Inherited Leica camera

[s.jacobs9]

Hi all, I inherited this Leica III and collapsible lens a few years ago. I’m not into photography and am looking to connect with any collectors that might be interested in purchasing the set. I did contact 1 local camera shop but have no idea how to judge if their offer is reasonable. So, looking to connect with people that know about this stuff. Let me know what you think.

 

[splitimageview]

Nice set!

Leica IIIf self timer with 50/2 Summicron collapsible, a 135 telephoto with viewfinder, cases and other misc.

To get a market evaluation the camera's viewfinder, rangefinder, lens optics, shutter operation and shutter curtains must be evaluated. Which really can only be done with close inspection. Without personal inspection only a general range is possible.

Where are you located?

 

[s.jacobs9]

Thanks for the fast reply. I am in the Philadelphia region

 

[s.jacobs9]

This is what ChatGPT identified from the pictures:

Camera Body

• Leica IIIf (35mm screw-mount rangefinder)
• Serial number: 723211
• Year: 1954
• Markings: Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar Germany
• Finish: Chrome
• Shutter: Focal-plane cloth shutter (unserviced)
• Condition (visual):
  • Clean top plate engraving
  • Vulcanite intact with no major lifting visible
  • Controls appear straight and original

Primary Lens

• Leitz Summicron 5cm f/2 (collapsible)
• Serial number: 1191178
• Year: 1954
• Mount: Leica Thread Mount (LTM / M39)
• Aperture: f/2–f/16
• Notes:
  • Highly desirable early Summicron
  • Period-correct pairing with the IIIf
  • Glass appears clear in photos (no obvious haze or fungus visible)

Additional Lens / Optical Accessories
(Based on visible items — final confirmation would require close inspection)

• Leitz auxiliary finder (likely 50mm bright-line finder)
• Leitz close-up or accessory optical attachment (appears original and period-correct)
• Leitz filter(s) with metal rims
• Original Leitz metal lens cap(s)

Cases & Storage

• Original Leica leather ever-ready case (body + lens)
• Separate Leica leather lens case
• Both appear original, period-correct, and in very good condition for age

Documentation

• Original Leica instruction manuals / paperwork
• Period-correct printed materials

Other Accessories

• Leica take-up spool
• Lens caps and small accessories (as shown)
• Original Leica packaging elements (paper inserts)

 

[Tim Murphy]

This is what ChatGPT identified from the pictures:

Camera Body

• Leica IIIf (35mm screw-mount rangefinder)
• Serial number: 723211
• Year: 1954
• Markings: Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar Germany
• Finish: Chrome
• Shutter: Focal-plane cloth shutter (unserviced)
• Condition (visual):
  • Clean top plate engraving
  • Vulcanite intact with no major lifting visible
  • Controls appear straight and original

Primary Lens

• Leitz Summicron 5cm f/2 (collapsible)
• Serial number: 1191178
• Year: 1954
• Mount: Leica Thread Mount (LTM / M39)
• Aperture: f/2–f/16
• Notes:
  • Highly desirable early Summicron
  • Period-correct pairing with the IIIf
  • Glass appears clear in photos (no obvious haze or fungus visible)

Additional Lens / Optical Accessories
(Based on visible items — final confirmation would require close inspection)

• Leitz auxiliary finder (likely 50mm bright-line finder)
• Leitz close-up or accessory optical attachment (appears original and period-correct)
• Leitz filter(s) with metal rims
• Original Leitz metal lens cap(s)

Cases & Storage

• Original Leica leather ever-ready case (body + lens)
• Separate Leica leather lens case
• Both appear original, period-correct, and in very good condition for age

Documentation

• Original Leica instruction manuals / paperwork
• Period-correct printed materials

Other Accessories

• Leica take-up spool
• Lens caps and small accessories (as shown)
• Original Leica packaging elements (paper inserts)

Dear sjacobs9,

Hello,

If you are in the Philadelphia area, I would suggest that you visit Authorized Camera Repair in Willow Grove PA. Authorized Camera Repair › Willow Grove › Pennsylvania › USA

I have no interest in anything other than I can say that Matt has treated we well on repairs to older vintage lenses. I'm sure he can give you value for the camera whether he buys it, or you sell it privately. Your camera may need repairs or may be good enough to sell as-is and he can tell you that. I'd trust Matt's opinion 100%.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Someone once told me never to sell to anyone giving you an appraisal on the value of an item.

 

[JeffS7444]

That's a lovely outfit! I'd guess that most of your value is in those lenses, particularly the 50 mm Summicron. I normally wouldn't take much note of an old Leica 135 mm lens, such as the so-so 135/4 Hektor, but I've never seen a 135/3.5 Schneider Tele Xenar in Leica mount before, and it may be of particular interest to collectors.

Leica 3F "Black Dial" with optional self-timer has the iconic Leica look, and yours appears to have decent cosmetics, with moderate visible wear, and what looks like home-made repairs to the vulcanite. I think the market for screw mount Leica cameras in general peaked in the 1980s or 90s, but there's still some interest in them today. But the cost of having the camera body refurbished to a film-ready condition will easily exceed it's market value. Yours appears to be a very common variant.

