goamules
Well-known
Hi, I found this Leica I (a) recently. It has a 1930 serial number, and a number-less Elmar lens. What attracted me was what appears to be a very old vulcanite covering OVER what seems to be lizard or snake skin.
Was lizard/snake ever a factory option, other than the LUX? I'm wondering if this is a hidden treasure, or just run of the mill Leica 1. Thanks!
Was lizard/snake ever a factory option, other than the LUX? I'm wondering if this is a hidden treasure, or just run of the mill Leica 1. Thanks!
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Very odd indeed!
I can't tell, but the black vulcanite seems to fit well relative to the top and bottom plates -- in other words: Does it appear the vulcanite is over the thickness of the lizard skin covering? I hope I make sense.
I can't tell, but the black vulcanite seems to fit well relative to the top and bottom plates -- in other words: Does it appear the vulcanite is over the thickness of the lizard skin covering? I hope I make sense.
goamules
Well-known
I know what you are asking. It does seem like the lizard/snake area is the same thickness as the vulcanite....i.e. the vulcanite is not covering more lizard/snake. But hard to be sure. Looking with a loupe it's almost like there was a little arch-shaped piece of lizard/snake put around the bottom cover pin.
oldwino
Well-known
Without seeing the rest of the camera, it looks to me like that was a repair attempt. As in, I don’t have an exact match for this piece of missing vulcanite, but I do have this nice leather I can patch in there.
goamules
Well-known
Yep, some leftover from a Leica Luxus I'm sure....
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Very nice! Is the lens clear? Usually the lenses of these cameras are fogged, but the fog can be removed.
Erik.
Erik.
Dralowid
Michael
There was a calf skin (leather) covered version but I have never seen one...and this is not it.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
goamules
Well-known
The lens looks clear, but I haven't taken it off. Shutter seems to work too, but hard to tell without taking the lens off! I assume you just take the 2 screws off?
Oh, one thing that bothers me. See how there is "fresh" brass threads showing, at the front of the fixture around the front lens element? What goes there? Is it missing a bezel? Does that hold the glass in (mine seems secure), or why are those two sets of thread there?
Oh, one thing that bothers me. See how there is "fresh" brass threads showing, at the front of the fixture around the front lens element? What goes there? Is it missing a bezel? Does that hold the glass in (mine seems secure), or why are those two sets of thread there?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I've seen that too. It can mean that the lens is recently serviced, but I don't think it is very smart to have a shiny piece of metal next to your front lens. It looks however decorative.
Now I see the close-up. I think someone removed all the paint from the metal parts around the lens. The lens itself looks quite clean, wich is good.
Normally the filter thread is on the thick metal ring on the front. It looks like on this lens the filter ring is deeper inwards. Funny.
Taking the lens off is easy: remove the three screws. Usually there is a lot of shimming underneath, very important for the sharpness. You have to be careful with these screws. They go into the aluminium of the housing. When the threads in the aluminium are damaged, you have a big problem.
Erik.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I have a Leica 1a with a fogged lens and was wondering about that. Recommendations?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I do it myself. There is a manual for cleaning early Leica lenses by Nobbysparrow (available on eBay). This manual is very good, but nevertheless this cleaning operation is not easy.
Erik.
goamules
Well-known
I will probably not take the lens off. I just wanted to see the shutter curtains, shining a LED light through the front glass just shows reflections....I can't tell what's in there! But the shutter sounds very good. I took the bottom off, and if I point the LED just right, I can see the back of the camera on B, looking through the front glass in a dark room. I guess I can just shoot a $6 roll and see what happens!
goamules
Well-known
It cleaned up a little better. It's worn, brassed, ugly, and chipped. But is my only hockey stick model. Found at an antique market, I probably paid too much (a few hundred).
Dralowid
Michael
I would go ahead and give it a try.
As Erik has said, theoretically working on the lens is not difficult, however it is old and may well resist attempts to dismantle. Also the shims behind it may be small thin bits of paper, these sometimes fall apart.
So when testing, test for the obvious but also take shots at infinity to check focus.
As Erik has said, theoretically working on the lens is not difficult, however it is old and may well resist attempts to dismantle. Also the shims behind it may be small thin bits of paper, these sometimes fall apart.
So when testing, test for the obvious but also take shots at infinity to check focus.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Don't forget to cut the filmlip with the aid of a Filmanschneideschablone (ABCON).
The glass of your lens doesn't look bad. Should take nice pictures.
Erik.
goamules
Well-known
Yeah, I'll get a measuring tape out and try the lens settings at their various marks.
goamules
Well-known
I'll use the Swiss version of the film cutter, the scissors on their pocket knives!
David Hughes
David Hughes
I've noticed some leather covered Barnacks have a thick spacer behind the lens mount; so the question is:- is there one? Just a longshot...
Regards, David
Regards, David
Dralowid
Michael
The thing that I remember is that on an early I the vulcanite is machined and forms part of the distance between lens and film plane. This on camera 10xxx and also 12xxx
In other words the vulcanite goes under the lens flange and the screws go through it.
Now...this sets a hare running... does the vulcanite go under the flange on all fixed lens and non standardised cameras...and then it changes with mount standardisation to the later style with a cut out for lens flange?
Sounds logical but who knows?