Lens cap variations for A36

[Jerevan]

Does anyone know if lenses (an Elmar in this case) were issued with chrome or black paint lens caps in 1934?

I have a chrome III with a period lens (kept together with the camera since purchase in 1934) and I am looking for a more "correct" lens cap than the replica I have at the moment.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Early metal lenscaps are rare and expensive. Strange enough bakelite caps are more easily found. But watch out, they break easily when dropped.

Erik.

 

[Jerevan]

Thanks Erik,

I'll keep an eye out but until something shows up, I'll make do with the lens cap I have - at least it is functional and non-plastic. 🙂

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I wanted to get the right lens caps on my Leicas and FEDs some years ago and read a letter in a 1942 magazine that was rude about a previous article about the FED.

Eventually, after spending a lot of time and trouble on it, I managed to get a photocopy of the magazine article from what was the British Museum Library. It showed both a FED and a Leica IIIa with lenses and lens caps.

So here's some early Leitz lens caps in date order from the left.

The black metal one on the right came with a 1926 Leica, the middle metal one was traced on ebay and was as shown with the IIIa in the magazine photo's and the Bakelite one follows. I can't be more exact about dates.

Hope this helps.

Regards, David

PS (Edit) If you manage to find the right cap I'll suggest you never, ever take it out of the display cabinet as there's a chance of losing it. You'll understand once you've worked out what it cost in time and money. Stick to modified milk carton tops like the rest of us.

 

[Erik van Straten]

That chrome one is nice, David! The black caps in this form are definitely easier tot find.

Did you know there are two types of the black cap on the left? One has dull paint (earlier) and the other glossy.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is the first type of lens cap of the Leica I. Found on Leica No. 201. 1925.

(Of course we do not count the leather lens cap of the Leica 0.)

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

That chrome one is nice, David! The black caps in this form are definitely easier tot find.

Did you know there are two types of the black cap on the left? One has dull paint (earlier) and the other glossy.

Erik.

Hi,

No, you've got me there.

But I'd like to know when they dropped the red paint in the name on the metal lid to the FILCA tin or holder, and when the red cardboard boxes started/ended/changed from gold-ish to black print on the lid, or vice versa.

The trouble with all these little details is getting back to an original source, or a reliable source.

Regards, David

 

[Jerevan]

Thanks gentlemen!

I will continue using the replica I have, since the camera is to be used, and not kept in a drawer.

But maybe one day I'll find the right one to put in the empty drawer ... 🙂

 

[Dralowid]

caps188 by dralowid, on Flickr

I know nothing about styles and dates of lens caps but here are a few variations...it would be interesting to learn more. I did consider adding a couple of milk bottle tops to complete the range...

Top row, original, one repainted

Second row, original.

Third row, the Russians are here!

Fourth and fifth row, all fakes I think.

...and one of those rare Leitz accessories...

 

[chrishayton]

They made a domed one to fit with a 19mm Filter on the elmar too. Im yet to find one though.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Hmm, the one in the middle of the bakelite row hopefully isn't a fake as I have several of those ...

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The real puzzles are the blank ones like all of the above but I'm never sure if they are from the old USSR or else Leitz. I imagine a few slipped out without the names - whatever they were - from the factory; probably unofficially.

Trouble is turning them over and looking at the lining just adds to the problem. But they are dirt cheap to buy and very useful...

Now we need a thread like this for the lens end caps and the body caps.

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

Oops, nearly forgot; here's the FED version. Apologies for the flea market lens hood.

Regards, David

PS. I should have photographed it with a pre-war FED body to be more accurate but it's late at night and this is one of my stock pictures. It'll be on a well known search engine's pages soon and then all over the world. And that does annoy me...

 

[Simon Bruxelles]

I saw one on ebay a couple of years ago...

I saw one on ebay a couple of years ago...

They made a domed one to fit with a 19mm Filter on the elmar too. Im yet to find one though.

The seller clearly didn't realise what it was. It sold for about £40 I think. As I use the small filters all the time I regret not buying it.

 

[Dralowid]

Hmm, the one in the middle of the bakelite row hopefully isn't a fake as I have several of those ...

Erik.

Erik,

I don't know but it has green felt on the inside which is in remarkably good condition. It is also very slightly bendy which I guess an original wouldn't be? As you say, hmm.

The thing at the bottom is OSBLO which makes a 5cm lens a x3.5 telescope and a 9cm lens a x6. Not the most common of accessories!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Many years ago green baize or thin felt (sticky or plain) was all you could get and repairs to the "velvet" or whatever are not so rare. Of course, these days the sticky version comes in all the colours of the rainbow and more...

I guess the jury are still out on that.

Regards, David

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik,

I don't know but it has green felt on the inside which is in remarkably good condition.

I have two of them, slightly different from one another, but they have a purplish velvet liner in them. In the middle on the inside of both of them a very small number between points is visible: .2619.

I have also a bakelite cap with a different logo, no number on the inside, but with exactly the same purplish liner.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

This thread makes me think we should be setting up a 'sticky' to collect details ie caps, shutter release rings, engravings, vulcanite patterns etc etc

But maybe not, I fear we might get into a right muddle...

 

[Jerevan]

Just waiting for the chinese manufacturers to come up with a replica of the early flat one in chrome, then. 🙂

 

[David Hughes]

This thread makes me think we should be setting up a 'sticky' to collect details ie caps, shutter release rings, engravings, vulcanite patterns etc etc

But maybe not, I fear we might get into a right muddle...

Hi,

But that would knock on the head all our chances of picking up what we want for pennies...

Regards, David