Leica LTM Leica Screw Mount Conversions - Show Yours

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
If you have the intention to use the camera on a regular basis, it certainly would be nice to have it cleaned etc. It can be at least as smooth as any other Leica. Maybe the springs of the shutter are too tight now. A really clean camera needs less tension of the springs.

Erik.
 
Excellent information again, thanks Erik. I do intend to use it regularly, so I will have it serviced. I can use my IIIc and IIIf while waiting impatiently. I like the way the III has a more direct viewfinder light path, even if the rangefinder and viewfinder windows are further separated. It's noticeably brighter than my other two later Barnacks.
 
mcfingon said:
. I like the way the III has a more direct viewfinder light path, even if the rangefinder and viewfinder windows are further separated. It's noticeably brighter than my other two later Barnacks.
Click to expand...

I also found this to he the case when comparing my overhauled iiia and iiic. The iiia has a clearer VF.
 
Just received this! Not my first Barnack, that was a IIIg, but sold it after entering the M world. Always loved the early black/nickel models, and really thought the factory upgrades were interesting. So here's what I ended up with! Serial #39977 puts it as a Leica I or Standard? Pre war factory upgrade to IIIa spec, and an export model to boot! Un numbered nickel Elmar. Couple of things though I wanted to run by you guys. At 1000th the speed dial doesn't 'sit' in its place. Shutter sounds good, but I know it needs a CLA, maybe that would solve this. Also the latch on the base plate is chrome. Would this happen at the factory? The knob on the rewind select is also chrome.

Leica I to IIIa Conversion by Todd Pinder
Leica I to IIIa Conversion by Todd Pinder
Leica I to IIIa Conversion by Todd Pinder
Leica I to IIIa by Todd Pinder
 
The font of the serial number on top and the words "OPEN" and "CLOSE" on the baseplate looks unfamiliar to me. Probably the conversion was done in the US.

A black IIIa is very rare. I think Dralowid (Michael) has one of those, also a conversion. Lets wait what he's got to say.

Originally it was a Leica I, of course.

I would like to know if the engraving is in Woods metal or filled with paint. I can't see it from the pictures. If it is in Woods metal the conversion is certainly pre war. Also the speed knob suggest that.

Could be that it is a III and not a IIIa and that the speed knob is a mismatch, but nickel IIIa speed knobs officially do not exist!

For the "dog leg" baseplate catch I have no explanation. A very strange camera indeed.

Erik.
 
The "Germany" font is so nice. 🙂

The baseplate lock seems odd, though. All my cameras (from III to IIIb to IIIc) have a rounded handle. This one looks more like the ones on the IIIf cameras.
 
Interesting camera, I need to think this one through in the morning but in the meantime here is an old pic of mine (with a nickel dial)...other differences obvious. Will dig the camera out tomorrow and reply more fully.

Correct me if I'm wrong but on the alleged 1/1000 on a IIIa the dial doesn't drop as far down as it does on other settings.

Michael

IMG_1459 by dralowid, on Flickr
 
analoged said:
Just received this! Not my first Barnack, that was a IIIg, but sold it after entering the M world. Always loved the early black/nickel models, and really thought the factory upgrades were interesting. So here's what I ended up with! Serial #39977 puts it as a Leica I or Standard? Pre war factory upgrade to IIIa spec, and an export model to boot! Un numbered nickel Elmar. Couple of things though I wanted to run by you guys. At 1000th the speed dial doesn't 'sit' in its place. Shutter sounds good, but I know it needs a CLA, maybe that would solve this. Also the latch on the base plate is chrome. Would this happen at the factory? The knob on the rewind select is also chrome.

Leica I to IIIa Conversion by Todd Pinder
Leica I to IIIa Conversion by Todd Pinder
Leica I to IIIa Conversion by Todd Pinder
Leica I to IIIa by Todd Pinder
Click to expand...

An Elmar 50 mm with the "7 o'clock" Infinity lock should have a serial number: look on the blackened brass bezel of the front lens element, the bit that is just inside the aperture-setting tab... the numbers are tiny. Is the lens's distance scale in Meters or Feet ?
 
Really love this site and thread! Thanks so far for everybody chiming in! So I'll just respond in the same order you guys did.

Erik, Woods metal for engravings for sure. Serial number is thicker/higher than the other engravings.

Michael, Yep it locks in place, but doesn't drop like others speeds.

Frank, No serial #, distance in feet.
 
Here is another black IIIa, long since sold. Note the engraving of the serial number. I think this was a UK conversion but the camera was a melange of a few...

IMG_1770 by dralowid, on Flickr

As far as I understand it conversions and modifications could be carried out at Leitz NY, Leitz Mortimer Street, London and obviously the factory. Although various dealers around the world added their own engravings I do not think you could have had a camera 'converted' in, for example, South America. I would love to be proved wrong!

We've seen top housings appear for sale from time to time without the serial number but with everything else engraved which helps to support the above.

Back to Todd's camera. Can we assume that it is a pre war NY or UK conversion? I think so. Blank top housing sent from factory with serial number added locally.

The odd base plate (which must be later) has quite simple engraving though this is similar in style to the serial number.

As always there are a few 'assumptions' in the above, it is my best guess, happy to be proved wrong (said that twice now)!

Michael
 
Sherry is excellent but she does not like screw mount Leicas. She did one for me a few years back. It took quite a while and from our phone conversations I gathered she does not like the screw mount cameras. DAG is excellent but busy. There are likely many places that could work on this. And yes, that's an interesting camera. Joe
 
Dralowid said:
Here is another black IIIa, long since sold. Note the engraving of the serial number. I think this was a UK conversion but the camera was a melange of a few...

IMG_1770 by dralowid, on Flickr

As far as I understand it conversions and modifications could be carried out at Leitz NY, Leitz Mortimer Street, London and obviously the factory. Although various dealers around the world added their own engravings I do not think you could have had a camera 'converted' in, for example, South America. I would love to be proved wrong!

We've seen top housings appear for sale from time to time without the serial number but with everything else engraved which helps to support the above.

Back to Todd's camera. Can we assume that it is a pre war NY or UK conversion? I think so. Blank top housing sent from factory with serial number added locally.

The odd base plate (which must be later) has quite simple engraving though this is similar in style to the serial number.

As always there are a few 'assumptions' in the above, it is my best guess, happy to be proved wrong (said that twice now)!

Michael
Click to expand...

Hmm...I'm a bit puzzled here. Why would one need to replace the topplate on a IIIa? (most other conversions seen here had there topplate exchanged since it would have to give room to a flash synchronizer)
 
Conversions

Conversions

I do not know if this was posted here before but though it may be of some interest.
DSC00116.jpg
 
Ron (Netherlands) said:
Hmm...I'm a bit puzzled here. Why would one need to replace the topplate on a IIIa? (most other conversions seen here had there topplate exchanged since it would have to give room to a flash synchronizer)
Click to expand...

The OP's camera was originally a Leica I so would need a new top housing for rangefinder etc when converted to a IIIa.

Maxmadco, great document. For those who are interested the post war factory conversion price list was posted ages ago on this thread...I can't find it...
 
analoged said:
So, would this be a IIIa conversion? Also, need to get a CLA, I'm thinking DAG would be the choice. How about Sherry for Barnacks?
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Yes, both yours and mine, 39977 and 28304 are Leica I converted to IIIa

102506 started life as a Standard, then became a II and finally a IIIa.

Strange that a repair person would not like to work on LTM cameras. They are simple to service, parts are fairly easy to come by and the work could be done quickly.

Michael
 
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