Leica Manual (big red one .. )

[vha]

The ways of the gas often leads to some leica equipment (M6/rigid summicr/coll elmar 9cm) but as a bonus I got the Leica Manual by Willard & Leater, Ninth Edition (1943), in nice condition, the old smell of paper and a red faded cover.

I just love it ..

So now I have another item to look after in bookstores (2nd hand I say), any editions more interesting than others ?, sure all are good, but some better than others it must be . . .

Thanks.

vha.

 

[vha]

Can not believe that no one has any comment or something to say about it . . .
Just have to sit in my solitude and read the book then 😉

vha

 

[plummerl]

I have the 15th edition, 1973 (big black one ...), weighing almost 4 pounds. This one has some terrific articles and covers up through the M5. Great book!

 

[ZorkiKat]

Got the 1956 XIII edition. Would want to have the 1948 XII edition too.

Speaking of Leica books, Matheson's "The Leica Way" (Focal) is an excellent companion to the Morgan & Lester (or Lester and Lester?) Leica Manuals.

Another good book which I used to have were the "Pocket Leica Book" by Th. Kißelbach. Had two versions, one covered Leicas up to model IIIf and the other
included the M3. These disappeared from my bookshelf. 🙁

Jay

 

[reagan]

I just love it ..

Yeah, I picked up the 12th edition a while back in a flea market ... covers the Barnacks except for IIIG ... really fun, good info, great pics and most enjoyable articles by various photogs using Barnacks.

 

[reagan]

A little curious - since this thread began in Oct, I've picked up two "Third Edition" Manuals, one is 1938-39, the other 1940-41. Both are blue and have the same articles by the same various authors, but small changes have been made occasionally; an added or dropped paragraph here and there. Both have mostly the same pics with some few changes in illustrations. I suppose they are the "Third Edition" and the "Other Third Edition." 🙄

 

[jesse1dog]

I like the 1944 10th Edition. The smell of the paper and the general feel seems appropriate when you have an old Leica.
Not sure which editions have the biggest changes from those previous - somehow thought the 10th was very different to the 9th, but perhaps every edition constituted a big rewrite.
All good reading though.

 

[jesse1dog]

Mine is edition XIII with a supplement showing an M2 on it's cover page.
A wealth of info, but the musty basement smell makes reading less than the pleasure it might be. Anyone have an idea on getting the stink out?

When the dog 'inadvertently' pee-ed in my wife's working room she sprayed the whole place with something called 'OUST'. Eliminates odour - says the can! Obviously you can't spray the book directly but a waft above it whilst it is standing fanned open might work - and it might not.
Just a daft idea, that's all!
Well it is getting towards my bed time!

 

[timd]

Mine is edition XIII with a supplement showing an M2 on it's cover page.
A wealth of info, but the musty basement smell makes reading less than the pleasure it might be. Anyone have an idea on getting the stink out?

You could try sealing it in a plastic bag with some sodium bicarbonate for a day or so - that's normally quite effective at getting the musty smell off old camera gear.

 

[jarski]

leica manuals

leica manuals

related to this manual topic, is there any good web resource that has scanned copies (PDF's etc...) of those old Leica manuals? I presume its hard to find paper copies anymore.
I'm specifically looking some data for my recent purchase from ebay (Leica II), that dont come with any manuals with it.

 

[reagan]

"I presume its hard to find paper copies anymore."

There are several of these listed in eBay starting fairly cheap, but I'm not sure what shipping would be to Sao Paulo. Might be worth an inquiry.