Info needed on 1953 Leica

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1953 leica

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Hello, I recently inherited an absolutely mint condition 1953 Leica iiif Camera and was told by a local camera shop to post on this website to get more information on it as I really know very little about it. My Dad told me it was only ever used a handfull of times and it looks it with no visible marks anywhere. It comes in the original box (which is not in great shape) and has the original leather case, Sixti lightmeter, yellow coated filter, and some type of flat metal black box that springs open into a hollow square that I assume attaches to the camera in some way. These are also all in perfect 'like new' condition. There is also still two unused metal film containers with film marked '1955' inside the box as well. I'm certain this was the last time the camera would have been used.

Could someone tell me what this might be worth. I can provide any other information and have pictures as well.

If I have posted in the wrong spot please forgive my ignorance as I am a new member just trying to get information.

Thank you in advance.....
 
Welcome and sounds like you have a real collector's item. Not that the IIIf is rare but the condition is. One well-known shop that specializes in collectible Leicas is Leicashop in Vienna (leicashop.com), you should be able to get a good idea of the value from their listings.
 
Welcome to the forum. To help determine a value you could check completed sales on evil bay or do a search on the net for used camera price guides as there are several sites for that. Keep in mind that any Leica that has not been in use for a long time on a regular basis may have problems associated with sitting so long. Your flat metal box may be a "barn door lens hood", Leica code SOOPD, for a Summitar 50/2 lens. The body, the lens and the hood will all have separate individual values.

Bob
 
Thanks for all the great information guys. I will definitely check into all the avenues suggested.

I think that the folding box may indeed be some type of hood. It is marked Summicron E.Leitz Wetzlar Germany and has a hole measuring approx 42mm.

The yellow screw on lens filter is in it's original Leica case and is also marked Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar.

The lens on the camera is marked Sumicron f=5cm 1:2 Nr.994280.

The film box and metal containers are marked Otto Perutz perpantic July 1955 and are also made in Germany.

Also a few years ago my Dad had taken it to a camera shop where their expert looked it over mostly on the inside of the camera and he was very impressed with it at that time. Not sure what he was looking for but he seemed to be happy with what he saw.
 
FrankS said:
Where are you located? Also, pictures of what you have would help.
Click to expand...

I am located in Winnipeg, Canada. Pictures are below, more to come:


leicacamera010.jpg
leicacamera008.jpg
 
Condition can be tricky to assess without use or experience with the cameras since some of it is relative to other cameras of its type. The state of the internals are also an issue since many cameras from this era need service.

Ballpark numbers (plus or minus a fair amount depending on condition), not a special version, etc:

- $250-500 Leica iiif
- $250-500 Summicron (assuming its the collapsible version)
- $50-125 for the hood
- $25-50 for the filter

I'm not at all an expert. These are just guesses based on prices I've seen items go for recently. So much depends on the specifics of the condition (internal and external) that it is hard to assess without photos, having it inspected, etc. Obviously if there are issues, prices can drop to half of what is listed.
 
As for simplest way to sell for the most money, ebay would probably be your best bet. Throw a number like $700 in for the starting price and let the market determine the value.

Alternatively you could list it here. I haven't used the 'auction' system here so I'm not familiar with it. The normal path would be to offer it for a fixed value and lower the price if you don't get any interest until someone picks it up. Less in fees but a little more work potentially finding the right price.

If you care less about how much you get for it and just want to sell it quickly, an add here priced at around $600 (with an option to return the camera for a refund if the condition doesn't match your description) would probably sell it instantly.
 
Brian Legge said:
As for simplest way to sell for the most money, ebay would probably be your best bet. Throw a number like $700 in for the starting price and let the market determine the value.

Alternatively you could list it here. I haven't used the 'auction' system here so I'm not familiar with it. The normal path would be to offer it for a fixed value and lower the price if you don't get any interest until someone picks it up. Less in fees but a little more work potentially finding the right price.

If you care less about how much you get for it and just want to sell it quickly, an add here priced at around $600 (with an option to return the camera for a refund if the condition doesn't match your description) would probably sell it instantly.
Click to expand...

Thanks Brian. My uneducated guess would have been around $500 but it appears it may be worth a little more. :)
 
Can you unscrew the Summicron from the body and look through it on white surface ?
Is it clean ?
With yellow cast (without yellow filter)?

Arnaud
 
Very neat set!

Another handy price guide is at http://antiquecameras.net/leicascrewcameras.html but it hasn't been updated lately. The lens section has more recent data.

