romanus53 Posted February 9 Share #21 Â Posted February 9 Advertisement (gone after registration) Looks like most if the old ones were converted or upgraded Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Hi romanus53, Take a look here How old can you go?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
SpotmaticSP Posted February 9 Share #22 Â Posted February 9 From what I've seen in my own bodies, I guess many cameras were NOT just converted and NOT just upgraded, but simply replaced with a new one, with the old serial number engraved. Nice examples in this thread, by the way! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpotmaticSP Posted February 9 Share #23  Posted February 9 2 hours ago, Al Brown said: Mine is a four digit Ia from 1928 upgraded to IIa somewhere in the 50s already in DBP times. Inside serial matches the outside one. Oddly, the camera is super glossy black paint but here on these images it looks matte... 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! Super, super nice but don't be surprised to discover that nothing of the original camera exists in this one, only the serial number. 🙂  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted February 11 Share #24  Posted February 11 I have 8 leicas from 1927, I think this # 5850 is my favorite.  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! 6 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/419118-how-old-can-you-go/?do=findComment&comment=5755402'>More sharing options...
willeica Posted February 11 Share #25  Posted February 11 (edited) On 2/8/2025 at 5:11 PM, nitroplait said: Intersting release button William. Is that original? I live in Copenhagen, "Foto Magasinet" is kind of of a generic name. Would you happen to have any more details? a postal code perhaps? I don't have any other address details. Well spotted with the infinity knob. That is obviously a repair. Some other 'Modifieds' below. 1671 from 1926 , which I bought because I have 1661. It is basically converted to a IIa/f , possibly in two jumps 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! 2958 from 1927 which was converted to a I Model C Non Standardised. It has the last 3 digits engraved on the lens mount , which has ended up at about 9 O'Clock, not the usual 11 or 7 O'Clock.  Compur B Dial Set No 6001 from 1928 with Dublin engraving.      I Model A 14225 from 1929 with an interchangeable Dallmeyer lens also done in 1929 (by Sinclair), which is the earliest interchangeable lens modification which I have. No 1671 above was made interchangeable at a much later date. It is also one of the earliest matching number on the lens modifications that I have seen.  So, therefore, some old modified cameras which still retain some of their original features. William Edited February 11 by willeica 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2958 from 1927 which was converted to a I Model C Non Standardised. It has the last 3 digits engraved on the lens mount , which has ended up at about 9 O'Clock, not the usual 11 or 7 O'Clock.  Compur B Dial Set No 6001 from 1928 with Dublin engraving.      I Model A 14225 from 1929 with an interchangeable Dallmeyer lens also done in 1929 (by Sinclair), which is the earliest interchangeable lens modification which I have. No 1671 above was made interchangeable at a much later date. It is also one of the earliest matching number on the lens modifications that I have seen.  So, therefore, some old modified cameras which still retain some of their original features. William ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419118-how-old-can-you-go/?do=findComment&comment=5755408'>More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 11 Share #26  Posted February 11 28 minutes ago, willeica said: 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!   So, therefore, some old modified cameras which still retain some of their original features. William The 4" frame mask is very interesting! I have seen pictures of a few different types of viewfinder masks before, William, but were those fitted by Wetzlar or could they be added by any competent repairman? Philip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted February 11 Share #27  Posted February 11 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) On 2/7/2025 at 8:04 PM, alan mcfall said: 1925  Leica No. 226  Continuation """But returned to the factory on Sept. 29, 1930 for upgrades (2,15,16), and returned again on March 15, 1938 for more upgrades (4,8). Ended up like a black IIIa ( 1/1000sec). Should be 100 years old later this year.""" Beyond the repair book notes above, the earlier history seems as follows: 1) Serial number assigned Oct. 1924. Just a request or an allocation of a batch for future planned production. 2) Top plate engraved with serial number, Between Nov. 24,1924 to Dec. 19, 1924. Ulf Richter book states this lot was numbered, 126-499. 3) Actual assembly, Dec. 1924 -Jan 1925. 4) Shipped from Wetzlar on Feb. 19, 1925. To Hilgers, Bonn. I presume this to be: Hans Hilgers, Scientific Instruments, Bonn, Germany. See photo below of 1924 postcard from this company. 5) Leipzig fair launching the Leica, March 1-7, 1925.    Some very early Leica's were shipped to specific users or technical organizations for feedback. ( Beta testing?) Was that the case with this camera to Hilgers? Curt Emmermann received his "test" camera also during this time. 6) I plan a 100 year celebration (for the camera, not me) to commence Feb. 19 2025!    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! Edited February 11 by alan mcfall spelling 5 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/419118-how-old-can-you-go/?do=findComment&comment=5755427'>More sharing options...
