Leica I Finder Lenslet or finder needed !

[David Murphy]

I am restoring a Leica I. Everything is restorable except for the small squarish objective lens on the front of its (external) 50mm finder, which is smashed. Does anyone have a any idea where I can get either a spare lens or a spare finder ? My repair guy is looking, but I told him I would too. I have seen some fake Leica I's on eBay with similar finders -- not an ideal solution, but probably acceptable, although I don't want to buy a complete Russina fake Leica I just to take off the finder (about $200). I know I can use an auxillary finder on the cold shoe, but I am trying to achieve authenticity. Thanks in advance as to any tips as to a solution! -- David

 

[Jerevan]

Well,

I found this one, but the price is (probably) insane:

Leica IA viewfinder

Maybe DAG Camera Parts has some spare parts or any idea of how to fix this.

 

[David Murphy]

Finder Spare

Finder Spare

That new-old-stock finder is a real beauty -- pricey though !

I managed to get a spare lenslet from DAG today for $50 -- more in my budget range and I'm thrilled to have it (he said he only had one!).

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Jerevan]

Always glad to be of service... 🙂 Why don't you post a picture of the camera when it's restored?

 

[David Murphy]

Unfortnately the saga continues with my Leica I (A). My technician craked the replacement lens when attempting to install it. I don't blame him as he is taking on the repair of a 76 y/o camera on a best-effort shared risk basis, and he always does excellent work. I contacted DAG to see if they have another lens. The good news is that the camera is now generally overhauled and working.

Just for fun I'll run a roll of drugstore film through it to test it and post the results here along with photos of the camera as you suggest. This is a camera made before the invention of color film, so this should be interesting.

Incidentally I plan to sell the camera -- perhaps here or on eBay. I do collect somewhat, but not quite at Leica I (A) level of seriousness !

 

[payasam]

David, lenses are not used only in photography. If you know the focal length you need, and the height, width and thickness...

 

[David Murphy]

Leica I (A) (Finder, etc.)

Leica I (A) (Finder, etc.)

Payasam,

Yes I know a little about lens specifications -- I design optics as part of my professional responsibilities !

What makes this lens special is its form factor -- it is rectangular. In any event, I got another exact replacement from the fabulous DAG Camera and the Leica I (A) is now repaired and listed on eBay. It is a beautiful camera, but unfortunately not such a practical camera, and I need the money.

 

[payasam]

David, the front element of the Leitz 35 mm finder I had was rectangular: plano-concave, if I remember right. The lenses of all of my four pairs of spectacles were circular to begin with, but none has that shape now. Anyhow, good that you got what you wanted -- although in #3 DAG was said to have had only one of them.

 

[David Murphy]

Hi,

He had one of them when I went to him initially, then later he acquired two more in stock. I don't where he gets them or how, but I'm darn grateful for it !

--David

 

[David Murphy]

Yes, well one could in theory grind a piece of glass for any shape and it is done all the time in glass working shops. If you want to machine parts, and make custom glass just about anything kind of camera restoration is possible. This sort of thing is done with all sorts for small volume high-end industrial machines that need to be kept working over the decades (airplanes, ships, factory machinery, etc.), but the economics must work out.

 

[payasam]

Agreed. Not worth it when dealing with a Leica I, hundreds of thousands of which come off the assembly lines each day in a dozen countries. All right now, poker face time ends. I can't make out if the lens is an Elmar or an Elmax. Must confess I haven't any notion of the physical appearance of the second.

 

[David Murphy]

It's an Elmar. The serial number indicates this was made in 1930, the year they introduced the Elmar.

 

[David Murphy]

You can see an Elmax at http://www.geocities.jp/dental2l/412910.jpg

 

[payasam]

OK, David, and thanks for the URL.

[EDIT] A body with such a low serial number and slow speeds? Upgrade or fake?

 

[jkelly]

Here's another. If there were an Elmax on that camera, in that condition, it would be worth in excess of $20K, since only 1000 were ever made.

 

[John Shriver]

That Elmax in the first Elmax picture is probably real, just that the model I was upgraded to a III. I don't think any Elmax's were originally made in interchangeable mounts!

 

[Ken Ford]

In any event, I got another exact replacement from the fabulous DAG Camera and the Leica I (A) is now repaired and listed on eBay. It is a beautiful camera, but unfortunately not such a practical camera, and I need the money.

It's a shame you didn't list it here first...

 

[David Murphy]

I am just testing the waters here with the classifieds, so I have not tried posting a really expensive item yet. The ebay auction can be cancelled up to the last 12 hours. I am open to offers -- try me.

 

[Ken Ford]

Sorry, too much like car shopping - "what would it take for you to buy this car right now?"

How about you telling us a price?

 

[David Murphy]

Ken,

As you wish.

One of these just completed on eBay, item #7622936569. It sold for $1451.03. Mine is in better condition mechanically, about the same cosmetically, but I would certainly accept $1400 especially coming from a reliable buyer here on RFF. Regard that as a starting point at least for negotiation.

-- David