Leica lll serial number

[Mazzamark]

Hi,

I have a leica lll, it was my uncles camera i'm sure it is a Leica lll but has serial no 15591 its black with a 50mm 3,5 lens
from what I've read I'm not sure of the model year etc, could anyone help please,

Thanks

Mark

[/IMG]

 

[ray*j*gun]

http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm

Try that link.

 

[Mazzamark]

Thanks, I'm still a little confused as its only 15000 not 150000 serial no if that makes sense? What would you value the camera and lens at? Thanks Mark

 

[NeeZee]

This will give you a hint, what this one sold for at various camera auctions in the last few years. As yours looks 'average' in condition, I'd say 500-600$.

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-III-(Mod.F)-black.html

 

[NeeZee]

at most... could well be only 400$.

 

[HuubL]

This will give you a hint, what this one sold for at various camera auctions in the last few years. As yours looks 'average' in condition, I'd say 500-600$.

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-III-(Mod.F)-black.html

I would say it's above average. If functional and the lens is clean I would value it at 600-800 us$. In Europe it could bring that amount in euros.

 

[Mazzamark]

Thanks for the info, id say it was in good condition, lens is clean and works well, I was selling it for £500 but I might keep it 🙂

 

[HuubL]

It's a family relic. Keep it!

 

[johannielscom]

That camera is a Leica I conversion. It was a Leica I made in 1929 (Link: http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm) and has been updated to a Leica IIIa.

It may very well have it's orginal lens! The lens is an Elmar 3.5/50mm the early nickel model with the 11 o'clock infinity stop. It does not have an infinity lock. The infinity lock on the Leica I was a 'hockey stick' shaped lever on the body. The later 'native' screw mount lenses had an infinity lock attached to the lens flange but this lens is likely a conversion from a lens that had a flange which was permanently attached to the camera body, to a detachable lens in M39 screw mount.

I'm hoping Erik van Straten and Dralowid will be chiming in to confirm my observations, but I'm pretty confident I got it right😀

All in all a kind of a one-of-a-kind combination😉 and a family heirloom so if you are at all considering to keep it, I say go for it and load some film!

 

[Mazzamark]

Ahhhh! I knew there was something different about the camera. Thanks!

The problem is my uncle collected so much stuff I have to sell some of it!

I might just try some film. Does the fact it's a conversion detract some value or does it add?

Many thanks!

 

[HuubL]

Johan is right about the upgrade from a I, but it was converted to a III, not a IIIa (the IIIa has 1/1000as shortest speed). Also the lens was upgraded to screwmount. I believe Johan has one similar, with a smaller diameter screwmount plate than the screwmount of the camera. I don't think that the fact that its an upgrade makes it more valuable, although perhaps an upgrade collector might think different.
It's a very pretty camera and it deserves to be used!

 

[oilman930]

The camera is a Leica I conversion, but to a III, not a IIIa.

From the picture, it looks like the top shutter speed is 1/500, the IIIa went to 1/1000.

It looks like a nice camera, go use it.

 

[Dralowid]

Great camera and yes, others have nailed it in my (often erroneous) opinion.

A couple of observations:

The shutter release collar seems a bit 'coarse' may be later.

The return on the diopter adjustment is of the larger type, which to me implies an earlier conversion.

Whatever, with that paint finish barely brassed it is very nice.

Michael