Leica LTM Leitz Xenon on ebay

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I've been burned a number of times with ePrey sales that state that they have no knowledge of what they're selling. When I thought I got a good deal, the lemon in the mail was pretty rotten. As painful and slow as it was, I was glad I paid w/PayPal in order to settle it all out and get my money back.

But more on topic: I have a Xenon with the original metal container, and front cap. The glass inside is pretty etched up, to the point I can't think of a single use for the lens except for an "extra glamour" look. When it was sold to me that was said up front (even though it wasn't exactly described, it was certainly and unequivocally understood the optics had an issue).

I've kept it for two reasons: I'm hoping one day the offending element can be replaced (when I sent photos to Sweeney he gasped, so I really haven't pursued it since), and the other is that it's just so damn cool (and heavy).

I know that regardless of its state (it is otherwise functional in every other way, and you can take photos with it), somebody someday may want to get it.

But saying "there's something inside which looks funny, but I don't know anything about it" is a huge red flag. Or two.
 
Dralowid said:
But have you seen this....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370622493...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1192

It looks like a contradiction in terms to say the least...scary and no screws!

Michael
Click to expand...

Nice, but in a funny way...

No serial number anywhere, no screws, and the knob surfaces look 'off' somehow.

Looks the whole camera is more of a matted zinc model than a brushed chrome model, like the early FED camera's.

Maybe it's a really rare (read: valuable) prototype! 😱


😛
 
I'd like to know what that mark or groove is in front of the serial number. The TH lens was what interested me...

Regards, David
 
According to the serial for the Leitz Xenon lens by Taylor-Hobson, the lens was produced between 1939 to 1944. Using The Taylor-Hobson serial number series. If you use the Leitz serial number system, the lens comes up being made in 1936. Which one is right, I don't know.

The camera serial number shows it as a Leica IIIa from 1935.

Happy bidding!
 
Johan,

If that lump of junk I posted turns out to be the remains of one of the very rare early FED copies of a Leica I engraved later to sell as a Leica, I will surely scream...but I won't and it isn't...I think.

Birdwatchers say that one should first assume that the bird that you are looking at is common and obvious until proven otherwise.

Back onto David's original topic, am I correct in saying that the Xenon is optically the same as an uncoated Summarit? And is there something about the number of knurled rings affecting value?

Michael
 
Xenon has minimal aperture f9, Summarit f16. Those lens are definitely not the same.
I have both, uncoated.

Dralowid said:
Johan,

If that lump of junk I posted turns out to be the remains of one of the very rare early FED copies of a Leica I engraved later to sell as a Leica, I will surely scream...but I won't and it isn't...I think.

Birdwatchers say that one should first assume that the bird that you are looking at is common and obvious until proven otherwise.

Back onto David's original topic, am I correct in saying that the Xenon is optically the same as an uncoated Summarit? And is there something about the number of knurled rings affecting value?

Michael
Click to expand...
 
oilman930 said:
According to the serial for the Leitz Xenon lens by Taylor-Hobson, the lens was produced between 1939 to 1944. Using The Taylor-Hobson serial number series. If you use the Leitz serial number system, the lens comes up being made in 1936. Which one is right, I don't know.

The camera serial number shows it as a Leica IIIa from 1935.

Happy bidding!
Click to expand...

Xenon 1.5 production started in '36 as far as I know...
 
David Hughes said:
I'd like to know what that mark or groove is in front of the serial number. The TH lens was what interested me...

Regards, David
Click to expand...

It looks as if some engraving might have been obliterated. The original owner's name? Or a property number? It's pretty deep, though; perhaps too deep for that to explain it.
 
From what I remember Royal Navy markings appear in the same place as the obliterated bit on the top housing. I remember seeing one that was ex HMS Exeter (River Plate?). On lenses I think they would normally be round the outside of the mounting somewhere. But although the lens is in feet, I doubt a camera supplied to the services would have a retailers name on the underside. It would have been a hugely expensive lens at the time.

Michael
 
Dralowid said:
From what I remember Royal Navy markings appear in the same place as the obliterated bit on the top housing. I remember seeing one that was ex HMS Exeter (River Plate?). On lenses I think they would normally be round the outside of the mounting somewhere. But although the lens is in feet, I doubt a camera supplied to the services would have a retailers name on the underside. It would have been a hugely expensive lens at the time.

Michael
Click to expand...

Hi, During the war the major dealers seemed to have been asked to gather, check etc quality 35mm cameras for the war effort. So it could have been a second-hand one supplied to the RAF, RN etc.

AP-July-1943-XL.jpg


Regards, David
 
This seller seems to have acquired a large collection of Leica cameras and bits but has scrupulously avoided making any claims at all about them. I am not sure whether the ignorance is genuine or assumed but the buyers seem happy.
Among the lots he has sold recently was a collection of Leica bits that included three FOOKH Summaron-Elmar 3.5cm lens hoods, a FISON Elmar 5cm lens hood described as "silver colour bits" and several other lens and body caps etc that sold for £41.
This is the kind of ignorance I appreciate, though sadly I missed that auction.
 
Been looking into this further, Xenon and Summarit optical design appears very similar and both covered by the same T&H patent number.

As Vobluda says, min aperture changes.

Early Xenons, three knurled rings, later four. Rare in nickel (can't tell on the Ebay example). Total production 6,190.

Michael
 
Sold for GBP 280.

Nice price, considering that was a first-year Leitz Xenon, from a production of 165 pcs only in 1936... 😱 according to Laney.

With likely the original body attached. And the possible UK Navy connection...

Let's hope it gets fixed up and put back into action again. Anybody here get it?
 
attachment.php


From the Leica Pocket Book, 6th edition, 1995.



Michael,

seems the Leica User Forum is also including the Taylor and Hobson copies, while Laney is not. The Leica forum lists over 6,500 made before the war, while Laney includes post-war lenses and still only gets to 6,100 lenses made.

Quick reasoning, somebody might prove me wrong.
 

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