Dralowid
Michael
There are no rules but around 300 good old fashioned worthless British pounds seems to be the going rate for a 'fairly interesting' conversion body.
Quite how one defines 'fairly interesting' is moot. For me, the more the camera is a mixture of old and new the better. Or I look at a theme, for example, two posts up, I illustrate a II and a III both postwar conversions without sync. one with new knobs, one retaining the older nickel ones.
Having said all that, I would go over the top to capture a postwar I to I conversion...yes, they do exist.
Quite how one defines 'fairly interesting' is moot. For me, the more the camera is a mixture of old and new the better. Or I look at a theme, for example, two posts up, I illustrate a II and a III both postwar conversions without sync. one with new knobs, one retaining the older nickel ones.
Having said all that, I would go over the top to capture a postwar I to I conversion...yes, they do exist.
Dralowid
Michael
The reproduction release guards that I have seen all have vertical milling (as have early FED ones).
I would suggest that this one may have come from our friends at Michelin though it is quite a tidy job. The flat bit at the base of the release guard (if it is indeed on the relase guide) may confirm this.
Erik, whatever it is, it is not one I've made, I may be selling cameras to fund something digital but I'm keeping cameras like this!
Michael
I would suggest that this one may have come from our friends at Michelin though it is quite a tidy job. The flat bit at the base of the release guard (if it is indeed on the relase guide) may confirm this.
Erik, whatever it is, it is not one I've made, I may be selling cameras to fund something digital but I'm keeping cameras like this!
Michael
Dralowid
Michael
Hi Erik,
Take note of the release guard on this piece of fanatsy...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leica-I-a-Lux...y_VintagePhotoAccessories&hash=item1e61f6b9ec
Take note of the release guard on this piece of fanatsy...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leica-I-a-Lux...y_VintagePhotoAccessories&hash=item1e61f6b9ec
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Hi Michael,
Neither fanatsy nor fantasy. Just ...
Erik.
Neither fanatsy nor fantasy. Just ...
Erik.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Just spotted this beautiful factory conversion but will likely not sell at that price (even not with the nickel lens)....
So this one we can add to 'our' records....
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140509965892&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1109wt_906
So this one we can add to 'our' records....
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140509965892&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1109wt_906
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Just stumbled at the LUF site at this unique (IMHO) original Leica factory conversion:
a 250 GG sync: (mind you, I have no relations to the seller at all)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leica-250-REPORTER-Ultra-RARE-Rangefinder-LEITZ-1937-/360353459284?pt=UK_Photography_Film_Cameras_ET&hash=item53e6bd6c54#ht_6559wt_1140
a 250 GG sync: (mind you, I have no relations to the seller at all)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leica-250-REPORTER-Ultra-RARE-Rangefinder-LEITZ-1937-/360353459284?pt=UK_Photography_Film_Cameras_ET&hash=item53e6bd6c54#ht_6559wt_1140
Erik van Straten
Veteran
A SCNOO-C should fit any IIIc, IIIf or IIIg without conversion. I think you are in the wrong thread. Nevertheless, you have a really nice outfit. Congratulations!
Erik.
hteasley
Pupil
Not all. My IIIf required a new take-up shaft, and some grinding down of a couple of gears to get it to fit properly and function. Youxin said that the SCNOO was not compatible with my IIIf, but that he knew what he would have to do to make it work, and he sure enough did.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Very interesting! Are these conversions also necessary when using the Leicavit?
Erik.
hteasley
Pupil
No idea. There are apparently many fiddly little changes within various models, so I think it can be very much a case of a particular camera and a particular accessory, whether or not things work.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
Leicavit fits all Leica Screw Mount cameras 1951 - 1960 IIIFBD/RD and IIIG
SCNOO C was for "wartime" Leica IIIC's and has to be modified if used with a IIIC camera made after #430xxx
Tom
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
What did I buy?
What did I buy?
I bought this for next to nothing. Was listed as a Leica copy. Not a clue on the serial number yet but I'm guessing it's a conversion and the number and camera don't 'add up'.
The lens was already sold and the curtains are thrashed. Guess this is going to be my first attempt at fixing curtains on a Leica.
What did I buy?
I bought this for next to nothing. Was listed as a Leica copy. Not a clue on the serial number yet but I'm guessing it's a conversion and the number and camera don't 'add up'.
The lens was already sold and the curtains are thrashed. Guess this is going to be my first attempt at fixing curtains on a Leica.
Attachments
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
I bought this for next to nothing. Was listed as a Leica copy. Not a clue on the serial number yet but I'm guessing it's a conversion and the number and camera don't 'add up'.
The lens was already sold and the curtains are thrashed. Guess this is going to be my first attempt at fixing curtains on a Leica.
Its a beauty Johan! Would you reveal part of the serialnumber? A comparable one is right now in the classifieds, and that surely is a Leica Factory Conversion from a Leica I from 1928.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Hi Ron,
I don't know the serial yet! Price was really low so I jumped on it straight away.
