Leica I (A) lens rendering

[Jaans]

I have a number of questions regarding this camera and the three lenses that originally came with it.

So, are there any dedicated photographers here using the Leica I (Model A) non-interchangeable camera introduced for the commercial market in 1925, with either the 50mm Anastigmat, Elmax or Elmar lens?

Apparently there were 59,000 examples of this camera produced up to 1932. Apparently the earlier Anastigmat and Elmax models were produced in limited numbers (approx. 1500 each) compared to the Elmar. Bit of a shot in the dark but has anyone compared results with these? Or even a wilder punt, have examples^^?

It was 'upgraded in 1930 by the Leica (Model C) with the interchangeable capacity. (I am not lecturing here, just repeating information ascertained from the net).

If so, how do these fixed uncoated lens on this Leica I render subjects?

I have been fascinated by these late 1920's early 1930's Leicas. I learnt rangefinder system on a Leica IIIC with 2.8 elmar and the experience taught me a lot about metering and the rangefinder system in general. I guess that it would be quite a leap from a camere with a built in rangefinder like the IIIC to an earlier Leica I.

So, does anyone use this camera on a daily basis? Due to the difficulty in focusing, is it left on the shelf as a hobby camera?

Also, are they expensive? Do the first two models with the Anastigmat and Elmax cost a lot more?

Also, these Leica I use scale focusing - am I correct? So, they would take a real sharp sense of distances to obtain correct focus.

Also, I read on photo.net that the Leica O commerative model that was released a few years ago has one of the best Leica lens attached to it, in terms of resolution etc Anyone using this model? How is that lens?


I hope to open up some discussion on this early Leica I (model A). I am more interested in it than the Leica I (model C) that came after it with the interchangeable lens capacity. The idea of a little fixed lens pocketable camera appeals to my sentimental side, but I don't want to be overcome by sentiment at the same time!

Cheers,

Jaans

 

[burninfilm]

Bringing up some discussion about the early Leicas sounds like a good idea to me!

Yes, the Leica I is a scale-focusing camera. However, they were often sold with an accessory rangefinder attachment, which allowed the user to get an accurate measurement of the distance to the subject, and then transfer this setting to the focus ring on the lens. The beauty of the Leica II was incorporating a rangefinder inside the camera body, and removing a step from the process of taking a photograph. In fact, advertisements from the period called this coupling the rangefinder to the len's focus "automatic focusing." Without an accessory rangefinder for the Leica I, you will have to guess the distance, and you'll likely get good focus in most daylight conditions (as the DOF of the lens will cover up any minor focusing errors).

The earlier Leica I cameras with Anastigmat and Elmax lenses do sell for quite a bit more than the comparitively common Elmar equipped versions.

If you are simply wanting to try out the uncoated glass, pick up some uncoated lenses and use them on a Leica II, III, or even an M2, M3, etc. You should be able to find some nice uncoated 50mm Elmars for a good price, and you'll still have a nice rangefinder equipped camera body (and it'll probably cost you less, too, versus buying a collectible Leica I).

If you are simply wanting to add a little nostalgia to your workflow, there aren't many cameras that can provide it as well as a Leica I. Just know you can get similar results with early uncoated Leica lenses on more modern camera bodies.

I have no experience with lenses like the Elmax, and I hope some users can contribute some samples.

 

[Jaans]

Hey Burninfilm - thanks for that input. I agree with you about the Leica II being much more convenient with the built in rangefinder. Actually, in terms of design aesthetics, I have always thought that the original Leica II or Leica IID as some call it to be the epitome of classic camera design. The sleek black styling without the annoyance of the slow shutter speed is just classicly cool to say the least. And the tunnel vision provided by the viewfinder feels like your on the set of a Chaplin film.

Now, I wonder how that earlier Anastigmat lens on the 1925 Leica I compares to the commerative version that was recently released. That recent lens on the O just gets rave reviews from user reports.

That earlier Anastigmat for me at least is somewhat of a mythical creature/goddess that I have yet to lay my fingers on.

I hope someone has some examples of this or the Elmarex^^ 😎

Cheers

 

[Dwig]

...
Yes, the Leica I is a scale-focusing camera. However, they were often sold with an accessory rangefinder attachment...

