Any advice on buying a Leica 1?

[Bart Bart]

I've had several of the later more common models but does anyone have any advice or cautions on buying an earlier hockey stick Leica 1? For use rather than collecting, I'd want a "nice" camera but nothing that is more than base value as I don't care about particular serial numbers, etc.

 

[Beemermark]

Watch out for fakes. Buy on cosmetics assuming it will need a CLA.


BTW, here's a nice looking one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Ex-LE...308510?hash=item42152ffede:g:7nIAAOSwq9Zeduov

 

[CameraQuest]

just buy one in nice user shape

with no known or obvious problems,

from a seller that allows returns if all is not what it seems to be.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Leica I is a very simple camera that can be repaired by any repairman. Much more important is that all the parts of the camera are original: lens, speed dial, wind knob etc. Also the vulcanite must be original and without cracks.

The most important part is the lens. Most lenses on Leica I cameras are ruined. Haze can usually be fixed, but scratches can not.

Erik.

 

[Bart Bart]

I was expecting a decent one would be about $1500 but am I unrealistic? Are all the ones in that range trashed?

 

[Erik van Straten]

I was expecting a decent one would be about $1500 but am I unrealistic? Are all the ones in that range trashed?

Depends on what you want. The earlier the camera, the more expensive it will be. Under serial nr. 300 the price will be astronomical.

A late one, around serial nr. 55.000, can be had for around $800.

Erik.


This is shot with a Leica I from 1928:

 

[Ambro51]

If you find one reasonably the close focus model adds a Lot to the uniqueness of the A. Ltm prices ARE going up, sooner than later you’ll not be able to touch a good user A for less than 2000$. We tend to forget the rarity of the unaltered A. Yes, 60000 were made, but many were lost over the decades, many more were factory updated...and a lot are in firm collector hands.

 

[David Hughes]

All I can add is try and get one with the black lens cap, if you like authenticity. The original/correct rangefinder is worth chasing after for the same reason but pushes the price up a lot.

There's a reprint of the original USA manual available from time to time but a lot of people price it as though it is the original. You might also try looking to the booklet "First Principles for Leica Users" as well.

I'll wish you luck with the search.

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

A 'Standard' or a standardised Leica I would be cheaper

 

[jsrockit]

A 'Standard' or a standardised Leica I would be cheaper

They aren't that cheap either though...