Leica IIIc?

[lowcountry]

Please let me know any information on my Leica. It was passed on to me from my father which I believe he purchased late WWII/ Korea. It's serial number is 432711. It has a timer dial and a Summitar lense # 658090 f=5cm 1:2. The manual wind has two windows with ASA in red and numbers in black. Will keep and pass down just need a history to go with it. Thanks

 

[flashover]

Hi the camera serial number indicates a 1946/47 production IIIc. The lens is a 1948 by the serial number. Can you post a photo? Timer? could that be the slow speed dial on the front?

 

[Terry Astor]

There is mention of "two windows" on the winding knob. If the serial number indicates a post war IIIc, then it must have been factory converted to a IIIf, don't you think?
Regards
Takis

 

[flashover]

The timer dial thoughs me. A photo would be nice.

 

[lowcountry]

Pictures are uploaded Thanks

 

[FrankS]

The red dial/black dial distinction did not occur until the IIf/IIIf cameras, and it refers to the flash sync delay numbers, not to the film/speed reminder dial.

As flashover posted, the serial number indicates that it is a IIIc. I don't think they came in different versions. (My Leica book is at home.)

 

[VictorM.]

It's a IIIc converted to a IIIf black dial with selftimer. And it's very dirty.

 

[Ash]

give it a dusting, and get it cla'd... then go take photo's!! 🙂

 

[raid]

My IIIc has a smaller shutter speed selector dial than what's on the Leica III posted here. Also, there are no numbers 1,2,3,...20 around the shutter speed dial. Thirdly. my IIIc has no timer.

Mine has SN:480xxx

Raid

 

[Ash]

For reference, my IIIc:

 

[flashover]

It's a IIIc converted to a IIIf black dial with selftimer. And it's very dirty.

I think Victor has got it. The serial is for a IIIc but the camera is configured like a IIIf.

 

[VictorM.]

I suspect conversions were once common, but more to add slow speeds and flash cord sockets than anything else. Here's a quick scan of the inside of the dust jacket of an old copy of the Pocket Leica Book:

 

[xayraa33]

if that camera had an earlier serial number and had the war time hump where the rewind lever is, it could have been a rare IIId , with that self timer, albeit the ST was of a slightly different pattern on the IIId.

 

[Ronald M]

Yes it a conversion from a c to f with self timer added. A c model has a shutter dial 2/3 this size and no flash sync indicated by the delay numbers around the f type shutter speed dial.

Get it cleaned up and use it. Put a partial roll thru it first to see what may be wrong. My c had pin holes all over the shutter that could not be seen. The rubber silk deteriorates over time.

Scare up a lens shade as the Summitar is prone to flare, otherwise nice.

Do not clean the lens surfaces improperly. These lenses had very soft coatings and will scratch if you do not do it properly. That means removing dust with a blower or brush and then cleaning with lens tissue or microfiber cloth moistened with cleaning fluid. Do not apply fluid directly to lens. After one cleaning, keep your fingers off and the blower treatment should be all that is necessary. A lens can carry a lot of debris before pics are effected.

My Summitars have uv filters that live on the front.

 

[reagan]

It was passed on to me from my father which I believe he purchased late WWII/ Korea.

Hey lowcountry, Welcome to RFF!

And what a great gift - congrats. Yep, it needs a little TLC which I know it'll get. Sure, I'd wipe it off, load a cheapy roll of film in it and take it out for a test drive. Hang around here awhile and you'll find out lots about the ol' Leica!