show off your black paint barnack

[Erik van Straten]

Usually people who still use keys to open their front door have nickel keys in their pockets. Nickel is yellowish compared to chrome. As David says it is less shiny too. Its very tough.


David, what a beautiful Leica I. Do you have some close-ups?


Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

...David, what a beautiful Leica I. Do you have some close-ups?

Erik.

Thanks, Erik. Will this do?

(Edit) That's the third time I've forgotten; I've always wondered when the little cassette tin had the red lettering on the lid. Ditto the cardboard boxes with black instead of gold printing. The latter could be a chemical reaction like silver going black...

Regards, David

PS I meant to, or should have, put a copy of "First Principles for Leica Users", the exposure tables, instruction manual and a box of 1930's refills in the picture but it would have been OTT.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you David, but we now only see the crack in the front lens of the viewfinder.

I've never seen those tins with red lettering, only grey.

The camera must have seen very little use as the lens tube is completely like new!

Do you have a close up view of the complete camera too?

Thank you.

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

Thank you David, but we now only see the crack in the front lens of the viewfinder.

I've never seen those tins with red lettering, only grey.

The camera must have seen very little use as the lens tube is completely like new!

Do you have a close up view of the complete camera too?

Thank you.

Erik.

Hmmm, I have my doubts about the camera from time to time, it's just too good! Anyway, here's another view to show that the VF is OK. I guess the reflection of the lens in the VF front looked bad.

Regards, David

 

[Erik van Straten]

So you think the camera has been refinished? Can't believe that. Superb camera! Beautiful condition IMO.

Congratulations.

Erik.

 

[Timmyjoe]

That's really sweet David.

Best,
-Tim

 

[David Hughes]

Thank you both, I'm reassured about it.

Trouble is, I never have been able to see and handle others of the same vintage and - as we all have seen - people will play mix and match with them and many were cannibalised during the war. Also I reckon the early years were a time when things were being changed but there's no record of them I can find. F'instance the base plate hasn't the plate showing how to thread the film but has a small bar held by two screws à la FED and so on. But my thoughts are that FED copied ones the age of mine...

Regards, David

 

[Erik van Straten]

David, see Angela and Henning von Einem 'Leica I Model A Variations'. Personally I've never seen this publication, but it seems to exist. They indicate 10 variations of the Leica I model A. I will look it up.

"Die 10 Varianten der klassischen Leica I A mit Elmar 50 mm"

Yours is pretty early (I guess a serial number with four digits). No Leica I model A has a plate about how to treat the film AFAIK.

I'll try to get a copy of the book. If I succeed, I'll let you know.


Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

Yes, the shutter release is correct for four digits plus a bit later. I'm not sure when it had a dimple or when it went but think it was before. Many were modified.

The bottom catch will be black in the middle and unlike the later ones. The vulcanite looks 100% right as does the typography on the lens.

The lens has very little wear and nor does the paint which I guess is what makes you wonder.

I'd just accept it as in excellent condition and be content!

 

[Erik van Straten]

If I'm not wrong, the dimple starts at around 8.000. Davids camera is around 7.000 I guess. However, the serial number is not important here, but the condition. A museum piece.


Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

Thank you both, I'm beginning to think it should be in the safe...

FWIW, the serial number is a little below 2500, so my guess is about 1926. I've a note somewhere of how I arrived at that but cannot, as usual, find it anywhere. As for a catalogue of that vintage, I saw one once but the price was excessive although I've often wondered if I should have risked it.

Thanks again, David

 

[Deleted member 65559]

That's a beauty David!

 

[Erik van Straten]

This one is 2362. Feathered arrows on the knobs. (from my files, not my camera)

Erik.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Has anyone seen Helen's black Barnack yet? I've heard about it, heard that it's coming soon, and heard that it's beautiful, but have yet to see it.

Can't wait.

Best,
-Tim

 

[splitimageview]

Helen sent hers to Alan Starkie, who did this IIIf, SBOOI and Canon 50/1.5 for me. He also did a IIIc before that.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Nice!

I have an original black paint SBOOI. Wish I could find another one.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

10473, long since gone. I may have a late '20s catalogue somewhere, you know the one where the camera is always pictured with an Anastigmat lens on it.

When I last looked there were nine hockey stick cameras at Leicashop, none as nice as David's. Going through them in detail throws up all sorts of questions.



IMG_1235 by dralowid, on Flickr

 

[Erik van Straten]

I saw them too. I would love to have that book by Von Einem to puzzle everything out. However, I've never seen a copy of it.


Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

One thing that sticks in the mind is that anything that went back to the factory for any reason had the old style shutter release replaced.

Then there is the matter of the asterisk which only seems to have had a brief period of use.

(Unlike the 'A' on a Contax)

 

[Erik van Straten]

The old style shutter could not make a reliable connection with a cable release.

Erik.