Fake or real? Leica LTM camera

Don't agree Roland.

Both camera and lens are genuine but it's unlikely that it has the original lens. The lens has the old aperture scale and by the time the camera was made (approx. 1937 judging from memory by serial number), the company had switched over to the current scale. But, if older lenses remained in stock and were sold with then-current bodies, this might be an original combo.
 
Deleted my post because I was hesitant, Johan. So since you refer to it, let me repeat what I originally wrote: I think the mounting ring of the Elmar with font and infinity lock looks wrong, and I thought Elmars were labeled 5cm, not 50mm.

But - as I said - I might be wrong.
 
Roland, the older lenses were marked F=50mm and the font is correct for those. Also, you can see the serial number on the narrow brass rim surrounding the front lens element, something no Russian lens ever had!

Takizawa, that lens started out as a fully chromed lens but the baffle inside the lens mount is made from felt and if that accumulates dirt, it will rub the chrome on the lens tube right off over time, down to the brass. That's what happened here.
 
Hi,

Another good pointer is the 1,25 on the focussing scale being the right way up. I can't imagine all the figures being re-engraved...

Regards, David
 
100% real, but what an awful condition.

Johan is this time wrong, the old aperture scale was used until after the war. Also, as this is a Leica Standard and not a Leica I, there is no such thing as an "original" lens.

Erik.
 
100% real, but what an awful condition.

Johan is this time wrong, the old aperture scale was used until after the war. Also, as this is a Leica Standard and not a Leica I, there is no such thing as an "original" lens.

Erik.

Ah, I live and learn, Erik! Didn't know the old scale was used that long.

Indeed does this camera have an exchangeable lens so 'original lens' = 'originally issued lens', I suppose. That'll teach me for sloppy phrasing 😉
 
About the brass barrel.......
I have a Leica II from the first production run in 1932. It has a nickel 11:00 Elmar without a serial number. The camera and lens are in near mint cosmetic condition, and no restoration has ever been done. The lens barrel is plain brass, and there is no sign it was ever plated. No plating is visible around the ends where the felt ring never goes. I have never been able to figure this odd camera out.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Dez
 
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