CuriousGranddaughter Posted December 16, 2008 Share #1 Posted December 16, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) We have recently come into possession of what research has suggested is a Leica III F Red Dial with Self Timer. This beautiful camera had previously belonged to my late photography buff grandfather and it is in excellent condition. The first three digits of the serial number are 696. The lens says "Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar Summaron f=3.5 cm 1:35 ." I have been unable to find a serial number anywhere on the lens. There is also an original leather case in fair condition. I have been able to find some good information of the camera itself (before hitting the internet all I knew was that it was a Leica) but I haven't been able to find out much about the lens. Also, it has been difficult to determine how much these elements might be worth together here in the States. If anyone could help me out by sharing some information about this equipment and its value, I would be very appreciative. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 16, 2008 Posted December 16, 2008 Hi CuriousGranddaughter, Take a look here Help with info and value. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
LeonardT Posted December 16, 2008 Share #2 Posted December 16, 2008 Hello Granddaughter, Your IIIf was made in 1954 and is a very popular screw mount Leica. It is not rare but the value is determined by condition. My guess anywhere between $400 if in poor condition to $600 in very nice condition. There is no way to tell without looking at it. The 3.5cm f3.5 Summaron is a very nice lens but also common. The serial number should be located on the inner most black ring on the front of the lens. Typical value for a very nice one is about $250. The case if nice between $20 - $50. Again all these pieces need to be seen by someone familiar with the value of these older leicas. Good Luck, Len Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeonardT Posted December 16, 2008 Share #3 Posted December 16, 2008 A little more info on the lens. The 3.5cm f3.5 Summaron is a wide angle 35mm lens that Leica made in screw mount version between 1949 and 1960. They made 80,000 of these lenses so you can see it's pretty common. They also made this lens between 1954 and 1960 in the newer bayonet mount for the model M3 and also M2, M4 before upgrading the lens to f2.8. Len . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted December 16, 2008 Share #4 Posted December 16, 2008 The camera may well be of greater value to you as a memento of your grandfather than as a sales item. I would also like to point out that if in good condition, the camera is also a perfectly viable user camera. And the best way to preserve one of these pieces of intricate machinery is actually to use it occasionally, or at least to exercise the grears and shutter curtains. Unless this is done, lubricants will stiffen and solidify. It may of course have been lying unused for quite some time, so it might be a good idea to have a competent camera technician check it. The old man from the Age of Screw-Thread Leicas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted December 21, 2008 Share #5 Posted December 21, 2008 Seems to be a buyers' rather than a sellers' market at the moment with common Leica screw cameras and lenses and they can stick on dealers' shelves for months. For a realistic valuation might be best to check current Ebay prices. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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