Very true, as evidenced by this June 1926 E. Leitz NY ad placed in "The Camera".

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=121598&ppuser=32754

The ad shows a Leica A (Leica I) w/ Elmax lens along with the FODIS rangefinder. The wording at the lower center of the ad treats the camera and RF as a unit. I don't know if E. Leitz NY sold it as a bundle or as separate items. The copy reads "Anastigmat" but the pictured camera has an Elmax, which is an anastigmat class lens by design.

 

[tonyj]

Early Leica non rangefinder cameras for super nostalgia types.....

Early Leica non rangefinder cameras for super nostalgia types.....

Hey Jaans, a neat thread .... at least I hope it will be, if others join in. 😉

I recently spent some time looking for a 'suitable' (affordable, but hopefully having some potential) Leica '1' (A) camera. The nostalgia bug had bitten me too.

I scoured the 'usual' forums for all available examples.

An Anagstigmat lens version with a very early serial number and in good working order, heads the list as the most expensive Leica film camera, and is still available at the moment. The asking price is just shy of $US100,000! This is a lot of money whether in Euros, pounds, guilders or whatever.

It looks to be very special, but is way out of my league. For me it was a thrill just to look at it and drool over, but it remains only a dream. (As I say, it's still available if you are interested).

I found many other examples and from many countries, - and in various states of preservation or disrepair. Many seemed to have been poorly repainted, some had scratched or chipped glass, others had what appeared to be signs of rust in evidence, especially on the inside when viewed with the bottom plate removed. Some were just paper weights.

It is really important to be able to see inside the camera, as moisture will play havoc with old mechanical devices. Make sure they photograph the interior if you attempt to buy one online. This way you can check the general interior condition of the camera and see if the take up spool is still in there as well. Look for replacement, 'suspect' or missing parts by comparing one camera to another.

The early 'mushroom' style shutter release ones tend to be a little more expensive, usually because they carry a lower three or four digit serial number. The 'later' style button, whilst still a 1(A) of course, can be slightly cheaper, but are often still manufactured before 1930. The later button does however allow the use of a cable release, which I think may be a nice feature to have.

Prices varied from a few hundred dollars for obvious clunkers, up to five or six grand for some better looking examples. Many sellers will 'sugar the pot' with leather cases (usually tired looking, but nice to have), clip on range finders or other trinkets.

No-one offered actual examples of photos taken with any of the cameras that I checked out, not even the $100,000 camera. Most sellers will state that these are sold as 'collectibles' only. Not hard to understand why.

Ask lots of questions, even silly ones.

My plan was to find the 'nicest' one I could, - given the circumstances, not easy, - pay for a CLA (clean, lubricate and adjust), then take it from there.

I am currently in the throes of doing this.

Good luck in your search to find examples of a working Anastigmat or Elmax, or even an Hektor. For me, I hope to be trying out my Elmar lens soon. A result of any kind will make me incredibly happy.

Christmas is just around the corner, and a little bird has whispered to me that my wonderful wife may have a surprise present under the tree for me. The same little bird has told me that it just may be a camera, and one made by Leica and having an 'Ananstigmat' lens. The 'Null' series perhaps?? 🙂 Wow, I hope so .....

Anyway, that's another story.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica 1A, Elmar 50mm f/3.5, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb. Focused with the aid of a FODIS.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica IA, Elmar 50mm f/3.5, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica IA, a late 1930 model, fully functional. Great sharp lens.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

 

[Erik van Straten]

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica IA, Elmar 50mm f/3.5, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

 

[sepiareverb]

Erik, have you ever shot with the O Serie? Curious how the lenses would compare. I love shooting with the O, and find the lens very nice, much like the latest Elmar-M in a lot of respects.

 

[Dralowid]

Anastigmat vs Elmar.

I still use an early Leica I with Elmar, sn 10xxx. Results are fine and similar to any non coated Elmar from the '30s but beware of flare, a hood certainly helps. The camera is great as a 'package' and focussing is much less hit and miss than one thinks.

A few years a go I sold an Anastigmat lens that had been factory converted to ltm (looked just like an Elmar). Results from this lens were frankly almost indistinguishable from an Elmar. History has it that the Anastigmat was expensive to manufacture (extra element) hence the change to Elmax and finally Elmar.

