Leica Standard or Leica I

[raid]

Yes, you are right, Erik. The rewind knob can be pulled up. Such old cameras are a lot of fun to investigate.

 

[David Hughes]

To me the early ones were simply the Leica...

The advert is from a 1929 magazine.

I have seen ones with the twin accessory clips (as they were called) but domestic duties stop me searching for it. Sorry about that...
Regards, David

PS And the usual film for them was Perutz; not many people know that...

 

[raid]

Thank you, David. If you one day have the time to look for the information on Standard camera with twin accessory clips, please do.

 

[raid]

 

[David Hughes]

Thank you, David. If you one day have the time to look for the information on Standard camera with twin accessory clips, please do.

Hi,

The model Ic came with two accessory clips, also called an OEGIO. It was made from 1949 to 1952 but had the blank cover instead of the slow speed dial. So we are none the wiser. (Two were also a feature on the If and Ig.)

OTOH, the Ur Leica also had two clips and that suggests it was something the factory and dealers knew about it and could offer it when needed. Or you could be amazingly lucky.

I don't know your opinion, or anybody else's, but I have often thought that there were dozens if not hundreds of non-standard Leicas made and non-standard bits and pieces for them. Over the years you see all sorts of weird things turn up...

I'm sorry I can't help more.

Regards, David

 

[Sumarongi]

I think I can see two little bumps in front of the second shoe —— I guess these are the remnants of the original finder's fastening?

 

[raid]

Hi,

The model Ic came with two accessory clips, also called an OEGIO. It was made from 1949 to 1952 but had the blank cover instead of the slow speed dial. So we are none the wiser. (Two were also a feature on the If and Ig.)

OTOH, the Ur Leica also had two clips and that suggests it was something the factory and dealers knew about it and could offer it when needed. Or you could be amazingly lucky.

I don't know your opinion, or anybody else's, but I have often thought that there were dozens if not hundreds of non-standard Leicas made and non-standard bits and pieces for them. Over the years you see all sorts of weird things turn up...

I'm sorry I can't help more.

Regards, David

Hi David,
In what sense did you mean that I may have been lucky here? Is my camera "maybe" a "rare model"?

You are most likely correct about having many non-standard Leica cameras around.

 

[raid]

I think I can see two little bumps in front of the second shoe —— I guess these are the remnants of the original finder's fastening?

I see them too. So maybe someone removed the 5cm VF and placed there a second accessory shoe. Why? When? By whom?

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I've always looked at old Leica's in the same manner as old Porsche's. They're rebuildable since they are hand made to a certain extent. The big difference is that with a Porsche you can get a CoA and know how it came from the factory. A Leica, well, they could be modified over the years too but unfortunately I don't think you can get a CoA to know exactly how it came from the factory.That's a pretty cool little camera you have there, Raid. Thanks for posting better pictures of it.

 

[raid]

Thanks. I have not used the camera for a while, but I am eager to load it with some film and go for it again. The history may remain a secret, which is fine.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I see them too. So maybe someone removed the 5cm VF and placed there a second accessory shoe. Why? When? By whom?

I guess this was done to use the camera with a wide angle lens, 35mm or 28mm. One of the clips was used for the viewfinder and the other for the rangefinder. The rangefinder was mounted vertically. With the 50mm finder still in place and the rangefinder in the accessoryshoe the camera could only be used with a 50mm lens.

Also a VIDOM (universal finder) could be used in one clip and the rangefinder in the other.

With two clips the camera is much more universal than with one clip and a fixed 50mm finder. It is WW1 technology but will work fine.

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

Another area worth exploring might be presentation cameras but presented to people retiring from the factory. I've seen FED versions and, but nothing to do with this thread, presentation handguns with a full set of tools as a retirement present.

OTOH (1), if there are two bumps then it sounds like a post sale modification.

OTOH (2), an unknown, or forgotten, Leica prototype did turn up as in Hans-Günter Kisselbach's ebook:-

https://lhsa.org/2018/04/book-review-barnacks-first-leica-by-hans-gunter-kisselbach/#myaccount

I just wish a solid, printed version was available.

Regards, David

 

[raid]

I guess this was done to use the camera with a wide angle lens, 35mm or 28mm. One of the clips was used for the viewfinder and the other for the rangefinder. The rangefinder was mounted vertically. With the 50mm finder still in place and the rangefinder in the accessoryshoe the camera could only be used with a 50mm lens.

Also a VIDOM (universal finder) could be used in one clip and the rangefinder in the other.

With two clips the camera is much more universal than with one clip and a fixed 50mm finder. It is WW1 technology but will work fine.

Erik.

I find having 2 accessory finders to be very useful for use with wide angle lenses. Using a RF is also possible. Someone told me at some time that this modification may have made my Standard less original.

 

[Erik van Straten]

OTOH (2), an unknown, or forgotten, Leica prototype did turn up as in Hans-Günter Kisselbach's ebook:-

https://lhsa.org/2018/04/book-review-barnacks-first-leica-by-hans-gunter-kisselbach/#myaccount

I just wish a solid, printed version was available.

Regards, David

There is, I have it, it is called "Barnacks Erste Leica" and is written by Hans-Günter Kisselbach in 2008. It is in German. Makes a wonderful read. Many wonderful pictures. Maybe it is still available in Germany. Just try.

ISBN 978-3-89506-282-7

Erik.

 

[raid]

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5620163.Hans_G_nter_Kisselbach

Barnacks Erste Leica.: Das Zweite Leben Einer Vergessenen Historischen Kamera
by Hans-Günter Kisselbach

 

[lxmike]

A nice very capable camera

 

[raid]

I have a IIIf and a Tower35. They are also very nice cameras to use.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi David,
In what sense did you mean that I may have been lucky here? Is my camera "maybe" a "rare model"?

You are most likely correct about having many non-standard Leica cameras around.

I wish I knew; the more I learn about Leicas the less I know.

BTW, the shutter button on your one makes it very early but, as has been mentioned, where's the hockey stick infinity lock? I hate to say it but I feel it ought to be stripped down in the search for other clues...

Regards, David

 

[raid]

No way, David! This camera will stay "clothed" and stay unstripped! It is not a valuable colelctible item.

 

[Sumarongi]

BTW, the shutter button on your one makes it very early but, as has been mentioned, where's the hockey stick infinity lock? I hate to say it but I feel it ought to be stripped down in the search for other clues...

Dear David,
if the serial # 160933 is correct (and not some Russian or American Leica-faker's joke), then it's made in 1935 — no hockey stick; see: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Leica_Standard
In how far do you find the shutter release button strange (or particularly old) looking, David?