Leica Standard or Leica I

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks, yes it is a great piece, very good for portraits. All the engravings on this lens are Woods metal.

Erik.

 

[raid]

What was special about the black cameras and lenses that made Leica use this special engraving method?

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Right, just black paint in the engraving.

Based on what Erik has said about the engraving, your chrome Standard should not have such metal engraving. "The black pre-war Leicas have such engravings, not the chrome ones."

 

[Sumarongi]

BTW: Wood's metal —— the original recipe —— is quite toxic, hence it's recommended to *not* lick your camera or lens clean 😉

 

[raid]

BTW: Wood's metal —— the original recipe —— is quite toxic, hence it's recommended to *not* lick your camera or lens clean 😉

Oh No! Now you tell me not to have been licking my black camera all the past years! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😱😱

"toxic because it contains lead and cadmium, and therefore contact with the bare skin is thought to be harmful[citation needed], especially in the molten state. Vapour from cadmium-containing alloys is also known to pose a danger to humans. Cadmium poisoning carries the risk of cancer, anosmia (loss of sense of smell), and damage to the liver, kidneys, nerves, bones, and respiratory system. Field's metal is a non-toxic alternative.

The dust may form flammable mixtures with air."

"It is a eutectic alloy of 50% bismuth, 26.7% lead, 13.3% tin, and 10% cadmium by weight."

 

[Erik van Straten]

What was special about the black cameras and lenses that made Leica use this special engraving method?

I think esthetics, when new, those engravings must have been sparkling in the black paint. A wonderful effect. There would have been no effect on chrome or on nickel.

Erik.

 

[raid]

I may have an old (black) Leica Elmar 9cm 4.0. It may then have some fancy engravings!

 

[Erik van Straten]

I may have an old (black) Leica Elmar 9cm 4.0. It may then have some fancy engravings!

Maybe, but often there are ordinary engravings in black on nickel (or chrome) rings on those lenses.

Erik.

 

[rodt16s]

This type of engraving is called Woods metal (there are also other names for it), it is a very expensive type of engraving in the metal that is filled with a hot, liquid metal, a mixture of lead and silver. This liquid metal solidifies as it cools and then forms the engraved numbers, letters and signs in a positive (convex) relief. This process has not been used for a long time and it is now impossible to imitate. The black pre-war Leicas have such engravings, not the chrome ones. This type of engraving can no longer be copied nowadays. So when your prewar black Leica has such engravings it can't be a fake.

Erik.

Erik,

I always thought Woods metal was a very low melting point solder - an Alloy of Bi/Pb/Sn/Cd
This would make it easier to melt and fill in the engraving at <100 degC also being a eutectic it will go from liquid to solid at a specific temp and have no pasty region. Not sure what flux would be used
If Pb/Ag depending on the alloy % the melting pt would be significantly higher.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik,

I always thought Woods metal was a very low melting point solder - an Alloy of Bi/Pb/Sn/Cd
This would make it easier to melt and fill in the engraving at <100 degC also being a eutectic it will go from liquid to solid at a specific temp and have no pasty region. Not sure what flux would be used
If Pb/Ag depending on the alloy % the melting pt would be significantly higher.

I really don't know technically anything about this.

In the Leica LTM-thread here on RFf there is a whole discussion on Woods metal from several years ago; some very interesting technical details come up for discussion there.

Erik.

 

[raid]

 

[Dralowid]

Surely that second shoe is a later addition? The screws for the viewfinder are still in position.

(apologies if someone else has already pointed this out)

Re Woods metal, look for the old thread, bismuth (or bismut) is mentioned.

 

[raid]

The removal of the 5cm finder and the addition of the second accessory shoe could have been done by anyone or by the factory for someone.

 

[raid]

My regular set for the Standard: Canon 19/3.5. The lens is an awesome lens overall. There is no need to focus each time.
I set the aperture at 8.0 most of the time anyways.

 

[mcfingon]

I think this pic of my III with my 1951 IIIf shows the 3D effect of the Wood's metal engraving that Erik was talking about on the earlier Leica, and the more silver less creamy look of the chrome plating compared to the nickel.
John Mc

 

[raid]

Both cameras are beautiful, John. From which year is your III?

 

[mcfingon]

1933, Raid. First year of that model I believe.

 

[Dralowid]

If you are very brave...

I understand that if you heat the 'woods metal' from behind you can get it to melt while staying in the engraving. When it dries it will be as it was when new.

I can imagine this working, the melting point is low and presumably lower than that of the paint around it.

If I could find a 'cheap' Leitz accessory to have a go on I would try but have yet to come up with anything. Ideas?

Just don't try it and then blame me for the resulting disaster!

 

[Erik van Straten]

If you are very brave...

I understand that if you heat the 'woods metal' from behind you can get it to melt while staying in the engraving. When it dries it will be as it was when new.

I can imagine this working, the melting point is low and presumably lower than that of the paint around it.

If I could find a 'cheap' Leitz accessory to have a go on I would try but have yet to come up with anything. Ideas?

Just don't try it and then blame me for the resulting disaster!

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

There are no cheap accessories with Woods metal as far as I know.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I think this pic of my III with my 1951 IIIf shows the 3D effect of the Wood's metal engraving that Erik was talking about on the earlier Leica, and the more silver less creamy look of the chrome plating compared to the nickel.
John Mc

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.