annaltw Posted August 29, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have what I believe is an M series Leica (probably made between 1930's to 1950's). I have found so far that the film type indicator should be located on either the back of the camera or within the winding knob. However, this Leica camera I am looking at has nothing on the camera indicating that it has a film type indicator. Anyone familiar with what type of camera I might have and where is the film type indicator located? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 29, 2009 Posted August 29, 2009 Hi annaltw, Take a look here film type indicator - new to Leicas. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted August 29, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 29, 2009 Welcome to the Forum! It sounds like a Leica II or III Can you post its serial number or a photo and people here will be able to help you Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaltw Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted August 29, 2009 I am not interested in selling, plus technically the camera belongs to a good friend of mine. It was found - believe it or not lying on top of a garbage can in NY. Neither of us have ever used it before and this is the first time I have looked at it. Not even sure if the shutter is working properly or not. The serial number is a 6 digit number beginning with 2. It says Leica D.R.P to left of serial number. The lense is a Summitar lense F2 to F12.5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted August 29, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 29, 2009 I have what I believe is an M series Leica (probably made between 1930's to 1950's). I have found so far that the film type indicator should be located on either the back of the camera or within the winding knob. However, this Leica camera I am looking at has nothing on the camera indicating that it has a film type indicator. Anyone familiar with what type of camera I might have and where is the film type indicator located? M series Leicas were made from 1954 onwards and all had a film type indicator on the back door. The only screwmount Leicas with an indicator in the winding knob were the If, IIf and IIIf, made from 1951 to 1957. The later screwmount Leica, the IIIg, had the indicator on the back, just like the M-series. Since the wind knob could be retrofitted to earlier Leica models, it is possible to find it on earlier cameras too but, it is not very common. If you have a Leica camera without any type of a film indicator, it can be a camera as old as model I from the late 1920's or, as 'recent' as a Leica IIIc from the late 1940's. As Andy mentions - post a serial number and you will have dozens of replies as to the vintage of the camera. Or, click on this link - Leica Screw Mount Serial #'s Sorted by Number and you will find a serial number list. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted August 29, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 29, 2009 ...... The serial number is a 6 digit number beginning with 2. It says Leica D.R.P to left of serial number. The lense is a Summitar lense F2 to F12.5 Allright then...... The year of manufacture is a four digit number, beginning with 1. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaltw Posted August 29, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted August 29, 2009 Hi, Thanks for the info - according to the fantastic serial number chart - the camera seems to be a iiib model instead of the M series. I found pictures and it looks exactly like the one I have. However, I also found instruction manuals at Welcome to Orphancameras, camera manuals but the instructions still don't mention how to set the film type. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted August 29, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The indicator is just a reminder to you as to what film is in the camera. It has no other function. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted August 29, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 29, 2009 annaltw, Welcome. If it's colour or black & white it doesn't matter to any film camera. You just have to remember what you have in the camera at any time! That was the purpose of a film type indicator. By the film type, I presume you mean the film speed. Before about 1975, no Leica had a light meter inside, you have to use an external meter, and set the film speed on the meter. Most people used a "rule of thumb" called the "Sunny 16 Rule" which gives a reasonably accurate way of making exposures that can be printed! Look it up on this forum, there is plenty of advice about it. Have a go, you'll find it addictive! Regards John Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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