willeica Posted February 11 Share #28  Posted February 11 8 hours ago, pippy said: The 4" frame mask is very interesting! I have seen pictures of a few different types of viewfinder masks before, William, but were those fitted by Wetzlar or could they be added by any competent repairman? Philip. These were all done in Britain, Philip. The Sinclair Dallmeyer conversions were done by people who were more than competent and they were doing these conversions before the folks in Wetzlar got around to doing the same thing. The Ross conversions had a hood which fitted over the viewfinder.  In this case, Wetzlar copied what had been done already in Britain. 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!  The whole story is here. British Lenses on Early Leicas.pdf William 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  The whole story is here. British Lenses on Early Leicas.pdf William ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419118-how-old-can-you-go/?do=findComment&comment=5755565'>More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 11 Share #29 Â Posted February 11 William! Thank you for the reply to my question but even greater thanks for posting the link for the PDF discussing Early British Lenses; absolutely fascinating stories and I enjoyed your article enormously! Best wishes, Philip. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted February 11 Share #30  Posted February 11 43 minutes ago, pippy said: William! Thank you for the reply to my question but even greater thanks for posting the link for the PDF discussing Early British Lenses; absolutely fascinating stories and I enjoyed your article enormously! Best wishes, Philip. You can also listen to me talking about this on YouTube. These conversions really were a first or the oldest of their kind, if you wish.  William 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 11 Share #31 Â Posted February 11 4 hours ago, willeica said: You can also listen to me talking about this on YouTube. These conversions really were a first or the oldest of their kind, if you wish... Thank you again, William. I have only now had a chance to listen to the clip without interruption(!) and it was just as fascinating as your article which was posted earlier. Good Stuff! Philip. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted February 14 Share #32  Posted February 14 1912 UR -Replica 1925 0 Series - Replica 1930 1A hockey stick (awaiting CLA and repair slot with Alan Starkie) with 11 o'clock Elmar 5cm 1931 1C (standard) with 11 o'clock Standard Elmar 50. OK camera but Elmar not that good due to a fair bit of cleaning marks on front element. When I do use the 1C, I normally mount the 1932 Hektor off my great uncle's 1934 Model III, which is considerably better than the Elmar. The Hektor has been rebuilt with a front element polish, which was a great improvement in image quality. 1934 Model III (ex Great Uncle) 1935 Model II (ex Grandfather) missing its 7 o'clock 50 Elmar, which left on father's Paterson enlarger and that believed thrown away. 1934 250FF Reporter (ex John Foster Brigham of Bridlington Seaside Photographers), with 1933 Nickel collapsible Summar (for last 6 years with Malcolm Taylor for repair). 1937 IIIa with 1937 chrome Summar - all bought originally from Wallace Heaton of Bond Street (I have the receipt) Wilson 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted February 14 Share #33  Posted February 14 6 hours ago, wlaidlaw said: 1912 UR -Replica 1925 0 Series - Replica 1930 1A hockey stick (awaiting CLA and repair slot with Alan Starkie) with 11 o'clock Elmar 5cm 1931 1C (standard) with 11 o'clock Standard Elmar 50. OK camera but Elmar not that good due to a fair bit of cleaning marks on front element. When I do use the 1C, I normally mount the 1932 Hektor off my great uncle's 1934 Model III, which is considerably better than the Elmar. The Hektor has been rebuilt with a front element polish, which was a great improvement in image quality. 1934 Model III (ex Great Uncle) 1935 Model II (ex Grandfather) missing its 7 o'clock 50 Elmar, which left on father's Paterson enlarger and that believed thrown away. 1934 250FF Reporter (ex John Foster Brigham of Bridlington Seaside Photographers), with 1933 Nickel collapsible Summar (for last 6 years with Malcolm Taylor for repair). 1937 IIIa with 1937 chrome Summar - all bought originally from Wallace Heaton of Bond Street (I have the receipt) Wilson The replicas are from much later, of course, Wilson. If you had a genuine original UR-Leica, you could perhaps clear a 100 million (choose your currency) by selling it. On the 0 series front, No 112 will go for auction in Wetzlar next June. I will be at the auction which is part of the Leica 100 celebrations. I would expect that it will clear 3 million at least. There will also be an LFI book launched in Wetzlar in June with 100 stories for 100 years of Leica. One of my articles will be going into that. Look out also for the special Leica 100 edition of Amateur Photographer magazine which will appear in early March. I have done an article on Leica Society international for that and I have also assisted John Wade with photos and other material for his articles for the special edition. I gave him some photos I took of Barnack's personal handwritten notebooks for that and I hope they will appear. Those with good eyesight and good German should enjoy seeing them. William  6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrapbook Posted February 16 Share #34  Posted February 16 Yesterday I bought this beautiful Leica I from 1930 at a photo-exhibition in Frankfurt. Number is 34450 0r 34400. Claus 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! 3 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/419118-how-old-can-you-go/?do=findComment&comment=5758398'>More sharing options...
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