Leica screw mount factory conversion question

[FrankS]

You know how there were 2 basic body styles, reflecting different manufacturing processes, for the Leica screw mount cameras? The earlier cameras had a separate top plate from the body of the camera, and the later ones were manufactured/cast in one piece.

My question is, did the Leica factory do upgrades on early body styles, converting these cameras into the later body style. From, say, a llla to a lllf, for instance.

Just curious.

 

[Livesteamer]

Don't think so. To go from IIIa to IIIc you throw out the IIIa and build a new IIIc. You could get you IIIa or other early Leica converted to a IIIa with IIIf style flash sync. Joe

 

[FrankS]

Thanks Joe, I didn't think so either. Just checking.

 

[xayraa33]

They are very different cameras Frank.

The body shell is 1/8 " shorter on the III IIIa IIIb than the IIIc/IIIf

Even the slow speed escapement is different, heck it is even slightly different on IIIf BD vs RD.

Other than adding a IIIf type dial flash sync to a IIIa , IIIb that would be the extent of what would be the "main meat" of a conversion.

 

[FrankS]

Yeah, I mis-read a thread on Pnet where someone had a llf with what I mis-read as a lla serial number.