Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The other day I walked by a jewellery store with a most curious old black enamel Leica in the window, priced at A$990 (US$620). Pressing my nose against the glass I looked at the top plate and saw the serial number: 7840. Wow! I thought, that must be from the 1920's. However on closer inspection some things appeared not quite right. With that serial number it should have been a Model I, which with its built-in rangefinder it definitely was not. And the attached red scale Elmar 50 SN#1048091 was from 1952. I initially dismissed it as a fake, but then got to thinking. It appears in most respects to be a Model II, so was this a factory conversion? Here are some of its attributes: - --The black enamel on the top is in very good condition, but there is brassing on the bottom plate. There is no evidence of the serial number being tampered with. - --The top engraving includes "Germany" on the last line, which none of my books indicate was done prior to WWII. - --It has the diopter adjustment on the rangefinder eyepiece which is, as far as I can tell, not a feature on the II, but introduced in the IIIa. - --The rangefinder and viewfinder are more separated rather than closer together as on the IIIc onwards. - --Shutter speeds are: Z, 20-1, 30, 40, 60, 100, 200, 500. The shutter seems to be working correctly. The 20-1 implies that at least the knob was aware of the possibility of slow shutter speeds. There is a space on the front of the camera for the slow shutter speed knob, but it is covered with vulcanite, in the style of a IIc. - --Misc: the accessory shoe is held by three screws, there are no strap lugs, and the film counter is not ratcheted (apparently that was introduced in the IIIc). What is this little beast and does its serial number (assuming it is real) add value? I am interested in this camera primarily for collector value rather than as a user. I use my Dad's IIIf so I don't really need another user LTM. The Elmar is in need of some work the diaphram is very stiff and the diaphram lever is partially snapped off. Can't comment on the glass condition. I know some LUGgers have raved about the red scale Elmar so it could be worthwhile getting it serviced as a user. What would you do? Mark Viehman Melbourne, Australia