly professionally made fake... and the case is fine looking too... Which lens is the one at right ? It sounds no Leitz, on the contrary...but can't read the engraving... I think that, being you in the US, an inspection by Leica USA is worth, and mandatory if the owner thinks to sell it (this is definitely an item for an important auction : see here : http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-72-(Midland).html) Edited September 8, 2015 by luigi bertolotti 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted September 8, 2015 Share #3 Posted September 8, 2015 Hello Ryan,, Welcome to the Forum. These cameras were manufactured a while ago & it is possible that this one has been sitting unused for some time. Just sitting in itself is not harmful. It is sort of like a person sitting on a couch watching TV for a long time & not getting up during commercials. When that person gets up, or in the case of a camera, begins to operate, sometimes things can be a little stiff & creaky. A potential problem with that is: The camera you have shown pictures of is a variety that was made in small numbers for which there are not necessarily replacement parts available if, by chance, you should need them. This is coupled with the fact that this is one of the varieties of older screwmount (Sometimes called "Barnack") cameras which are considered quite collectible & therefore it might be prudent to consider this camera to be more of a possible "Valuable Collectible" than as a camera to be used for taking photographs. BEFORE you wind the camera & try to operate the shutter there are a few questions it might be useful to answer:Do you know approximately how long it has been since the camera last had the shutter wound & released?Do you you have any record of the camera being serviced? It appears to have been serviced or at least looked at at least one time since it was built. That is enough for a start. Best Regards, Michael 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 8, 2015 Share #4 Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) A side note : the "X" in the "18 X 24" engraving looks larger than in some items... but is a known variation which one can find in items sold in last years. Also... what is written on the sticker on the back ? As Michael said, is useful to know if this item had been serviced... and that sticker could be related with this... Edited September 8, 2015 by luigi bertolotti 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theseus12 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted September 8, 2015 All the details of the Canadian 72, including flash sync and film reminder do look OK : though this is a rare, desirable and highly valued camera, seems uneven it's a highly professionally made fake... and the case is fine looking too... Which lens is the one at right ? It sounds no Leitz, on the contrary...but can't read the engraving... I think that, being you in the US, an inspection by Leica USA is worth, and mandatory if the owner thinks to sell it (this is definitely an item for an important auction : see here : http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-72-(Midland).html) The lens is an Angenieux R1 35mm f/2.5 m39. Also fairly valuable. Although it does have several dings and dents. The owner has not yet decided what he wants to do with the item. He did not realize the value until speaking with me. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theseus12 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) A side note : the "X" in the "18 X 24" engraving looks larger than in some items... but is a known variation which one can find in items sold in last years. Also... what is written on the sticker on the back ? As Michael said, is useful to know if this item had been serviced... and that sticker could be related with this... The sticker says "92 17-2017" The owner has no documentation or repair records. Edited September 8, 2015 by theseus12 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theseus12 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted September 8, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello Ryan,, Welcome to the Forum. These cameras were manufactured a while ago & it is possible that this one has been sitting unused for some time. Just sitting in itself is not harmful. It is sort of like a person sitting on a couch watching TV for a long time & not getting up during commercials. When that person gets up, or in the case of a camera, begins to operate, sometimes things can be a little stiff & creaky. A potential problem with that is: The camera you have shown pictures of is a variety that was made in small numbers for which there are not necessarily replacement parts available if, by chance, you should need them. This is coupled with the fact that this is one of the varieties of older screwmount (Sometimes called "Barnack") cameras which are considered quite collectible & therefore it might be prudent to consider this camera to be more of a possible "Valuable Collectible" than as a camera to be used for taking photographs. BEFORE you wind the camera & try to operate the shutter there are a few questions it might be useful to answer: Do you know approximately how long it has been since the camera last had the shutter wound & released? Do you you have any record of the camera being serviced? It appears to have been serviced or at least looked at at least one time since it was built. That is enough for a start. Best Regards, Michael Thanks for your advice. I work with Leicas quite frequently just nothing of this rarity. I will advise the owner not to try to wind or fire it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted September 8, 2015 Share #8 Posted September 8, 2015 Hello Ryan, The camera in the photo has the shutter run down. Leitz only used the "Middle Portion" of the possible spring energy available in the shutter mechanism by using springs which are over sized for their purpose.That means the springs never run down all the way when the shutter is fired & never wind up too tightly when the shutter is wound. This is why there is no need to worry about over tightened springs being left tensioned for too long in either Leitz Screw Mount or "M" film cameras. Wound up or run down does not make a difference. Altho winding or/& firing a camera that has been sitting without being used for many years MIGHT cause a problem. This is why we are proceeding slowly. Luigi's advice to show it to Leica (The company that used to be Leitz.) is a good idea. Best Regards, Michael 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theseus12 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted September 8, 2015 Hello Ryan, The camera in the photo has the shutter run down. Leitz only used the "Middle Portion" of the possible spring energy available in the shutter mechanism by using springs which are over sized for their purpose.That means the springs never run down all the way when the shutter is fired & never wind up too tightly when the shutter is wound. This is why there is no need to worry about over tightened springs being left tensioned for too long in either Leitz Screw Mount or "M" film cameras. Wound up or run down does not make a difference. Altho winding or/& firing a camera that has been sitting without being used for many years MIGHT cause a problem. This is why we are proceeding slowly. Luigi's advice to show it to Leica (The company that used to be Leitz.) is a good idea. Best Regards, Michael All good ideas. I also have a former Leica certified tech that owns a business near to me. I could have him look at it first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted September 9, 2015 Share #10 Posted September 9, 2015 I know very little about these details - but it seems odd to me that the camera has a IIIf flash and synchronization facility. However the view finder and range finder windows look more like a IIIa. Seems like an inconsistency. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 9, 2015 Share #11 Posted September 9, 2015 (edited) I know very little about these details - but it seems odd to me that the camera has a IIIf flash and synchronization facility. However the view finder and range finder windows look more like a IIIa. Seems like an inconsistency. Yes, sync and IIIa-based body seem an inconsistency : but the Canadian Leica 72 was indeed designed and made like this : IIIa chassis and adding flash features of the IIIf (which are absent in the few Wetzlar Leica 72, even more rare than the Canadians). And, after all, the flash sync could be added to IIIa too... as a factory upgrade. Edited September 9, 2015 by luigi bertolotti 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 9, 2015 Share #12 Posted September 9, 2015 (edited) The sticker says "92 17-2017" The owner has no documentation or repair records. mmmhhh... not easy to decipher... difficult that it means that in 1992 it was serviced with a 25 years warranty.... Edited September 9, 2015 by luigi bertolotti 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.