I think there are still plenty of fixed lens Leica Is around in bad cosmetic condition that can easily be made to function flawlessly and become really rewarding cameras to use, a lot more fun than a replica.

Michael

 

[Erik van Straten]

Sepiareverb, I have never shot with the "0". I think Leica outsourced the production of this thing to the Ukraïne. I publicized this idea on RFF - very much to the anger of the Head Bartender - and I still think it is true. The lens is doubtless OK and the cameras are also reliable, but a real old Leica I is much more fun and cheaper too.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

Erik,

I agree with you. There are thousnads of old Leicas out there waiting to be used. No need for a replica (wherever it may come from). I get a kick out taking pictures with a machine that is over 70 years old...and the results are satisfying. The Leica I is one of the easist to use. Others that I try and use regularly are the Contax I, whose ergonomics cannot match those of the Leica, and the Super Nettel which is exquisite but showing the ravages of time.

Michael

 

[Keith]

From my 1930 1a with fixed f3.5 Elmar 5cm. They're an amazingly sharp lens and the camera is a pleasure to use!

 

[Jaans]

Dwig and Tonyj - thanks for that input.

Tonyj it is amusing the games that Leica collectors are fond of playing! I particularly enjoyed your reference to the earlier mushroom style release as being more expensive than the later ones.

It just seems to me that with almost every model of camera or lens that Leica has released there is this amazing little insider world to be found, with slight differences in for example the plating - chrome vs nickel or paint vs enamel etc That is the wonderful and wacky world of Leica I guess.

I also saw an anastigmat Elmar I on ebay last nite when I was scouring the internet - it was at photoaresnal for $97,000US! I was shocked to say the least. And the funny thing is that the seller is so arrogant that they only provided one photo for such an expensive camera. Of course that money is out of my budget, hence it falls in that mythical breed of camera that I doubt I will ever get my paws on to fondle and fawn over.

Your advice about the worry of haze and so forth is very sound as visibility is cetainly reduced trying to see into the camera with a fixed lens.

I just checked westlicht auctions and they sold some reasonably affordable ones at their last auction, they were all with the Elmar lens and there was one with the Elmax lens. Apparently there were only 174 Anastigmat Leica I cameras produced and 1000 with the Elmax lens. The Elmax model sold for about 10,000 Euros if my memory serves me correctly.

All in all a fascinating read and thanks for contributing your advice and opinions.

Eric and Keith - thanks for taking the time to upload those wonderful photos. I particularly like how the Elmar lens renders those subjects with some wonderful intermediate grays. Eric your camera is a beauty and I am very envious just looking at it. I adore how the paint has rubbed of to reveal the brassing - it is simply superb.

The funny thing with zone focusing is used that system a lot with my Leica IIIC and pre-focused using the distance dial on my 2.8 Elmar. I knew when it was 1.5-2meters by feel position of the little knob. It certainly sharpens your skills for snapshots and lets you focus on composition. I love the look of the simplicity of that tiny viewfinder at the top. Pure styling!

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Jaans]

I forgot to say that I also read on the net that the newer Anastigmat had 5 elements as opposed to the earlier one, or vice versa. The new lens gets big wraps/kudos but it is not exactly the same as the 1920's version, which is a shame I think. With prices where they are for the Leica I, they are perhaps out of reach for many people, including myself.

 

[Luddite Frank]

One note of caution on the Leica "Nullserie" as a user: it comes with a tiny lens cap, leashed to the camera body; this is for capping the lens after each exposure , before winding-on to the next frame. The early Leica did not have a self-capping shutter, nor does the repro.

This makes the Nullserie ( O ) a bit more challenging to use.

 

[David 11084]

A lovely thread!
I thoroughly enjoy my 1928 1A. Scale focusing isn't so bad. I am, looking for a Fodis to aid this process but am in no rush. I find the cost of film and processing a pain but love the camera! My DSLR is gathering dust! I think I was won over by sentimentality too but he-ho, such is life and I can live with it. Does anyone else love the smell of these cameras? Sur the shutter click is quite something and they are so solid but the smell as the body is lifted to the eye!
If you have a 1A or aspire to own one-post something! Thanks Jaans!
David