Ask about Leica iiic / iiif

[Sinthip]

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Hello!

I just bought one Leica and the seller told me that it is Leica iiif Blackdial convertion of iiic. And I've checked the serial no. (467xxx) and it is Leica iiic which made in 1949 with Sharkskin.

So, I'm quite confused and wonder what is Leica convertion? And how leica iiic is connecting to iiif? 

I did google, and try to find some information and I found that my Leica is looks different to others Leica iiic.

Here is the image of my Leica. The shutter button look similar to earlier model and the red button look similar to iiif. So, I wonder what's my Leica is? And did it originally from Leica or did it have been modified somehow? Did it the iiif convertion of iiic like the seller told me? and what is black dial?

Please help! Thank you so much.

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Edited November 29, 2019 by Sinthip

[jaapv]

The seller was right. Leica still converts some models from time to time*, although it was more common in the time of the Barnack cameras. That means that the customer sends in an older camera to the factory to be upgraded to some or most of the specifications of a newer model.
Obviously a number of parts must be replaced by newer ones in that case, but the bulk of old model will be retained, producing a mixed camera model.

*My first-batch M9 was converted to a M9-P a-la--carte by the factory when it was three years old, for instance. Top plate, bottom plate, LCD and leather were replaced. Similar programs were offered for M8 and M240. That was indeed a throwback to the first half of the 20th Century, when the practice was quite common..

[willeica]

Based on the SN information and your photo above this is a IIIc converted to a IIIf Black Dial in the 1950s. The Black Dial is the circle of numbers underneath the speed dial which is used for flash sync. This conversion would have been done by Leica and such conversions are not uncommon. I have one myself.

William

[jankap]

My father bought a If after the war. The camera was converted into a IIf, because a built in rangefinder is a good thing to have. I got the camera for my bachelor exam in 1959. Some years later the camera had to be repaired, a piece of film stuck in the mechanism. We decided to let it convert into a IIIf. The self timer and the long exposure were added. 

Mine has a Red Dial flash synchronization .

Edited November 29, 2019 by jankap

[willeica]

I have a Ic converted to a IIf Black Dial. The early 1950s were truly an era of conversions, but conversions were also common in the 1930s, with conversions to Standards and II Model Ds for I Model As and I Model Cs being quite common. Such early conversions don't always enhance the value for collectors, though, as 'original condition' is their ultimate goal.

I am talking about official conversions by Leica here and not amateur hack jobs which also appear from time to time. Those amateur jobs definitely reduce value to a serious degree.

William

[thomas_schertel]

The practice of Leitz to convert older models was very friendly to customers. For a rather low price they received a comletely overhawled camera with all the modern features. So your camera had originally neither self timer nor flash synchronsiation. 

Fom your photo it is not visible, whether it has a self timer. But it has Flash synchronisation: Put the small dial under the time wheel on "2" and the shutter time of 1/30 sec or longer and you can use every modern electronic Flash (with sync-cord or adapter).

Even today Leica updates some models of the film based M series .(rangefinder for M1, more frames for m4 and M5 …)

It would be nice, if modern models could be updated in the same way, instead of buying a new camra for thousands of Euros.

 

yours sincerely
Thomas

[Sinthip]

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Thank you very much for every answer! I've learn and got more knowledge for you all. Thank you so much!