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  • 1 month later...

I asked this question in a separate thread before finding this thread so asking the question here as well:


I recently came across a Leica II D in black paint.  I have traced the serial number back to an early production.  The strange thing with the camera is it does have strap lugs on either side of the camera.  I know the Leica II did not come with lugs, at least the early versions. The camera does not appear to be a fake not is it a Leica III as there is no slow shutter speed dial.  Did Leica offer lugs as a customization to cameras?  They appear to be well mounted or what I mean is a cheap addition.

Additionally, I have read several posts of individuals learning more about their camera based on the serial number beyond when it was made.  In some cases mentioning the Leica archive.  I would I learn more about this specific camera? Is the Leica archive available online or do I contact Leica directly? Thanks

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2 hours ago, ejg1890 said:

I asked this question in a separate thread before finding this thread so asking the question here as well:


I recently came across a Leica II D in black paint.  I have traced the serial number back to an early production.  The strange thing with the camera is it does have strap lugs on either side of the camera.  I know the Leica II did not come with lugs, at least the early versions. The camera does not appear to be a fake not is it a Leica III as there is no slow shutter speed dial.  Did Leica offer lugs as a customization to cameras?  They appear to be well mounted or what I mean is a cheap addition.

Additionally, I have read several posts of individuals learning more about their camera based on the serial number beyond when it was made.  In some cases mentioning the Leica archive.  I would I learn more about this specific camera? Is the Leica archive available online or do I contact Leica directly? Thanks

You can mail the Leitz Archives via the following e-mail address: classicstore.wetzlar@leica-camera.com. The Leitz Employees would also like to receive some pictures of the camera and/or lens, and of course also the serial numbers of the camera and lens. Ask them if the camera and/or lens was ever returned to the factory. Usually you only get delivery dates (and sometimes also to whom it was delivered) and repair dates, but not what has been done. While there are repair codes in the books, the meaning of those codes is unfortunately not known. 

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8 hours ago, SpotmaticSP said:

You can mail the Leitz Archives via the following e-mail address: classicstore.wetzlar@leica-camera.com. The Leitz Employees would also like to receive some pictures of the camera and/or lens, and of course also the serial numbers of the camera and lens. Ask them if the camera and/or lens was ever returned to the factory. Usually you only get delivery dates (and sometimes also to whom it was delivered) and repair dates, but not what has been done. While there are repair codes in the books, the meaning of those codes is unfortunately not known. 

Thanks. I sent them a request for information today.  Appreciate it. 

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  • 1 month later...

I present to you a Leica IA that was rechromed somewhere about 1936 or after (the date of the Elmar lens) by a third party. According to Leitz the camera was shipped on the 10th of May, 1927 to Calderoni & Társa in Budapest (a well-known photo store). 

It still retains most of the original details, but it was apparently also re-engraved (the engraving is of a very high quality though!). Some of the original details include:
- Feathered, low profile knobs
- Flat screw on the A/R lever
- First version of the baseplate lock
- Original coarse vulcanite (still uncracked!) with holes for the infinity lock.
- Top plate is held by four screws,

The mount does not have the "O".

I have used my Leica I model C (do not have another A) for the comparison photos.

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On 10/26/2020 at 10:42 PM, jerzy said:

yes, indeed they are...However if done at Leitz than on special order, rather then I think that it was done by third party using Leica parts. One example of such re-conversion (Rückbau), 3 digit Elmax will be a subject of one of next articles. Is ist possible to identify such re-conversion?  In many cases yes, knowing which parts were used in production for original, non-converted camera

I bet not....   people were more inclined, as they are now.... to move forward with tech. An example is the phone now...people want tomorrows phone today. Although I can see slowly where this is changing:-)  they want yesterdays' phone today now. But with Cameras in the 20's and 30's...I think people wanted advancement and the ease that it offered. 

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