Leicas maunfactured in 1938

[vfrazz]

I'd like some information, please...in 1938:

*which leicas were manufactured during that year?
*which of those was the smallest?
*is there anything particularly outstanding with any of the 1938's?

*what lenses were manufactured in 1938?
*is there anything particularly outstanding with any of them?
*I understand that lenses of this era were generally low contrast, but with distinctive signatures...yes?

I've done some searching, but as usual I've seen conflicting information...what say, RF?


www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com

 

[dexdog]

the following link is a start, serial number production dates by year for the Barnack bodies. Looks like the list for 1938 includes the I, II, III, IIIa and IIIb

http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm

 

[FPjohn]

Try the local library and check either the 7th or 8th Hove Leica Pocket Book.

yours
FPJ

 

[vfrazz]

DexDog...wow, that is some list!, more than what I've seen elsewhere, and looks like this is going to be a very complicated project...

FPjohn...we have a nice little library here in Bristol, Maine, but with nothing as esoteric as Leica books...

 

[johannielscom]

If I had to guess what caused this specific question, I'd say you're looking for a birth-year Leica...😉

Very often, Leica bodies have lenses on them that are dated earlier. Seems they had a good stock of lenses, in the past I've speculated that they would train novices in assembling lens barrels before having them work on bodies.

I'd look for a 1938 body with a 1936-1937 lens on it (preferably a documented or even first-owned original combo) with Tamarkin, Youxin Ye or in the classifieds here. There's certainly other reputable sellers that I have no knowledge of.

Once you find it, can we see shots? :angel:

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The range also depends on what country you live in. The catalogue for "Leitz NY" are slightly different in the line up to the "Leitz London and Wetzlar". (Also the London one had colour samples in it and the NY was all B&W, from memory.)

I think England still had the IIIa in and NY had the IIIB but this is from memory as I got rid of all the foreign (NY) staff a while ago.

Regards, David

 

[vfrazz]

...you got it Buzzardkid...January 1938 in Bridgeport CT (USA)... born and raised, though I moved on as an adult, and here I am in Maine...the project is to visit Bridgeport for a few days or a week come late Spring, photographing with a teary eye whatever is left standing from my day.

And thanks for the lens information.

 

[FPjohn]

DexDog...wow, that is some list!, more than what I've seen elsewhere, and looks like this is going to be a very complicated project...

FPjohn...we have a nice little library here in Bristol, Maine, but with nothing as esoteric as Leica books...

Interlibrary loan.

Leica Pocket Book

Publisher: Hove Books; 6th Revised edition edition (Dec 31 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1874707219
ISBN-13: 978-1874707219

Publisher: Hove Books; 7th Revised edition edition (Oct 23 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1874707340
ISBN-13: 978-1874707349

Admirable project.

yours
FPJ

* my sig image is of a IIIb built in 1938/1939. Consider a 50mm brightline finder to go with your lens selection.

 

[vfrazz]

FPJ:...spectacular!...didn't think of interlibrary...thanks...V