Dunk
Established
This is the "incomplete' military Leica M3 outfit recently acquired. TTBOMK no data is available as to the number of actual military M3 outfits issued - but the numbers of military M3 cameras issued are known. It is very probable that "outfits" were put together using cameras and lenses manufactured in different years. Most items are engraved/stamped with German army military contract numbers. All cameras are painted olive green. I hope the colour shows up in the pictures - I am colour blind and may not have set the white balance correctly before taking the pictures. Only 144 olive green M3 cameras were manufactured including 100 in 1957. This example is from serial number sequence 1206962-1206999 which was the very last batch of 38 Leica M3 bodies made in 1968 ... S/N 1206983 is one of the last 17 made. Production of normal chrome M3 cameras ceased in 1966; anything made thereafter would have used existing parts inventory plus some "green paint" . Apologies if some of the comments hereunder appear a bit patronising or unnecessary to the experts here but the essay was initially prepared for a non-camera forum where members are unfamiliar with Leica products.
If you have a copy of the Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition the actual serial numbers of olive green military Leica M3 cameras are documented in the M3 section on page 37 . Similarly, the military S/Ns are also documented in "Leica Collectors Guide" first edition on page 79.
This the M3 camera fitted with the 50mm f3.5 Elmar and lens hood
Closer view of top plate
The back of the top plate shows the military "Bundeswehreigentum" engraving (as does the lens hood above)
Rear view; both flash sync. covers included
Back door opened to reveal the film plane, shutter blinds and film pressure plate
M3 baseplate
Minor vulcanite damage. Might require stabilizing to prevent spread. This is the most complete vulcanite I have seen compared to other photographs of known olive green M3 cameras.
With the Leicameter-MC fitted ... the meter is coupled to the camera shutter speed dial - the meter also has a military engraving but on the underside ... see picture below
Another picture with the meter attached
The Elmar lens S/N 1335790 is interesting because it was made in 1956 over 10 years prior to the camera. But, there was also a military contract in 1957 so presumably the lens could have been issued under the 1957 contract and then swapped over at a later date. Also note that Elmar 50/3.5 lenses in M bayonet mount were only made from 1954 until 1961 and total bayonet mount production was only 13198 compared to total 50/3.5 Elmar L39 screw mount lens production of 365852. The Leitz 50/3.5 Elmar was in production from 1925 until 1961 in virtually the same design/configuration. The only major upgrade was lens coating introduced in the late 1940's. 50mm Elmars are still sought after today for their particular type of "fingerprint" and "bo-ke" ie the pleasant transition of sharp to unsharp out of focus areas in the image.
Military engravings on the lens and lens hood. I need to investigate the military contract numbers to try and date them and hopefully maybe prove the number on the lens corresponds with a 1957 contract. But on the other hand it would have been possible for the 1956 lens to be in storage for up to 12 years before the outfit was put together. Lens hoods do not have Leitz serial numbers so it is not possible to date them. The hood has the Leitz code IROO and was suitable for both 35mm and 50mm lenses.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa318/kirkwo
[img]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa318/kirkwoo
This is the 135mm f4 Leitz Tele-Elmar S/N 2421032 which dates it to 1970. This version of the lens was in production from 1965 to 1985 and is a superb performer. The MTF graphs are are almost straight lines thus giving excellent edge to edge sharpness and contrast. There is no military contract number engraved on the lens but there is a "BUNDESWEHR" engraving. Given the date of manufacture this lens could have been a replacement ... or maybe the outfit was not issued until 1970?
cont'd ...
If you have a copy of the Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition the actual serial numbers of olive green military Leica M3 cameras are documented in the M3 section on page 37 . Similarly, the military S/Ns are also documented in "Leica Collectors Guide" first edition on page 79.
This the M3 camera fitted with the 50mm f3.5 Elmar and lens hood
Closer view of top plate
The back of the top plate shows the military "Bundeswehreigentum" engraving (as does the lens hood above)
Rear view; both flash sync. covers included
Back door opened to reveal the film plane, shutter blinds and film pressure plate
M3 baseplate
Minor vulcanite damage. Might require stabilizing to prevent spread. This is the most complete vulcanite I have seen compared to other photographs of known olive green M3 cameras.
With the Leicameter-MC fitted ... the meter is coupled to the camera shutter speed dial - the meter also has a military engraving but on the underside ... see picture below
Another picture with the meter attached
The Elmar lens S/N 1335790 is interesting because it was made in 1956 over 10 years prior to the camera. But, there was also a military contract in 1957 so presumably the lens could have been issued under the 1957 contract and then swapped over at a later date. Also note that Elmar 50/3.5 lenses in M bayonet mount were only made from 1954 until 1961 and total bayonet mount production was only 13198 compared to total 50/3.5 Elmar L39 screw mount lens production of 365852. The Leitz 50/3.5 Elmar was in production from 1925 until 1961 in virtually the same design/configuration. The only major upgrade was lens coating introduced in the late 1940's. 50mm Elmars are still sought after today for their particular type of "fingerprint" and "bo-ke" ie the pleasant transition of sharp to unsharp out of focus areas in the image.
Military engravings on the lens and lens hood. I need to investigate the military contract numbers to try and date them and hopefully maybe prove the number on the lens corresponds with a 1957 contract. But on the other hand it would have been possible for the 1956 lens to be in storage for up to 12 years before the outfit was put together. Lens hoods do not have Leitz serial numbers so it is not possible to date them. The hood has the Leitz code IROO and was suitable for both 35mm and 50mm lenses.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa318/kirkwo
[img]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa318/kirkwoo
This is the 135mm f4 Leitz Tele-Elmar S/N 2421032 which dates it to 1970. This version of the lens was in production from 1965 to 1985 and is a superb performer. The MTF graphs are are almost straight lines thus giving excellent edge to edge sharpness and contrast. There is no military contract number engraved on the lens but there is a "BUNDESWEHR" engraving. Given the date of manufacture this lens could have been a replacement ... or maybe the outfit was not issued until 1970?
cont'd ...
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