is this black leica III a fake
- Thread starter lxmike
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 47
- Views 3K
lxmike
M2 fan.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
This is absolutely a genuine Leica III, a quite early one, black and nickel. The flash socket is not genuine, of course.
Typical for the Leica III is the "long" time knob on the front and the brownish tone of the body covering.
It is an early one, 1933 or 1934.
The lettering is in Woods metal, see the Leica LTM thread.
See this thread too: https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165625
Erik.
Typical for the Leica III is the "long" time knob on the front and the brownish tone of the body covering.
It is an early one, 1933 or 1934.
The lettering is in Woods metal, see the Leica LTM thread.
See this thread too: https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165625
Erik.
lxmike
M2 fan.
thanks Erik, l am tempted, only thing putting me off is the flash synch upgrade on the front
lxmike
M2 fan.
well GAS took over, l made them an offer and they accepted it, got it for £130
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Looks a bit beat up. The "corrosion" or "flakiness" around the engraved areas on the top plate remind me of a botch paint job. I'm not saying that's what this is, only that those areas look awful. Clearly, the camera will want a good servicing right away. I bet it cleans up nice 🙂
The flash upgrade can be undone/removed of course. Only outward impact would be a hole in the vulcanite. A recovering would address that, but then it would not be original...
Personally, I'd only consider if the price was pretty low.....factoring the CLA and what not.
The flash upgrade can be undone/removed of course. Only outward impact would be a hole in the vulcanite. A recovering would address that, but then it would not be original...
Personally, I'd only consider if the price was pretty low.....factoring the CLA and what not.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Not bad. 😎 Even after you service it, you'll have a BP early III for less than one already in good condition typically sells for.
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
Congratz
If it bothers you, I'm sure any service man can remove the flash port. Looks pretty cool 🙂
Best regards
Marcelo
If it bothers you, I'm sure any service man can remove the flash port. Looks pretty cool 🙂
Best regards
Marcelo
lxmike
M2 fan.
many thanks, l thought at £10 it was worth the gamble, obviously l will get it serviced but might run a film through first to see what the results are like
lxmike
M2 fan.
cheers, just pondering who to send the leica too for a service
lxmike
M2 fan.
Erik is there a link for the thread regarding leica lettering, l cannot seem to find it
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I think that the idea that excellent fake Leicas abound is a little over rated.
Most fake LTM Leicas are re-labelled Zorki 1 or Fed 1 and can be easily spotted from yards away, most if not all would not have a slow speed dial and try to pass off as a Leica II or maybe a Leica I .
This day and age fakers would not try to pass off a Japanese Leica copy as a Leica, be it a Nicca/Tower or Leotax or Tanack or a super rare Melcon or Chiyotax or Honor, as these are sought after as they are and bring more money as is than minty actual Leica III or IIIa
Most fake LTM Leicas are re-labelled Zorki 1 or Fed 1 and can be easily spotted from yards away, most if not all would not have a slow speed dial and try to pass off as a Leica II or maybe a Leica I .
This day and age fakers would not try to pass off a Japanese Leica copy as a Leica, be it a Nicca/Tower or Leotax or Tanack or a super rare Melcon or Chiyotax or Honor, as these are sought after as they are and bring more money as is than minty actual Leica III or IIIa
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Meister Camera Hamburg had some black III's for sale on eBay, they all but one sold today for about $900 a piece.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Leica-III-M...ause-122395-/283051597376?hash=item41e7309e40
Erik.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Leica-III-M...ause-122395-/283051597376?hash=item41e7309e40
Erik.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
lxmike
M2 fan.
lxmike
M2 fan.
lxmike
M2 fan.
lxmike
M2 fan.
obviously l will post some pics on arrival after the camera has had a light wipe down with an appropriate cloth
Dralowid
Michael
Looks like the top has been retouched or repainted. Hope it will respond to cleaning.
Regarding fakes, apart from exotic things like the 250 I have never seen a faked 'ordinary' III...have you?
Regarding fakes, apart from exotic things like the 250 I have never seen a faked 'ordinary' III...have you?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I've seen lots of fake I and II's, but never a III, certainly not in black.
Erik.
Erik.