 

[rick oleson]

Maybe I'm not looking closely enough at your photo, but I'm not seeing the "home-made repairs to the vulcanite". Whether having it refurbished to film-ready condition would exceed its market value or not depends very much on what it does or doesn't need - it could be film-ready right now. However, an inconvenience with the Leica is that with no removable back, you can't really assess the condition of the shutter without taking the camera apart to some degree, so there will be some cost in having that done. A very common Leica is still worth a fair bit of money, particularly with a self timer and a Summicron. I would concur with the suggestion to visit Authorized Camera Repair and have it checked over.

 

[38Deardorff]

The lens seems to be in very nice condition. The camera relatively common. Some collector would love to have the Leica paperwork & bits & pieces....at the same time they won't bring much if a camera store buys the package....
As far as if the camera works.... easy enough to test it with a roll of film at every shutter speed.

 

[s.jacobs9]

Thanks for all the help. I will try to contact Authorized Camera Repair to take a look. I hope my initial post wasn’t misleading, I’m not super concerned with capturing max value but wanted to get some assessment that it is reasonable. Even if not very valuable would be better with someone that collects these things instead of sitting in my closet.

 

[jszokoli]

Thanks for all the help. I will try to contact Authorized Camera Repair to take a look. I hope my initial post wasn’t misleading, I’m not super concerned with capturing max value but wanted to get some assessment that it is reasonable. Even if not very valuable would be better with someone that collects these things instead of sitting in my closet.

For that matter, maybe it is best if it goes to someone who will use it. Screw mount Leica’s are great users in the right hands.
Joe

 

[Duofold RF]

Check eBay completed (sold) similar item, average the price, lower 10-20% than eBay price, this will be the mostly likely private asking price. The dealer will give about 30-60% of eBay price. Alternatively go to KEH website, there is sell your camera/lens section, you can get the price the dealer will pay.

 

[38Deardorff]

For that matter, maybe it is best if it goes to someone who will use it. Screw mount Leica’s are great users in the right hands.
Joe

The camera and lenses would make good users....... but somewhere there's a collector-type who's heart beats faster at the sight of the Leica papers & clean cases.

 

[splitimageview]

The difficulty with ebay completed sales is finding 'similar items.'

Two Leica IIIfs and may be 'similar' in terms of model name, year of manufacture, but could be world's apart in terms of condition.

The value is determined almost entirely by condition. Nothing here is uncommon, not to say there isn't value.

 

[Duofold RF]

This is the reality of saturation: when your next of kin have no interest in cameras, lenses, or photography, your lifelong collection will likely end up at Goodwill, in a dumpster, at an estate sale, or—if they’re somewhat knowledgeable—posted on a photography forum for a second opinion.
I discussed this with Brian; he’s already instructed his family to send his gear to a consignment shop.
So, for those who baby their collections, my advice is simple: use them. Otherwise, you’re just temporary caretakers.

 

[Dralowid]

When it comes to collections, start selling before you kick the bucket, then at least you get the satisfaction of doing it properly.

There was a camera shop in Manchester (UK) who told me to come along in spring, early summer because the elderly owners tend to pass away during the winter and their equipment arrives onto the market a few months later...cheery topic eh?!

 

[Glenn2]

For an idea of camera and lens values this is an excellent site. Camera, lens values

 

[Jerry Attrik]

T`he serial number of he Summicron caught my eye. My elderly memory gives only approximate correlations and I did wonder if it resides within the band of thorium glass Summicrons. My own lens, 110*,*** (1953), had a nice even tobacco lens stain which I bleached out (stupid boy) with a U.V. lamp. That took about 36 hours. Worth checking, there are collectors who seek them. Not forgeting those who run a mile at the mere mention.

 

[splitimageview]

This one is too late to be radioactive, based on the serial…that’s the first detail I looked at 😁

 

[farlymac]

A few observations from what I can see in the photos. It's actually a "Red Dial" IIIf which means it has the newer flash synchronization (works with electronic flash units) in comparison with the "Black Dial" versions from pre-1953. Having been stored in the case unused for many years it has some degradation of the chrome which is typically caused from the tannins in the leather. I can also see spotting in the range and viewfinder windows so it will need to be opened up for a cleaning. The lubricants in the shutter mechanism will also be dried up causing uneven speeds. One can take the lens off to inspect the shutter curtains from the front to see if there is evidence of cracking, but yeah, it would need to be opened up to make a final determination on light leakage. A good CLA (Clean, Lube, and Adjust) for the camera alone can run into a few hundred dollars depending on who does it. But then you get what you paid for. Some low-priced outfits are better to be left alone as they will not do a thorough job. Add to that both lenses could stand a cleaning and pretty soon you've spent as much or more getting it back into running order as the outfit is worth. So, those are the things any dealer is going to look at when giving you an estimate as to its value, plus any collectability factors (such as the S-K Tele-Xenar). You could possibly make more by selling it piecemeal as then you can price each unit according to its intrinsic value to the buyer (like the collector who would want the original leather cases). But sold as a group, the condition of the camera is what would drag down the total valuation. Selling off the good bits at higher prices might make enough to cover the cost of a CLA for the camera body which would increase its value. Just don't expect to get a fast turn-around on the work as there are fewer repair shops that do this kind of work, and they are usually backed up for months at a time. One thing to check on is if you have the papers from Leitz showing the serial numbers from the camera and lens (the Summicron) being sold together. Keeping them together could raise the price to a collector.

PF