Topic: help with leica camera

[Chalky]

Hi all, I am after some help.

I had the classic "can you tell me what this camera is worth" the other day, only to be nicely surprised when the photo was a nice 1936 Leica!

My knowledge stops at the point of knowing Leica cameras are excellent craftmanship. I am yet to hold the camera and lenses (I will see it properly soon) to check for clear lenses etc, all I know at the moment is that it was given to his grandfather in Germany in 1936 and is in relatively good condition.

I know that there is very little information here, but does anyone know anything about this model? and can anyone suggest a good place to get it valued, obviously would not want to risk ebay etc. Are there specialist leica dealers in the UK? Is it possible to put a ballpark value with this little info?

If he's got it right I think it has 3 lenses and a leather case.

thank you for anything you may be able to tell me. I will add more info as I have it.

[SLVR]

looks like a leica IIIa (I have one myself) The lens is a little weird though. They usually came with a Sumar 50mm lens. If yours is in fact one, make sure to check for scratches on the front element. The glass is very soft, i mean physically soft.

They dont go for as much as an M series. between 300-700 typically. Someone can correct me on that but Ive seen them around that price. With lens also.

You can check the serial number to see the actual model, then start googling!

You can search leica screwmount, Barnack Leica, or LTM leicas.

[Chalky]

Thank you. it says No. 139083 on the top, googling that makes it look like a model III too from here:
http://leicaclub.net/leicaclub2001/guide/serial_number/Camera%20Serial%20Number(1).htm

I'll do some more googling myself but knew people here would have useful advice...

cheers, chalky

[Francois]

This seems to use the same shutter as on my grandpa's IC.
You have to remember to always wind the shutter and then set the shutter speed. If you do it the other way, you'll break it.
The shutter speed is set by pulling the wheel and setting the speed. The lever is for rewinding. Don't loose the precious take-up spool.

[charles binns]

I'm pretty sure it's a Leica IIIa as I have one too.  The lens is extended which is why it looks weird - you have to extend it for the lens to focus correctly.

[Francois]

These are folding lenses. They make the camera as thin as possible for transport.
There is a focus lock on these. You lock the focus on the end stop using the thumb lever and then gently rotate the front part. You will feel it becoming loose. Then, you simply push the lens back in the camera.

[Photo_Utopia]

It's either a III or a IIIa (1/1000 top shutter) they are worth depending on condition £200-300 pounds for a standard chrome model.
The lenses are harder to grade the Summar F2 varies depending on condition, but in my opinion has a lovely rendering of scenes.
I'd be interested to see the other lenses, the most comon second lens of the time is the 90mm Elmar F4 which can be a surprisingly good lens....

[JPC]

The serial number says the camera is a 1934 iii body if that helps. Him indoors knows these things 

[sapata]

Yours is quite similar to the one I have apart from the lens (also collapsible).  Mine is the IIIF which apparently is exactly the same as the IIIC, the only difference is the flash (that's why the "F") synchro feature that was quite something at the time it was released. 

[Steven.]

i just sold my 1935 Leica iii with 5cm elmar for $230 (priced low because it needed a CLA badly) if that helps answer your question.

[Late Developer]

I suspect it's a IIIa, too. However, I'm sure a definitive answer could probably be obtained via a posting on:

www.l-camera-forum.com

[Francois]

Just for a pointless fun comparison, here's my grandpa's Leica 1C

[sapata]

Just for a pointless fun comparison, here's my grandpa's Leica 1C

love that viewfinder...

[Chalky]

Thank you all very helpful, especially the guidance on how,to use the shutter! I'll post more pics when I can. Cheers, matt

[Francois]

Just for a pointless fun comparison, here's my grandpa's Leica 1C

love that viewfinder...

It's also got a separate rangefinder that fits in the other cold shoe. The camera doesn't have any flash sync terminals so you have to use open flash if you want to use it at night!