Jump to content

Leica I with Hektor - Super clean or fake/repaint?


echorec

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 58
  • Created
  • Last Reply

OK, seems to me that the issue of this splendid item has been deeply and correctly scrutinized... some uncertainess about the lens, but given that telewatt specifies that even lens barrels could be "revamped", this may explain its oddities (no s/n, standard lens mount, expanded scale).

 

So I think Gunnar can be satisfied: as all the cameras that had servicing/conversions at the factory (and I think this is sure), it must be considered anyway an ORIGINAL, albeit not "in original conditions" ... let'say "bastard, but recognized by his royal family" :) .

Link to post
Share on other sites

no, you could not have seen older Cameras with upgrade to IIIf ....it was only posible to upgrade to a IIIa syn...

 

regards,

Jan

 

 

What I was trying to say that Leica's upgrade program ran in to at least the late 1950's.

As you said the oldest models can't be upgraded beyond a certain point, because of the different size body shells (starting with the IIIc). But it is possible that a very early camera was upgraded maybe 20 years or more after it was made and therefore could contain more modern parts like the shutter speed dial and lens mount on this camera etc. If it was a late conversion they may have simply run out of vintage spares and used newer ones.

Link to post
Share on other sites

All Standard and I could be upgradet to II, III, IIIa and II syn, III syn

and IIIa syn, also all II to IIIa etc., not of course to IIIb or IIIf etc.

And this upgrades were possible also at about 1950 and later,

as you can see above in this thread at #34.

 

str.

Link to post
Share on other sites

It has probably all been said, ....and so expertly.

But, simply stated; we have a 1931 Leica 1, converted to a Standard E, in the early 1950's, (post 1951 due to the use of Nr. symbol.)

...perhaps we would prefer to see a little window, (focus check), at the rear, but all other anomalies are explainable.

As most people have already stated; is a beautiful camera, in "as new" condition, ...it looks unused, since it's conversion, (perhaps and added verification of this point could be made by inspecting the "take-up-spool", .....unused spools tend to be unreceptive to a film leader.)

 

Alan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for sharing your expertise so generously! Very much appreciated! :)

 

Let me know if you want me to check any more details or if you want close-up pictures of anything on the camera.

 

Best regards,

 

Gunnar

Link to post
Share on other sites

Here you go Olaf:

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!

Link to post
Share on other sites

The camera got a new cover with vulkanite. Therefore you cannot see

the window for focus check.

 

str.

 

two posibilities:

1. as str. stated

2. there were also rebiults by using a complete new body,

PS thanks for the picture.

 

NO

Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe St|efan's explaination to be the most likely Olaf, since most post 1950 "body" replacement conversions, of this type, would likely utilize a IIIa body, and therefore require a blanking plate over the slow speed hole.

 

A simple way of checking this point, would be if Gunnar, would remove the Hektor lens, and view the rear film plate, at the appropriatte shutter setting, ( .....looking for a blanked off hole.)

 

Alan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Gunner,

 

The mystery deepens,

.....is it impossible, (or just unlikely), that a Leica Standard 1 ©, with the early # 62986, would have been produced originally without the viewing window?.

(.This was a Standardised C, (since it is post #55404 manufacture), so it wouldn't need the window.

 

.......although, since the lens flange does not have its customery O engraving, ......it could re-enforce the new body argument.

 

Alan

Link to post
Share on other sites

It came to my mind that Laney, and Van Hasbroek too, maybe, wrote clearly that in the first years after WWII, a time in which any industrial raw material was scarce in Germany, Leitz assembled many cameras making use of spare parts available in their warehouse : this too can explain the oddities we observe in this item, and is another sign that the factory retrofitting with the 2nd s/n could indeed be dated to end of '40s... if so, the condition of the painting is anyway astonishingly good.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...