The lens might not come off easily--which brings us to rule no. 1 with any camera: Don't force anything.

Rule no. 2 with these Leicas: Always wind on before you change the shutter speed. The wind button is the bigger one, on the right (in use). It should rotate very smoothly.

Keep these in mind but play with it to your heart's content, I'd say. You don't need film in it for testing the basic functions.

If indeed the lens comes off, the shutter curtains can be inspected. Those are the biggest concern. You should see a nice piece of black silk in the cavity. As you wind on, the overlap between the two curtains moves across the gate. Set a low speed (lift dial, rotate until the desired number lines up with the arrow on the flash shoe, drop dial) and when you release the shutter, you should be able to see a reflection from the film pressure plate behind the curtains. Repeat with the speed on B (wind on first, remember?) and the first curtain should open and stay open until you let go of the shutter button; then the second curtain closes the gate.

Also look through the rangefinder (left side of the double eyepiece); you can adjust it for your vision with the little lever marked with an arrow and infinity symbol. As you focus the lens in and out, you should see a fainter but distinct second image that moves relative to the main image. Often the half-mirror that does this degrades over time and needs to be replaced.

Oh, and you want to make sure the film take-up spool is present. Open the bottom latch (flip up, rotate as marked), then swing the end with the latch out a little until the other end can be taken off the holding stud. That side is also where the spool should be; you'll see a disc marked "Germany" if it's there. It simply pulls out.
 
I will try to check all of these great points later tonight after I get home from work.....I checked the lens yesterday for any obvious signs . It is a collapsible Summicron and has no scratches or marks on it that I could see. Due to the limited use of less than ten times, I don't think the lens was ever cleaned with anything and for sure not over the past 57 years as it sat in the leather case and the original box the entire time.
 
Are you planning on using it, I noticed that you inherited it and so I guess it has value beyond $ terms?
It sure is pretty :)
 
batterytypehah! said:
Very neat set!

Another handy price guide is at http://antiquecameras.net/leicascrewcameras.html but it hasn't been updated lately. The lens section has more recent data.

The lens might not come off easily--which brings us to rule no. 1 with any camera: Don't force anything.

Rule no. 2 with these Leicas: Always wind on before you change the shutter speed. The wind button is the bigger one, on the right (in use). It should rotate very smoothly.

Keep these in mind but play with it to your heart's content, I'd say. You don't need film in it for testing the basic functions.

If indeed the lens comes off, the shutter curtains can be inspected. Those are the biggest concern. You should see a nice piece of black silk in the cavity. As you wind on, the overlap between the two curtains moves across the gate. Set a low speed (lift dial, rotate until the desired number lines up with the arrow on the flash shoe, drop dial) and when you release the shutter, you should be able to see a reflection from the film pressure plate behind the curtains. Repeat with the speed on B (wind on first, remember?) and the first curtain should open and stay open until you let go of the shutter button; then the second curtain closes the gate.

Also look through the rangefinder (left side of the double eyepiece); you can adjust it for your vision with the little lever marked with an arrow and infinity symbol. As you focus the lens in and out, you should see a fainter but distinct second image that moves relative to the main image. Often the half-mirror that does this degrades over time and needs to be replaced.

Oh, and you want to make sure the film take-up spool is present. Open the bottom latch (flip up, rotate as marked), then swing the end with the latch out a little until the other end can be taken off the holding stud. That side is also where the spool should be; you'll see a disc marked "Germany" if it's there. It simply pulls out.
Click to expand...


Well, I just went through your entire description on this camera and everything is working exaclty as you described including the half mirror double image. The curtains look brand new with no deterioration of anykind and function as you described with changing the shutter speed. The lens screws off easily and the wind button is very smooth. I opened the bottom and both spools are present. I can't tell what extending the lens in and out and turning it the 1/4 turn (like when you focus a normal lens) does though?
 
bgb said:
Are you planning on using it or just interested in selling, I noticed that you inherited it and so I guess it has value beyond $ terms?
It sure is pretty :)
Click to expand...

My Dad actually gave it to me a few months before he passed away. I will never be able to appreciate it the way it should be. I'm a more point and shoot digital camera guy lol. The mor I look at this thing the more the condition seems unbelievable after so many years.
 
The radioactive Summicron (serial number very close to 1 Mio), if indeed clean (no coating damage) is worth the most.

If the kit is as clean as I suspect, you can get over US 1k for it, if you sell yourself and in pieces.

Good luck !
 
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