Dunk
Established
The case needed repair (see new stitching) thus took it to local saddler who has done an excellent repair job. One reason the case was split was that it had been used with the Dallmeyer Septac lens which was slightly too long for it and had pushed the front out. The case is probably more scarce than the camera. A case
of prudent restoration 
But with the collapsible Daron lens fitted the camera fits the case quite nicely
The case required extensive stitching as can be seen from the new thread.
Dallmeyer Septac fitted ... Daron lens is tiny in comparison
Daron lens fitted ... Septac lens is 'front down' to show the "interrupted thread" which enables the LTM lens to be quickly bayoneted to the body ... not to be confused with the inner focusing helicoil.
Rear views ... at the time the Witness camera was made c. 1951 the Leica M3 was not in production (although the M3 prototype shutter had been patented in 1934)
Camera is much better balanced with the collapsible Daron lens attached. With the Septac lens fitted the camera will not sit without tipping forward.
Have yet to find a Dallmeyer Super-Six f1.9 2" lens as fiited to most Witness cameras. They do turn up occasionally in LTM but seldom by themselves with the 'interrupted thread."
Thanks for looking.
Cheers
dunk
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Silva Lining
CanoHasseLeica
Wow! a rare thing indeed... Are you intending to use it at all, I'd be interested to see some pictures from the Daron...
Dunk
Established
Photos taken with the Witness using both lenses are part of an ongoing project and will be posted in near future. Need to find some lens hoods to fit beforehand.
Cheers
dunk
John Robertson
Well-known
Hi Duncan
Showing it off eh!!
Nice one, I'm off down the Foca road these days.
John R
P.S. did you ever get an Advocate?
Showing it off eh!!
Nice one, I'm off down the Foca road these days.
John R
P.S. did you ever get an Advocate?
Dunk
Established
Yes John, Showing off the Daron lens
... And yes I have an Advocate now ... see reply in your Advocate thread in Scale 35sCheers
dunk
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xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
the Ilford Witness should win the most handsome camera award.
it might even beat the Nikon SP in the looks department.
it might even beat the Nikon SP in the looks department.
Dunk
Established
Do you think there is a bit of Ilford Witness shape in the Leica R8?
Cheers
dunk
Cheers
dunk
John Robertson
Well-known
That is a beautiful camera.
Do you have some photos with those lenses that you can post?
Do you have some photos with those lenses that you can post?
Dunk
Established
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
That is a stylish camera, I bet the Minolta A rangefinder engineers took more than a cue from this.
And what a name... who would've think of it?
And what a name... who would've think of it?
R
rpsawin
Guest
Wow...what a treasure. Thanks for sharing.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Very attractive camera.
Thanks for showing me something I'd never seen before.
Thanks for showing me something I'd never seen before.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Beautiful camera...The leather case is just as nice...I would buy and use this camera just to show off the case...
It's good to read that others find this to be a very nice piece of photo gear...
It's good to read that others find this to be a very nice piece of photo gear...
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Every time I see the Witness I am struck by the design. As mentioned above it's right there with the SP for being a real looker
Nice, thanks for sharing.
Kent
Nice, thanks for sharing.
Kent
John Robertson
Well-known
The huge pity is that so few were made, in comparison with the Reid, which is still relatively easy to find and which, although nice and beautifully made, is just a slavish copy of a Leica.
I was offered a nice Witness at Morgan Cameras in Tottenham Court Road, when I worked in London in 1976, for £300 together with a Dalmeyer 135mm lens in the correct mount. I remember how beautifully finished it was and how clear the R/F appeared. It was too much money for me then and I didn't want to put it on my credit card. Oh how I wish I had.!!
I was offered a nice Witness at Morgan Cameras in Tottenham Court Road, when I worked in London in 1976, for £300 together with a Dalmeyer 135mm lens in the correct mount. I remember how beautifully finished it was and how clear the R/F appeared. It was too much money for me then and I didn't want to put it on my credit card. Oh how I wish I had.!!
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vashti
Newbie
ilford witness
ilford witness
Dunk. Forgive me if I am not observing the correct protocol but I am absolutely new to any forums. I am anxious to connect with anyone with knowledge of the Ilford witness and every search seems to point me into your direction. If you can help with two points please. Firstly I am at a complete loss as to where I can find the serial number on the camera body. In addition to this I am interested to know whether all witness cameras came in the high quality leather covered velvet lined wooden box which mine is in. I look forward to your kind help.
ilford witness
Dunk. Forgive me if I am not observing the correct protocol but I am absolutely new to any forums. I am anxious to connect with anyone with knowledge of the Ilford witness and every search seems to point me into your direction. If you can help with two points please. Firstly I am at a complete loss as to where I can find the serial number on the camera body. In addition to this I am interested to know whether all witness cameras came in the high quality leather covered velvet lined wooden box which mine is in. I look forward to your kind help.