Lucco Posted November 17, 2008 Share #1 Posted November 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I would like to know whether, in your opinion, this camera is a real Leica or a fake: Leica Camera Bildberichter su eBay.it Compatte 35mm, Fotocamere tradizionali, Fotografia e Video I do realize the pictures are a bit small, but I wonder if there's any dead giveaway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 17, 2008 Posted November 17, 2008 Hi Lucco, Take a look here Fake wartime Leica?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted November 17, 2008 Share #2 Posted November 17, 2008 100% Russian copy/fake. I can't read Italian so don't know what the seller is claiming, but I wouldn't even say its worth 102 Euros. Move on! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucco Posted November 17, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted November 17, 2008 I can't quite move on, because I'm the confirmed buyer - well, my father is, in an impulse buy. So, while I instinctively agree it's a fake, I'd like to know what makes you say that with certainty? I'd rather be able to disclaim the purchase with some valid reasons. The seller merely claims it comes with a bag, it's interesting for the wartime engravings, and it's in working condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 17, 2008 Share #4 Posted November 17, 2008 I can't quite move on, because I'm the confirmed buyer - well, my father is, in an impulse buy. So, while I instinctively agree it's a fake, I'd like to know what makes you say that with certainty? I'd rather be able to disclaim the purchase with some valid reasons. The seller merely claims it comes with a bag, it's interesting for the wartime engravings, and it's in working condition. Well, it would be 'interesting for the wartime engravings' if it/they were real, but as its fake they are merely cosmetic and of no 'value'. At best its a novelty item. Why do I say its a fake? Everything is wrong - the finish of the chrome (too shiny), the 'vulcanite' covering, the engravings, the shape/position of the rangefinder/viewfinders..............everything!! You only need look at a photo of a genuine Leica to see the differences. Just retract your bid on the grounds that the seller is misrepresenting the item. They are probably well aware of what it is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alw Posted November 17, 2008 Share #5 Posted November 17, 2008 I have a similar one with "Luftwaffe" engraving. I bought it knowing it was a copy (the seller also sold it as one) and paid 100 USD. Works fine and takes good pictures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 17, 2008 Share #6 Posted November 17, 2008 Here's some info on genuine Leica's Leica German Luftwaffe* WWII It may well take photos, but Russian lens quality is variable, you might get an OK lens, and assuming the camera works then yes its still a useable item. But, if you receive it and find the shutter is broken, the rangefinder isn't working or the lens is no good then you have a pretty much worthless paperweight - I will qualify that further by suggesting that if you want one of the Russian rangefinders then a Zorki or Kiev is a much better bet. I have a Zorki 4K and Jupiter lens which are - for the £13 paid - superb, although rarely used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 17, 2008 Share #7 Posted November 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Interesting other items for sale by this vendor. Cornflake card collections... Well, if one pays 100$ for a Luftwaffe Leica, it is not even worth asking if it is a fake. What would a genuine one be worth today? 10.000 $ ? More? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 17, 2008 Share #8 Posted November 17, 2008 Interesting other items for sale by this vendor. Cornflake card collections...Well, if one pays 100$ for a Luftwaffe Leica, it is not even worth asking if it is a fake. What would a genuine one be worth today? 10.000 $ ? More? If it sounds too good to be true............ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryzet Posted November 17, 2008 Share #9 Posted November 17, 2008 if it has bildberichter written on it, it must be a real bildberichter-wartime-leica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 17, 2008 Share #10 Posted November 17, 2008 100% Russian copy/fake. I can't read Italian so don't know what the seller is claiming, but I wouldn't even say its worth 102 Euros. Move on! Undoubtly - guaranteed fake - but... the case COULD even be original... let's give 50 Euros for an original case.. ... so 50 Euros for a camera that maybe is even working, well can be worth for use or display... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 17, 2008 Share #11 Posted November 17, 2008 Erroneous post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 17, 2008 Share #12 Posted November 17, 2008 The camera is an obvious fake. These two books list known Fl. numbers, delivery numbers and S/No.'s of Leica cameras and lenses issued to German Wehhrmacht in WW2 and also illustrate genuine engravings and embossings. James Lager Dott. Luigi Cane And here is a typical Luftwaffe IIIb listed in the books Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 17, 2008 Share #13 Posted November 17, 2008 oops! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 18, 2008 Share #14 Posted November 18, 2008 if it has bildberichter written on it, it must be a real bildberichter-wartime-leica This is not a leica it is a REAL FAKE ! including the ever ready case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
someonenameddavid Posted November 18, 2008 Share #15 Posted November 18, 2008 Just look at the _nasty_screws_ on the bottom plate and you will see that the nasty party that made them was Soviet and not the other nasty party. Incidentally E.Leitz & Co provided a way out of Germany for its Jewish employees before WWII and is to be commended. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostromo Posted November 19, 2008 Share #16 Posted November 19, 2008 A poor fake. No Leica ever left the Wetzlar factory with those top plate engravings; the chrome is all wrong (too shiny); the screws on the body are in the wrong places; the covering looks wrong...etc etc. Regards, N. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona!d Posted November 20, 2008 Share #17 Posted November 20, 2008 With this the camera becomes an original and a shining star in every photographica collection:rolleyes: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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