Leica LTM Leica Screw Mount Conversions - Show Yours

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Unfortunately such a conversion destroys the value of the original camera.

A 4 digit original Leica I is nowadays a very valuable camera, even with a fixed Elmar. Just look at the Westlicht auctions. I sold the cameras that I had under s/n 10,000 a few years ago and made a surprising amount of money.

Having said that a black conversion such as those above with a 'nice' number is on its way up the value ladder apace. Again see the Westlicht auctions.

From memory, in Michael's camera museum in Melbourne there is a very nice conversion of a three digit camera to a Leica III of some sort. Whatever it is it represents something of Holy Grail.

I don't chase serial numbers but sometimes I do come across a conversion that is wortha frction of the original.

Michael
 
Beautiful Ron...CONGRATS
post some pixs taken by her...🙂

I'm puzzled about my 1938 III
converted in the 50's to 1000, sync, and painted Black
so what is 'she' Considered now ...a IIa sync, a IIIF..?????
 
helenhill said:
Beautiful Ron...CONGRATS
post some pixs taken by her...🙂

I'm puzzled about my 1938 III
converted in the 50's to 1000, sync, and painted Black
so what is 'she' Considered now ...a IIa sync, a IIIF..?????
Click to expand...


Just 'Helen's camera' should be sufficient! 😀
 
helenhill said:
Beautiful Ron...CONGRATS
post some pixs taken by her...🙂

I'm puzzled about my 1938 III
converted in the 50's to 1000, sync, and painted Black
so what is 'she' Considered now ...a IIa sync, a IIIF..?????
Click to expand...


Most dealers would probably list it as " Leica III, converted to IIIf."

Still kind of a bitsa; while the 1/1000 shutter speed and flash sync give it the qualities of a IIIf, it still has the smaller, built-up body shell of the III; does it still have the "divorced" RF - VF windows ? If so, then I would say "more III than f "...
 
Luddite Frank said:
Most dealers would probably list it as " Leica III, converted to IIIf."

Still kind of a bitsa; while the 1/1000 shutter speed and flash sync give it the qualities of a IIIf, it still has the smaller, built-up body shell of the III; does it still have the "divorced" RF - VF windows ? If so, then I would say "more III than f "...
Click to expand...

Part of the conversion was the complete exchange of top- and baseplate and shell: so my guess is these cameras have the same dimensions as a IIIf. Thats why these conversions were so expensive at the time.

And yes, it still has the old separate viewfinder and rangefinder windows, and they have not the (one part)topplate of the IIIc/IIIf. Therefore these Leica's are quite unique since they were never sold as a genuine camera, however because of the conversion a new Leica type emerged.

I wonder whether Leitz kept records of converted Leicas.

Ron (Netherlands) said:
As said before in this thread, there are no f conversions, .....
Click to expand...

I was a bit too quick with this answer and have to correct this with regard to the f conversion: :bang: of course a Leica IIIc could be converted in a IIIf by adding the flash sync, that was probably the most regular conversion.

Concerning the Leica II conversion: show goes on at the Leica forum site:

...and this very rare and very beautiful factory conversion at the LUF:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/attachments/leica-sammler-historica/237421d1293807513-graue-iiic-iiic-bk-jpg
 
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Sync or no Sync postwar conversions

Sync or no Sync postwar conversions

I was talking with someone who knows a lot about older Leicas ...

They are of the opinion that the non sync versions such as the one recently illustrated from Leicashop pre-date the sync versions and were available from late pre-war years, ie from around the beginning of IIIc production.

I'm talking about the black cameras with higher tops, slightly protruding accessory shoes and the large flat area around the shutter dial. (They are NOT black IIIcs)


This is news to me and I am not sure I agree since I had assumed that both were offered at the same time ...and have seen a price list with both on at the same time.

Any comments?

Michael
 
Dralowid said:
I'm talking about the black cameras with higher tops, slightly protruding accessory shoes and the large flat area around the shutter dial. (They are NOT black IIIcs)
Click to expand...

I think synched and non-synched conversions could be ordered at the same time, the non-synched conversions being much rarer because a synch was a much desired feature in the fifties. In fact in the post-war era the addition of a synch was the prime reason because of wich a conversion was undertaken.

These conversions were also made with a IIIc logo, the "standard" logo before the introduction of the M3. These conversions are very uncommon, but they do exist.

Erik.
 
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Hi Erik,

I must say I agree with you but it was Peter at Leicashop who made the observation and he is experienced in the field.

Regarding the logo, can you illustrate what you mean about the IIIc logo?

All the best

Michael
 
It has however no protruding asseccory-shoe.

Did you see the screws that hold the top plate above the strap lugs? It still has it's old top plate!

Erik.
 
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Hi Erik,

Indeed a very interesting camera which would, maybe, suggest a conversion done before the advent of factory synchronisation and after the end of 'Woods Metal' type engravings, changing far fewer parts than the later ones.

I'll post a picture later of an earlier conversion to IIIa which will illustrate more differences.

Thank you very much for taking the time to post this

Michael
 
I to IIIa. A well used (!) prewar example of a conversion, now brought back to life. DIY release collar and non original covering.

Michael
 

Attachments

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Looking at some of these conversions, it would appear the lug the base plate hooks onto has been upgraded to the larger size. Mine still has the smaller original lug (and vulcanite). I guess they replaced the whole shell and baseplate on some conversions?
 
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