Found at last! My Dad’s 1939 Leica camera.

[pbcsky]

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Hello, I was wondering if I could adapt my Dad’s leica lenses from a camera he bought in 1939 with a digital Leica I would purchase in 2024? I’m nearing 80 myself so not even sure I could manipulate it properly (arthritis in hand) and I realize many of the features of a newer Leica would not be possible with these lenses. I’d love to take photos through lenses he looked through but also wonder if is it worth it if indeed it is possible? He has three lenses. If you came across a kit like this what would you do with it! Thanks for any help you can give me.

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[alan mcfall]

Can you show the serial number of the camera, it is at least 1945, probably later.  The lens that you show is 1952.

[pbcsky]

Ok! I think this photo shows the #? It was either 1939 or early fifties! Your sharp eye is appreciated!

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[alan mcfall]

General factory record (Band 1) shows this camera was made in 1952/53 as part of requested batch 615001-650000., IIIF with red dial Kontaktzahlen, contact numbers. If needed, an email to Wetzlar would likely show the actual shipment date. Actual delivery date to a customer could be a little later, definitely  not 1938.  Other lenses? regards

[Sandokan]

To your question, yes you can buy an adaptor for Leica Thread Mount -> to -> Leica M Mount. They come in different flavours to bring up the correct frame lines (50/75, 35/135 and 28/90). Many places to buy them from, inc. eBay but get a good one like this or Light Lens Lab or Urth. 

https://shop.cameraquest.com/leica-screw-mount-adapters/ 

After that you can buy adaptors for M to any modern mirrorless camera such as Nikon Z, Sony, Leica SLThen 

If I came across this kit, I would send camera for a Clean, Lubricate, Adjust (CLA), and probably the lenses too but only after using them on a digital camera. Then buy some film and use it. 

[nykv]

Do you already have any a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses? If so, which model is it? Starting from this bit of info, we could tell you about lens adaptors. 

If I were you and having a mirrorless, I'd keep the 35mm Summaron and sell this Leica camera body + the two other lenses, because the 35mm is the easiest to use. If you do not have a mirrorless don't trade in your father's Leica gear for a one, because the Leica is worth more as it is (without a CLA) than second hand mirrorless body.

[nitroplait]

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5 hours ago, pbcsky said:

Hello, I was wondering if I could adapt my Dad’s leica lenses from a camera he bought in 1939 with a digital Leica I would purchase in 2024?

You can adapt the lenses to any current digital mirrorless camera (with full frame sensor or smaller) however only with a full frame sensor will you maintain the original field-of-view of the lens.

Unless you have excess money to burn, you would probably want to look at something other than Leica as a mirrorless digital platform for your lenses. I am personally using a Nikon Z.

[LocalHero1953]

If I came across a camera and lenses like this that belonged to my father then, assuming I had some younger generations in the family to inherit, I would certainly not sell it, but would have the body and lenses cleaned and serviced - they look like they need it! Then they are in good condition ready for you to use and for whoever you pass it onto, along with its history. I'm not familiar with the appropriate USA repairers, but plenty of people here are. 

Others have responded fully about adapters for the lenses.

[Topsy]

I have a 1958 35mm Summaron f3.5 which works perfectly on my M9s with the Lieca L to M adapter. I did try to use a cheaper Chinese copy adapter (it was easier to find than a Leica one) and although the lens worked there was an issue that the mount was a bit tight and the distance indicator didn't sit at the 12 o'clock position so as soon as I could find a Leica adapter I did.

As others have said I wouldn't sell the set I'd get them CLAd and use them/keep them to pass on to my Grandkids.

Edited January 8 by Topsy

[pbcsky]

8 hours ago, alan mcfall said:

General factory record (Band 1) shows this camera was made in 1952/53 as part of requested batch 615001-650000., IIIF with red dial Kontaktzahlen, contact numbers. If needed, an email to Wetzlar would likely show the actual shipment date. Actual delivery date to a customer could be a little later, definitely  not 1938.  Other lenses? regards

Alan, thank you! Wow! It is unbelievable I could even find out the delivery date. The other lenses are an Elmar f-9cm and a Summitar f-5cm. 