Fact thats it's likely an original while being listed as a copy makes me think the seller has looked up the number but it doesn't match the current model so he considers it a fake...
This week it should arrive in the mail. Until then, nothing's certain I guess.
I don't know the serial yet! Price was really low so I jumped on it straight away.
Fact thats it's likely an original while being listed as a copy makes me think the seller has looked up the number but it doesn't match the current model so he considers it a fake...
This week it should arrive in the mail. Until then, nothing's certain I guess.
Last edited:
Dralowid
Michael
Hi Johan, Nice camera and interesting too!
Apart from the listing what clues lead you toward it being a conversion? Screws seem to be in the right place, shape around the shutter release dial later and appropriate to a III. Accessory shoe is 'low'. Also shutter dial is nickel suggesting it cannot be a IIIa.
Looking forward to the serial number...
Michael
Apart from the listing what clues lead you toward it being a conversion? Screws seem to be in the right place, shape around the shutter release dial later and appropriate to a III. Accessory shoe is 'low'. Also shutter dial is nickel suggesting it cannot be a IIIa.
Looking forward to the serial number...
Michael
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Hi Michael,
it was no rocket science on my behalf, I simply know that the only cameras ever made with a slow speed dial were a certain type of Zorki-3 (totally different top plate) and the Shanghai types I and II (never made in black, only chrome).
So, if it's likely a true Leica, why would a seller still claim it's a copy (a.k.a. fake)? Probably because the serial number points toward a different type of camera. Reasoning as the seller likely did: looks real but serial is wrong, must be copy or fake after all. Or, it could be a five-digit serial number, or even four-digit, dismissing it as a copy.
I'll take my chances and see if I can study and repair it's shutter mechanism. Maybe it just needs a CLA to get cracking again.
it was no rocket science on my behalf, I simply know that the only cameras ever made with a slow speed dial were a certain type of Zorki-3 (totally different top plate) and the Shanghai types I and II (never made in black, only chrome).
So, if it's likely a true Leica, why would a seller still claim it's a copy (a.k.a. fake)? Probably because the serial number points toward a different type of camera. Reasoning as the seller likely did: looks real but serial is wrong, must be copy or fake after all. Or, it could be a five-digit serial number, or even four-digit, dismissing it as a copy.
I'll take my chances and see if I can study and repair it's shutter mechanism. Maybe it just needs a CLA to get cracking again.
john neal
fallor ergo sum
Johan,
Nice find - if you need any curtain material, let me know. I have some lovely rubberised Japanese silk that I got from John Goodman - very similar to the original material, and much thinner than the Aki Asaki or Microtools double-sided stuff.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
What makes you think it is a copy? Looks like a real Leica III to me, with a non-Leitz flash synch added.
Don't think too lightly on replacing the curtains. It is a hell of a job. It is better to give the camera to Mr Scherpenborg in Nijmegen. He'll replace the curtains for a very reasonable fee and he will check the other functions of the camera too.
Erik.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Erik,
Pls read closer. It was listed as a copy and I also think it's the real deal.
Anyway, it might be on my desk when I get home, so then I'll be able to share more!
Pls read closer. It was listed as a copy and I also think it's the real deal.
Anyway, it might be on my desk when I get home, so then I'll be able to share more!
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Well,
this is bit of a downer. I felt I was in for a huge deal. The camera and lens were listed together for EUR 100.00 but as it turned out the lens was already sold. The seller was real sorry and offered me the camera for EUR 25
Of course I took the offer.
Turns out there was more wrong on his website so today a re-chromed and re-engraved FED arrived for EUR 25 including shipping. Obviously he had not only listed a camera and lens of which the lens was already sold, but also mixed up the photos that accompanied the sale...
Since the camera I now received is actually worth EUR 25 and I hardly can ask someone to sell me a camera which I know to be worth much more for EUR 25 after a mix-up, I'll just keep the re-chromed FED and try my luck on the shutter curtains.
But I sure am not gonna buy anymore from this shop. Last time I bought an M2 there and the shutter had pinholes. The seller was very helpful then. Now two more mistakes: three strikes he's out!
this is bit of a downer. I felt I was in for a huge deal. The camera and lens were listed together for EUR 100.00 but as it turned out the lens was already sold. The seller was real sorry and offered me the camera for EUR 25
Of course I took the offer.Turns out there was more wrong on his website so today a re-chromed and re-engraved FED arrived for EUR 25 including shipping. Obviously he had not only listed a camera and lens of which the lens was already sold, but also mixed up the photos that accompanied the sale...
Since the camera I now received is actually worth EUR 25 and I hardly can ask someone to sell me a camera which I know to be worth much more for EUR 25 after a mix-up, I'll just keep the re-chromed FED and try my luck on the shutter curtains.
But I sure am not gonna buy anymore from this shop. Last time I bought an M2 there and the shutter had pinholes. The seller was very helpful then. Now two more mistakes: three strikes he's out!