Leica IIIa shutter speed dial

[msteen1314]

I just received a Leica IIIa need some assistance.
The model serial # is in line with the Leica IIIa however, the top shutter speed dial does not look like any other IIIa dials in as much as it has a pin protruding from the top (between the 100 and 200) as though it was supposed to inter-lock with a light meter for example.

The dial also has a a recess that show the shutter speeds. This means that the dial has knurling that is twice the thickness.

Can anyone shed light on this. has the dial been swapped out from a later model.

Any assistance would be appreciated

Martin

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Welcome aboard.

I'm sure you'll get a lot of help and advice in answer to your query but dare I suggest a photograph of the mystery item? It will help a lot of us who have no idea what it is but who are curious...

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

Although I am not certain from your description (as David says, please post a picture) this may be something to do with one of those flash sync accessories that attached a cam to the shutter dial that hit a contact on a unit in the accessory shoe.

 

[xayraa33]

Could it be that the dial has a pin for a flash sync attachment?

 

[msteen1314]

Sorry, should have done this first

 

[maxmadco]

I do not know what it is but I have an old Tower camera that has the same dial.

 

[Mudman]

I've seen something similar on cameras that used to use a special doodad for synching flash to the shutter.

 

[Pioneer]

I have never seen anything like that before but it sure looks neat.

 

[johannielscom]

I've seen something similar on cameras that used to use a special doodad for synching flash to the shutter.

This.

It was indeed part of a flash sync, the other part slipped into the accessory shoe on the camera, and the flash mounted on top.

In your first picture you can see a little nub screw on the side of it, loosen that and the whole ring with pin comes off and you are left with an 'ordinary' dial 😉

 

[msteen1314]

Thanks for your reply johannielscom.

In looking online, I was able to find something called a Geiss Flash Kontakt. It is a two part contraption that had a pc socket attached to a cold shoe and a disc with a pin that attaches to the shutter speed dial.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-GEI...A-Leitz-NOS-/351381037311?hash=item51cff120ff

The knurled ring was attached to the original flat ring with the two small screws. It looked so complete that I assumed it was part of the dial.

 

[David Hughes]

Sorry, should have done this first

Hi,

Not to worry. And as you're on your third post managing to post a photo or two is quite an achievement. It took me months to manage.

Anyway, we've learnt a little more and a mystery has been solved.

Regards, David

 

[Monochrom]

Sorry, should have done this first

Interesting accesory. The securing screw is so big that resembles a cam, as said earlier it might have got another slip in part for the cold shoe.

I remember an accesory like a cord with a ring that was set in the advance knob in order to make it faster.