[dkCambridgeshire]

10 hours ago, pbcsky said:

Hello, I was wondering if I could adapt my Dad’s leica lenses from a camera he bought in 1939 with a digital Leica I would purchase in 2024? I’m nearing 80 myself so not even sure I could manipulate it properly (arthritis in hand) and I realize many of the features of a newer Leica would not be possible with these lenses. I’d love to take photos through lenses he looked through but also wonder if is it worth it if indeed it is possible? He has three lenses. If you came across a kit like this what would you do with it! Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

Ref the THREE lenses: If they're functional (smooth focus and smooth lens diaphragm, i.e., no stiffness) ...  and the lens elements are clear without excessive dust, haze or fungus, the lenses would probably be usable without going to the expense of professional cleaning / servicing. The front and rear elements can be carefully cleaned by yourself using a lens tissue or micro fibre cloth with a drop of, e.g., ECLIPSE cleaning fluid – far cheaper than sending away to a lens technician for a full CLA. Don't assume that because the lenses are old they need a full CLA. Same apples to the camera – it does not necessarily require a full CLA. Test the camera yourself. If all the shutter speeds appear to be working OK would be a lot cheaper to put a film through the Leica IIIf camera than to consider adapting the lenses to a full frame digital camera 

However, if you only want to produce digital images with the three lenses, those lenses can be easily adapted for use with any full frame mirrorless camera. Leica screw thread (LTM) to Sony FE (Sony E) adapters are easily sourced, e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381822197180. And a  Sony A7 FF digital camera can be sourced for $reasonable. You'd need to experiment with a Sony A7 (or any other full frame mirrorless camera) and learn how to process the resultant digital images.

dunk 

 

[pbcsky]

3 hours ago, Topsy said:

I have a 1958 35mm Summaron f3.5 which works perfectly on my M9s with the Lieca L to M adapter. I did try to use a cheaper Chinese copy adapter (it was easier to find than a Leica one) and although the lens worked there was an issue that the mount was a bit tight and the distance indicator didn't sit at the 12 o'clock position so as soon as I could find a Leica adapter I did.

As others have said I wouldn't sell the set I'd get them CLAd and use them/keep them to pass on to my Grandkids.

Thank you, Topsy! It is good to know that it is possible! I wasn’t sure exactly what CLAD meant but “cleaning” did come to mind and then another responder literally spelled it out for the ol’girl! Appreciate your response.

[pbcsky]

3 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

If I came across a camera and lenses like this that belonged to my father then, assuming I had some younger generations in the family to inherit, I would certainly not sell it, but would have the body and lenses cleaned and serviced - they look like they need it! Then they are in good condition ready for you to use and for whoever you pass it onto, along with its history. I'm not familiar with the appropriate USA repairers, but plenty of people here are. 

Others have responded fully about adapters for the lenses.

Haha! They do need it! I’m afraid my younger generations are not very interested as their phones are their cameras and they have said that once I meet my maker there’ll be no more good family photos!

[pbcsky]

5 hours ago, nitroplait said:

You can adapt the lenses to any current digital mirrorless camera (with full frame sensor or smaller) however only with a full frame sensor will you maintain the original field-of-view of the lens.

Unless you have excess money to burn, you would probably want to look at something other than Leica as a mirrorless digital platform for your lenses. I am personally using a Nikon Z.

Thanks! I am so amazed I’ll have this choice of using one or more of these lenses. I’m not sure yet but love that it may be a choice. I have heard nice things about that Nikon Z.  I do not have $$ to burn but have ALWAYS wanted a Leica camera like my Dad’s. I did buy a Fujifilm x100t when that came out! As close as I got!

[pbcsky]

7 hours ago, nykv said:

Do you already have any a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses? If so, which model is it? Starting from this bit of info, we could tell you about lens adaptors. 

If I were you and having a mirrorless, I'd keep the 35mm Summaron and sell this Leica camera body + the two other lenses, because the 35mm is the easiest to use. If you do not have a mirrorless don't trade in your father's Leica gear for a one, because the Leica is worth more as it is (without a CLA) than second hand mirrorless body.

Thank you for your response! My main camera has not been a mirirorless one. It is a Canon EOS 5DR which is now very heavy for me to handle easily and using a tripod with the 180mm macro or even the 85mm should be filmed as a marketing promotion as one good reason to buy a lighter mirrorless kit!  I do have very nice Canon lenses which have served me well.

I like the idea of being able to keep the 35mm Summaron. Maybe selling the body and other two lenses could help me towards the proceeds to actually buy a newer Leica to use? Where does one go to do that? Thanks very much for your response.

PS. I bought A Fujifilm x100t when they came out and did love that camera and the simplicity of fixed lens. The menu system was a bit of a nightmare for me, though. I gave that camera recently to my grand niece to try out.

