Erik van Straten
Veteran
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Hi Erik,
Nice pictures of a very nice camera. Your lighting catches the patina very well. I find it amazing that these older cameras oftem have good vulcanite. This one is 5X,XXX? I see that you, like me suffer from missing release collars (We've discussed this before).
I've heard talk of a fim advance knob that is shallower or less tall than normal, do you have anything that would illustrate this?
Michael
Hi Michael,
The number of this one is 58734. I've made these pictures very simply with my euro 60 flatbedscanner. Yes, the vulcanite is in good condition, only a bit discolored. I recently found out that Leica I cameras did not have release collars. These were invented later, for model II Leicas.
This particular camera is interesting, because the lens is mounted on some sort of metal base and not on the vulcanite like earlier model I's.
Did you see the pictures of my Leica II post war conversion?
O, yes, the lower profile wind knob was installed on the earliest Leica I's.
Erik.
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
Dralowid
Michael
Nice, I don't think people realise just how good a 'user' a I is...and it fits in your pocket. I'll post some pix of and from mine at some point.
Wish I still had one with the 'mushroom' release but I made the decision a few years ago to sell off anything with a serial number less than 10,000 in order to fund this Leica (and now Contax) habit.
Yes I saw your non sync postwar conversion. One of my favourites and the only example I have has been repainted by someone who obviously thought that it was the right thing to do..! I prefer the non sync postwar conversions to those that are sync'd. They are simpler/cleaner and I don't use flash on an LTM.
Like the idea of using a scanner for these pictures.
Michael
Wish I still had one with the 'mushroom' release but I made the decision a few years ago to sell off anything with a serial number less than 10,000 in order to fund this Leica (and now Contax) habit.
Yes I saw your non sync postwar conversion. One of my favourites and the only example I have has been repainted by someone who obviously thought that it was the right thing to do..! I prefer the non sync postwar conversions to those that are sync'd. They are simpler/cleaner and I don't use flash on an LTM.
Like the idea of using a scanner for these pictures.
Michael
Erik van Straten
Veteran
My very early Leica II, from 1932.

Erik van Straten
Veteran
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The back shows the logo of the Dutch importer, "Capi", from Nijmegen.
Erik.
Erik.

Erik van Straten
Veteran
This is the identification of the camera, proof that taxes were paid. Interestingly a date fails.
Erik.
Erik.

raid
Dad Photographer
Erik,
Your Leica II looks very cool. I have a similar looking Standard Leica. The Leica serial numbers list at CameraQuest does not seem to be 100% accurate.
Based on it, my camera should be a Leica I.
I seem to have a Model E in which the 5cm finder has been replaced with a second accessory holder.
I could use a RF on one holder while using a VF on the other.
Your Leica II looks very cool. I have a similar looking Standard Leica. The Leica serial numbers list at CameraQuest does not seem to be 100% accurate.
Based on it, my camera should be a Leica I.
I seem to have a Model E in which the 5cm finder has been replaced with a second accessory holder.
I could use a RF on one holder while using a VF on the other.
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MikeL
Go Fish
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Erik, I tried your flatbed technique. Not enough depth of field on mine.
No, with a lens mounted it won't work.
Erik.
roundg
Well-known
A recent snapshot of my Leica IIIf RD ST with Leica LTM Summarit 50mm f/1.5 lens, it's for me the most beautiful camera I've ever used ;-)
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wow, where on earth did u find such a camera in like new condition? Very charming.
elshaneo
Panographer
Well my friend, I got it around two years ago from a seller in Dubai around 500 USD, who was not totally honest on its mechanical conditions, as the shutter was sticky and the dials were all stiff, although its cosmetic condition is like brand new.
I sent it to Youxin Ye for a full CLA, I remember that he told me afterwards that my Leica IIIf RD ST is one of the rare Leicas he ever saw in like brand new condition ;-)
Do note that its serial number is: 697 686
And I've been offered 1200 USD by a collector because of its mint condition but also because of this particular serial number, I've been told that these numbers are considered to be very lucky numbers by the Chinese LOL ;-p
Some people might think that I've been silly not to sell it, but this camera is priceless to me...
I sent it to Youxin Ye for a full CLA, I remember that he told me afterwards that my Leica IIIf RD ST is one of the rare Leicas he ever saw in like brand new condition ;-)
Do note that its serial number is: 697 686
And I've been offered 1200 USD by a collector because of its mint condition but also because of this particular serial number, I've been told that these numbers are considered to be very lucky numbers by the Chinese LOL ;-p
Some people might think that I've been silly not to sell it, but this camera is priceless to me...
wow, where on earth did u find such a camera in like new condition? Very charming.
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raid
Dad Photographer
Do note that its serial number is: 697 686
And I've been offered 1200 USD by a collector because of its mint condition but also because of this particular serial number, I've been told that these numbers are considered to be very lucky numbers by the Chinese LOL ;-p
Well, Shane, in Iraq, such a number means bad luck and maybe death on a roast stick! Hence, I can offer you $350 for the camera.
It is a beauty. I would never sell it.
LeicaTom
Watch that step!
I sent it to Youxin Ye for a full CLA, I remember that he told me afterwards that my Leica IIIf RD ST is one of the rare Leicas he ever saw in like brand new condition ;-)
Do note that its serial number is: 697 686
Shane,
That`s a beautiful IIIf RDST, with the "late" engraving, but it`s still not the most coveted version of this type.......
For the IIIf nuts, the 1956 #824xxx series of the IIIf RDST are perhaps the rarest of the breed, as they also have some interesting features as a IIIg shutter etc.
(I have`nt seen one in over 10 years!).
I used a early 1955 one back in Germany for many many years, and it was also mint minus (they are truly hard to find in this condition) I sold mine to a Swiss collector for $1,000 (over 20 years ago) with a matching Red Scale Elmar....I really miss that camera, just like I miss my first LEICA a 1939 "matching numbers" IIIa with a very early Summitar!
Ohh I need one of those Voigtlander 50mm BL finders....anyone have one used to sell/trade?
Happy Shooting!
Tom
PS: Speaking of Youxin, he`s got my 1945 #3904xx K IIIc K Grey for adjustments, I`ll be shooting another pic of it for here when I get her back next week!
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
As a user, a IIIg with Leicavit is unbeatable.
Erik.
Erik.

Erik van Straten
Veteran
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Honu-Hugger
Well-known
First, my apologies to Al Kaplan... sorry for the poor quality images, Al, it's just a crappy little P&S digital (it's all I have for "instant gratification
).
My Dad gave me his Dad's camera four or five years ago; the vulcanite was damaged so last night I recovered it with this lizard skin. The braided leather strap was from my first "real" camera -- found it recently while going through old gear. I never used the strap, it's strong but a little too thin for a heavy SLR. It works well with this lighter camera and both bring back pleasant memories
My Dad gave me his Dad's camera four or five years ago; the vulcanite was damaged so last night I recovered it with this lizard skin. The braided leather strap was from my first "real" camera -- found it recently while going through old gear. I never used the strap, it's strong but a little too thin for a heavy SLR. It works well with this lighter camera and both bring back pleasant memories


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Erik van Straten
Veteran
This Leica IIasyn started life in 1936 as a chrome model IIIa. After the war, it was converted into a model IIasyn. Nevertheless, after all these efforts the camera was appearently almost never used.
Erik.
Erik.

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