Leica LTM Information about my 1931 Leica I (C)

[neal3k]

I posted this information in the Show off your Leica I/II/III/LTM Camera thread but it seems only a few saw it and no one commented so I'm starting a new thread.

I just got this unusual Leica I (C) from 1931. I guess long ago, someone removed the paint and left it just brass. I like the patina but wonder about the orange dots on the top plate. The camera came CLA'd and works like a dream. It is great for my shooting as I like to zone focus and use Sunny 16 for exposures.

Comments would be welcome.


Leica I (C) by Neal Wellons, on Flickr

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It's beautiful. Is that a new covering?
Also- what is the SN of the Elmar? I have a Black Leica III picked up years ago at an antique store. The paint is well worn. I can see why someone might take the rest off. The helical of the Elmar- also worn, almost to the point of being unusable even with heavy grease to take up the play.

 

[enasniearth]

your leica was according to the serial number
original delivered as a leica 1 A with the fixed 5cm Elmar lens
this is from the number list on cameraquest which was provided to him by leica
converted to leica standard at some later point in time
it should have an 0 engraved on the top of the lens mount indicateing
it was set to the proper flange to film distance
I have one 5000 units newer - a leica 1 A covered to Leica standard
it was fairly common back then to have your leica updated to the latest
specifications - and interchangeable lens capability was desirable
the red spots are possibly just oxidation of the brass surface
my lens is from 1948 & being serviced currently

contacted leica - but they could only tell me - delivered in Berlin and the date in 1931
they stated it was not sent back to wetzlar for the conversion
they said if I sent pictures they could possibly comment on the conversion
which I haven't done yet

 

[neal3k]

It's beautiful. Is that a new covering?
Also- what is the SN of the Elmar? I have a Black Leica III picked up years ago at an antique store. The paint is well worn. I can see why someone might take the rest off. The helical of the Elmar- also worn, almost to the point of being unusable even with heavy grease to take up the play.

I'm not sure if it is a new covering or not. I'll ask my dealer who replaces the covering if his Leicas and Canons are damaged. The Elmar has no serial number.

 

[neal3k]

your leica was according to the serial number
original delivered as a leica 1 A with the fixed 5cm Elmar lens
this is from the number list on cameraquest which was provided to him by leica
converted to leica standard at some later point in time
it should have an 0 engraved on the top of the lens mount indicateing
it was set to the proper flange to film distance
I have one 5000 units newer - a leica 1 A covered to Leica standard
it was fairly common back then to have your leica updated to the latest
specifications - and interchangeable lens capability was desirable
the red spots are possibly just oxidation of the brass surface
my lens is from 1948 & being serviced currently

contacted leica - but they could only tell me - delivered in Berlin and the date in 1931
they stated it was not sent back to wetzlar for the conversion
they said if I sent pictures they could possibly comment on the conversion
which I haven't done yet View attachment 4858641View attachment 4858642

Thanks for the info. Yes, there is a 0 on the lens mount, like yours.

 

[Glenn2]

Neal, the serial numbers on the f/3.5 Elmar lenses are very tiny and engraved on the black ring for setting the f stop. Mine is actually opposite the pointer, close to the lens. You’ll need a high power magnifier to read the numbers and even just to see it. You may have missed it, it’s not easy to find.

Glenn

 

[neal3k]

Neal, the serial numbers on the f/3.5 Elmar lenses are very tiny and engraved on the black ring for setting the f stop. Mine is actually opposite the pointer, close to the lens. You’ll need a high power magnifier to read the numbers and even just to see it. You may have missed it, it’s not easy to find.

Glenn

Thanks, Glenn. I would never have found it without your help. The number is 204704.

It's beautiful. Is that a new covering?
Also- what is the SN of the Elmar? I have a Black Leica III picked up years ago at an antique store. The paint is well worn. I can see why someone might take the rest off. The helical of the Elmar- also worn, almost to the point of being unusable even with heavy grease to take up the play.

Here we go thanks to Glenn. See the number above. Looks like a 1934, from what I just found.

 

[rfaspen]

Worth noting here that very early Elmars usually do not have a serial number. However I could tell yours was late enough to have one....lots of small clues and characteristics on the early ones. A whole world of wonder for some folks 😎

 

[Nitroplait]

Leica 1a only had 1 serial number for body and lens. It was considered one unit - the number was engraved on the top plate - not the lens. When converted and the lens separated from the body, the lens remained without serial number.
If you have a converted Leica 1A and the lens has a serial number, that would indicate the lens is not the one that was on the camera when originally sold as 1A.

 

[lynnb]

Congratulations, it’s a beautiful camera.

 

[wlewisiii]

I wish I could find a Standard or 1 that I could afford 🙂 That's something I'd be very interested in right now.

Yours is really cool.

 

[neal3k]

Thanks so much for everyone's help (and compliments too.) I love these old LTM Leicas and wouldn't swap them for the finest digital Leica.

 

[Dralowid]

I can't quite tell but it looks as if it retains the original larger shutter speed dial, which is nice.

What does the catch on the base look like?

The lens is later, it looks to be chrome and not nickel.

I'd leave the orange dots alone if they don't come off easily. If you have to scrub them you may leave 'witness' marks.

If you want to darken the surface down you could use one of the 'blackings' for brass model making but the result is not hardwearing and it is hard to make it look convincing...I wouldn't go there unless you have plenty of practice.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is very nice to shoot with a Leica l. Working with them nowadays is nice because they give the same feeling that they had when they were new. They were then as rare as they are now. I have a four digit Leica (from 1928) that works as good as it did when it was new.


gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a (1928)

Utrecht, 2019

 

[neal3k]

I can't quite tell but it looks as if it retains the original larger shutter speed dial, which is nice.

What does the catch on the base look like?

The lens is later, it looks to be chrome and not nickel.

I'd leave the orange dots alone if they don't come off easily. If you have to scrub them you may leave 'witness' marks.

If you want to darken the surface down you could use one of the 'blackings' for brass model making but the result is not hardwearing and it is hard to make it look convincing...I wouldn't go there unless you have plenty of practice.

Thanks for your comments. The catch looks like all my other ltm Leicas and I don't have a picture yet. The recessed area for the catch is still painted black and the rest of the baseplate is brass except for some black residue around two screws.

The lens was made in 1934.

I don't plan to do anything with the finish except give it some honest wear.