Identifying my 1930s Leica's

[Becca D.]

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I inherited 2 Leica Cameras that I wanted to have cleaned and serviced but the Leica people said they were too old - that they don't service my cameras. I suspect they were from the 1930s as I believe they were my grandfathers.   Engraved on top is Leica - in script - and DRP then Ernst Leitz then Gmbh Wetzler Germany.  They both have Nr. numbers engraved on top.  Would someone please tell me how to identify the model and date and then give me suggestions on how/where to care for them. Thank you

Edited January 4, 2024 by Becca D.
grammar

[jaapv]

There are plenty of companies servicing so-called Barnack Leica's .There is a list on the forum. Please post photographs of them. including ones showing the serial numbers. We will identify them for you.

[Becca D.]

bad photos - but the required info.  Also, have a booklet in Italian as well - don't know why, we don't speak Italian. On the back of the English booklet is a stamp of where he bought the camera (I am guessing) - Krauss-Photo, Stuttgart-N, Konigstr. 66

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[Anbaric]

Each is a Leica IIIf.

http://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Leica_IIIf

Here is the manual in English:

https://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_if_iif_iiif/leica_if_iif_iiif.htm

One good place to send them for service in the US is DAG:

https://www.dagcamera.com

Can you post photos of the lenses with the caps off from the front?

Edited January 4, 2024 by Anbaric

[sandro]

Correct, they are both from 1954.

Lex

[Anbaric]

Both are the 'red dial' variant and 687892 (at least) appears to have a self-timer (consistent with its serial number). Photos from the front without the cases would be useful. 720260 is from a batch that apparently includes some 'Esercito Italiano' (Italian military) cameras, though the wiki is a bit hard to interpret here. Is there by any chance an additional 'E.I. *' engraving on the back of the top plate, to the right of the flash sync socket? You could take a photo of it from the back without the case. This would make it rare and collectable. If so, you may also want to post a photo of the Italian booklet.

Edited January 5, 2024 by Anbaric

[Becca D.]

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These images are for the 720260 camera

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[Becca D.]

These are the images for the 687892 

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[Anbaric]

Both look like the standard version of the red dial self timer variant.

https://cameraquest.com/3frdst.htm

The broken 'vulcanite' (hard rubber) body covering can be replaced with modern leatherette when it is serviced.

The text that is written on the bezel of each lens isn't in focus in the first image, but you can easily look up the model name and lens serial number here:

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Serial_Number_Links_for_Leica_Cameras_and_Lenses

See for example this book (from p65):

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/images/3/3e/Leica-puts-pocket-book.pdf

These are of course interchangeable lens cameras, and a wide variety of lenses can be fitted. The lens in the second image is the commonest 50mm lens for screwmount Leicas, the f/3.5 Elmar.

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Elmar_(I)_f%3D_5_cm_1:3.5

The serial number on the Elmar can be hard to read - this is where it is:

https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/213686-differences-between-ltm-5cm-elmar-versions/#comment-2309437

The other one looks like something faster, maybe a Summitar.

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Main_Page#Screw-thread_Lenses_&_Camera_Accessories

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summitar_f%3D_5_cm_1:2

If you want to use the cameras after they have been serviced, it's well worth reading the manual, especially the film loading and unloading instructions that start on p27. Note that you need to trim the leader of your film to the profile shown on p29, which is longer and thinner than is standard today, or you risk jamming the mechanism. Vintage and modern film cutting templates are available, but many of us just use scissors. Cut between rather than through the sprocket holes, leaving about 23 'unpaired' as shown in the figure, and round off the corner.

Edited January 5, 2024 by Anbaric

[willeica]

9 hours ago, Anbaric said:

The other one looks like something faster, maybe a Summitar.

 

Either Summitar or Summicron, the name will be on the front ring. The lenses need to be extended and turned clockwise to lock before use. I agree with everything else that has been said here. These are from the 1950s and not the 1930s. A guy came up to me at a meeting recently and said that he had Leicas like Rommel's, implying that they were wartime, but when he eventually sent me photos of the two cameras they were two postwar fs. The guy had seen a photo of Rommel with a Leica and had assumed his were the same.

William 

[andybarton]

To be fair, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I would struggle and I used to own a 111f.

[willeica]

10 minutes ago, andybarton said:

To be fair, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I would struggle and I used to own a 111f.

That is exactly the point I was making. It is actually a 'heritage plus point' that people can look at a I Model A from 1925 and still see the same lineage in an M11 from 2024, 99 years later. The 100th anniversary of the Leica comes up next year.

William 

[andybarton]

There was a bit of a leap in 1954, but in essence I agree with you.

 

In the same way that you can see a VW Type 1 in a Porsche 911, even today.

[Thomas Krueger]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:40 PM, Becca D. said:

I inherited 2 Leica Cameras that I wanted to have cleaned and serviced but the Leica people said they were too old - that they don't service my cameras.

Ask http://www.zoomservice.net/  or Zoom Service at https://www.riparazionefotocamere.com/contattaci  Bologna/Italy for a service.