Leica Standard or Leica I

[Erik van Straten]

Minus 10 degrees C.

Leica III black-and-nickel, Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY, split-grade print on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

Just don't do it. The silvery metal will melt and disappears.


Erik.

Have you tried? Peter at CRR had some success with the process.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Have you tried? Peter at CRR had some success with the process.

Yes, I ruind a top plate of a II. I heated it a bit after I retouched damaged paint.

Peter at CRR is the only person in the world - maybe with Ottmar Michaely - who can do such a thing with success.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

Ah, bad luck! I cannot think of anything else with woods metal filled engraving, I guess it was just too expensive to use on anything except cameras.

I guess an experienced old time jeweller might be what we need.

 

[mcfingon]

Black and nickel III's are incredible users. Much underrated. They have a much better rangefinder than the II's and are nice to carry around with a thin leather strap attached to their strap lugs.

Erik.

I agree Erik, in that I use the III more than the IIIf, which is theoretically easier to use, having a closer VF and RF windows. There is something about the III, other than its appearance, that makes it really nice in actual use. The rangefinder is very sharp as you say, adjustable for my long-sightedness and the viewfinder is extra bright too, not having to go through a prism. I think it's a little steadier for me to hold too as the VF is further to the right and I rest more of the back of the camera on my face, finishing up with the bottom left corner on my upper lip. I'm in danger of licking the darn thing like Raid was joking about...
John Mc

 

[Erik van Straten]

O yes, the III's have much more endurance than the IIIc's and IIIf's. Their inner construction is indestructable, completely different from the IIIc and IIIf. It is as if you compare a Landrover with a Citroën 2CV.

You can disassemble a IIIc or IIIf in a few minutes. With a III you are busy a lot longer.

Erik.

 

[raid]

I would not heat up my camera! It is too risky.

 

[raid]

Minus 10 degrees C.

Leica III black-and-nickel, Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY, split-grade print on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

The poor Heron was in the cold! Great image, though.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks, Raid!


Many shutters do not work right in the cold, but the Leica shutter ...



Erik.

 

[johannielscom]

That must have been a factory conversion to those two accessory shoes, Raid.

• The second shoe is a Leitz model as well but it slightly differs from the original one in design. Yet, both the screws and the shoe itself are the correct-gloss Leitz paint. And, the screws are covered in the paint.
• Also, the shutter speed dial and the bell shaped housing underneath look a lot newer than the rest of the top plate (the shutter dial has no edge wear, like the film advance and rewind).
• Finally, the lens mount is a lot newer.

The resulting camera is identical to a Leica Ic, which was designed for scientific use, connecting it to microscopes etc.

It is impossible to have all this done by anyone else than the factory, I'd say. That would likely mean that someone like mr. Lager can get to the factory records on the conversion.

 

[raid]

This is good to know. Johan. Thanks! You made good observations here.
Then most likely, someone got Leica to do the modifications then. The shutter fires off even smoother than in my M3 or M6. At least, it feels this way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ref: http://vintage-camera-lenses.com/leica-ic-codeoegio/

The Leica IC (not to be confused with the Leica I Model C) was a scientific Leica manufactured between 1949 and 1952. The Leica IC is based on the Leica IIIC, except that as a scientific camera it does not have a viewfinder or a coupled rangefinder and it does not offer slow speeds. Scientific cameras were used for photomicrographic and photo reproduction purposes, often in a combination with a microscope. Hence a viewfinder was not required, instead scientific Leicas have two accesory shoes enabling to attach an external rangefinder (Leica Code: FOKOS) and viewfinder (e.g. Leica code: SBOOI for 50mm frames). When using the external viewfinder and rangefinder it is possible to use the Leica IC just like a normal non-scientific Leica. The Leica IC was eventually replaced in 1952 by the Leica IF.

The Leic IC was the first scientific Leica replacing the Leica Standard

Leica Code: OEGIO

Weight: 379 g

Baseplate length: 13.7 cm

Total Production: 12 000

Shutter range: 1/30; 1/40; 1/60; 1/100; 1/200; 1/500 and B

Previous Leica Model: Leica Standard

Following Leica Model: Leica IF

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is impossible to have all this done by anyone else than the factory, I'd say. That would likely mean that someone like mr. Lager can get to the factory records on the conversion.

The question is: is this a conversion or have all the 450 1 Standard cameras two accessory-shoes.

We will know the answer if we can locate another 1 Standard camera from this batch.

Erik.

 

[raid]

Good call, Erik. Is it difficult to find another 1 Standard from this batch of 450 cameras?

 

[JB-Dancer]

There are 2 batches of 1 Standard cameras making 650 in total.
camera serial no's 142501 - 142700 in 1934 (200 cameras)
camera serial no's 160701 - 161150 in 1935 (450 cameras)

 

[raid]

Where would we best look for one next?
Where is there a list with SN in which "I Standard" is listed?

 

[raid]

I will contact the Leica expert on the history of Leica cameras next. I will ask him if my Standard Leica was modified by some individual outside the factory or whether he is aware of Leica having modified some Standard Leica cameras. Oliver Kaltner, the past Leica CEO, he kindly gave me the name and contact information of the historian.

 

[JB-Dancer]

Hello Raid,
The book "LEICA-THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS" (Second Edition) by G.Rogliatti, published by Hove Camera Foto Books, pages 129 to 141 contain the list of Leica camera serial numbers that list the two batches of Leica 1 Standard cameras.

 

[raid]

Thanks! This is good to know that such a variation actually exists in the books. Maybe, there are are 750 examples of such a camera.

 

[David Hughes]

Where would we best look for one next?
Where is there a list with SN in which "I Standard" is listed?

Also, Denis Laney's "Leica Pocket Book" by Hove Foto books and "Leica Accessory Guide" as before.

These are two small, slim pocket books and jammed solid with facts and figures and photo's. Easily available and dirt cheap in Britain but your side of the pond?

And I thought every true Leica user had them...

Regards, David

 

[raid]

😀:bang:

I must be a fake Leica user, David!
Thanks for the information on the books. I will search for a copy.