[pbcsky]

49 minutes ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

Ref the THREE lenses: If they're functional (smooth focus and smooth lens diaphragm, i.e., no stiffness) ...  and the lens elements are clear without excessive dust, haze or fungus, the lenses would probably be usable without going to the expense of professional cleaning / servicing. The front and rear elements can be carefully cleaned by yourself using a lens tissue or micro fibre cloth with a drop of, e.g., ECLIPSE cleaning fluid – far cheaper than sending away to a lens technician for a full CLA. Don't assume that because the lenses are old they need a full CLA. Same apples to the camera – it does not necessarily require a full CLA. Test the camera yourself. If all the shutter speeds appear to be working OK would be a lot cheaper to put a film through the Leica IIIf camera than to consider adapting the lenses to a full frame digital camera 

However, if you only want to produce digital images with the three lenses, those lenses can be easily adapted for use with any full frame mirrorless camera. Leica screw thread (LTM) to Sony FE (Sony E) adapters are easily sourced, e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381822197180. And a  Sony A7 FF digital camera can be sourced for $reasonable. You'd need to experiment with a Sony A7 (or any other full frame mirrorless camera) and learn how to process the resultant digital images.

dunk 

 

Dunk, you raise an important point! My film processing days are way over (I used to do it myself) and I would only want to produce digital images in any future kit. The one thing age hasn’t yet affected is my “sit down” digital image processing skills! Your response along with others here in the forum have given me a lot to consider. What a valuable resource you are!

[wlaidlaw]

If you intend to use these LTM lenses on a Leica M Digital, it is important that the LTM to M adapter(s) you get are black coloured. I use Rayqual adapters which are also very accurately made and absolutely parallel (important for optimum performance). The M digital camera bodies have a series of IR sensors on the mount to determine which lens is mounted, from a series of 6 black and white dots on the mount of lenses made after 2006 (some earlier lenses, like my 2006 35/1.5 ASPH Summilux, may have been subsequently modified to "code" them). If you use a chrome or bright aluminium adapter, this can give rise to an error message from the IR detectors which will say something like "no lens detected" and will prevent the camera from operating.

Wilson

 

[pbcsky]

9 hours ago, Sandokan said:

To your question, yes you can buy an adaptor for Leica Thread Mount -> to -> Leica M Mount. They come in different flavours to bring up the correct frame lines (50/75, 35/135 and 28/90). Many places to buy them from, inc. eBay but get a good one like this or Light Lens Lab or Urth. 

https://shop.cameraquest.com/leica-screw-mount-adapters/ 

After that you can buy adaptors for M to any modern mirrorless camera such as Nikon Z, Sony, Leica SLThen 

If I came across this kit, I would send camera for a Clean, Lubricate, Adjust (CLA), and probably the lenses too but only after using them on a digital camera. Then buy some film and use it. 

Thank you, Sandokan! I didn’t know what references to CLA meant! The more I grasp my choices, the clearer I am that digital not film is my only move but how exactly to do that will take some doing! Thanks for your help.

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[pbcsky]

6 minutes ago, wlaidlaw said:

If you intend to use these LTM lenses on a Leica M Digital, it is important that the LTM to M adapter(s) you get are black coloured. I use Rayqual adapters which are also very accurately made and absolutely parallel (important for optimum performance). The M digital camera bodies have a series of IR sensors on the mount to determine which lens is mounted, from a series of 6 black and white dots on the mount of lenses made after 2006 (some earlier lenses, like my 2006 35/1.5 ASPH Summilux, may have been subsequently modified to "code" them). If you use a chrome or bright aluminium adapter, this can give rise to an error message from the IR detectors which will say something like "no lens detected" and will prevent the camera from operating.

Wilson

 

Thank you , Wilson! My word, there are many ways to mess this up “adaptation” up isn’t there?! This forum really helps figure things out.

[TomB_tx]

I'm approaching 80 myself, and have my family's inherited Leica IIIc and Summitar from 1949. I had both serviced years ago which improved the lens performance greatly - the slight haze had affected the image more than I would expect. I also have several Leica lenses (and cameras) from the 1930s that I have used (with adapters) on my digital Leicas and get very nice results. The Rayqual adapters are very good.

I do like to use the old Leicas (like your IIIc) but agree that my stiff hands and aging eyes prefer the M series of Leica.

The Leica M9 was the first digital camera that I really enjoyed using, as I could use it exactly like a film Leica, and it gave amazing results with my old lenses. I recently gave my son my 1955 Leica M3 so he could keep up with his daughters who have discovered film photography. (Of course now I have to process film for all 4 of them.) I'm also going to give him my M9 so he can use it with the same lenses to practice his manual focus and camera settings without using a lot of film, and get instant feedback of results.

The M9 originally had a sensor that would deteriorate with time and humidity (the cover glass glues onto it), but many (like mine) have had the sensor replaced with a newer design, and it is again a solid camera. A good used M9 is probably the least expensive way to get a good usable digital Leica to use with your lenses.

I have also used my old Leica lenses on a Sony A7 with adapters (the A7 is cheap now) and have had some nice results, especially with lenses 50mm & longer. I've used it with 35mm where the central image area can be excellent, but the edges can be blurred with color shifts due to the sensor stack design.

Anyway, congratulations on the Leica & lenses - I hope you enjoy them!