Leica LTM Show off your Leica I/II/III/LTM Camera

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
1935 Leica III

1935 Leica III

I am excited to finally be able to post a camera on this thread. This past New Year's Eve, as a wedding gift, my wife surprised me with this 1935 Leica III w/50 elmar. It came from a friends family whose grandfather got deployed to Germany to aid in reconstruction after World War II. While there he had helped out a family whose home had gotten lost in the war and as a thank you they gifted him this camera. It then got passed to his son, who then passed it on to his son, who then gave it to my wife to give to me!:D
I know that the camera does not make the photographer but there's something to be said for having a tool that seems to draw out inspiration from within me. Since getting this camera at the start of the year I have not only started developing my own black and white at home, but I've also started making my own darkroom prints as well. I have also purchased a pretty good condition 50 summarit. This is definitely a rabbit hole of a medium that I LOVE falling into! I'm excited to make some photos as inspiring as some of the photos I've seen from you all.
 

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You chose the right girl to marry :) she may in addition to giving you a wonderful old camera with a long history also have started what could a life long hobby.
 
AlwaysOnAuto said:
Thanks!
Would you know if this lens is more period correct for the camera?
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Yeah probably, but it's a 35mm lens so you'd need an accessory viewfinder on the camera to use it!

That lens has a serial number on the front, google 'Leitz lens serial numbers' and you can find some site from Denmark (or the CameraQuest site even, IIRC) that lists the manufacturing years by serial number ranges.
 
So the camera configured like this would be how I'd use that lens?
I think that lens has an adapter on it making it bayonet mount. I'll have to see if I can get it off.
Thank you for the ref on the serial number. I found the lens to be circa 1939.
Thanks for baring with this newbie. This old Leica stuff is really kind of fun.
 
I thought I was going to edit my post, but, I guess I'll just add a new picture. Got the lens off the adapter and now it's on the IIIa!
So now I can't use the same picture in this thread since I already used it in another one. OK. Well, at least the lens is on the camera.
 
My first LTM. A IIIc sold new here in Norway in 1941. I bought it from the son of the first owner with a 5cm and 9cm Elmar and some accessories.

My first impressions: The viewfinder is tiny and the rangefinder is difficult to use for someone who uses glasses. The shutter makes a lot more noise then my M3. But I like the size, it is really portable when using the 5cm Elmar.
 
Nordvik, welcome to the forum, you lucky dog!

That is a red curtain IIIc in very nice condition, with original vulcanite (no chips or cracks?) and original split rings on the camera!

Most red curtain camera's had their curtains replaced by now, the rubber in the shutter cloth 'bleeds out' and leaves black spots, then tears. In the 1950s and 1960s Leitz used to replace the shutter cloths in a standard service at the factory, unless specifically requested to leave it untouched.

Does your camera have two red curtains? Even more rare, might well be one of the last ones in existence with two red curtains still in good condition!

Are the lenses also original to the camera? That would be a killer combo and many a collectors dream!


Happy shooting, post us some shots from your great camera!
 
The vulcanite have no cracks and appears to be original. It have only one red curtain. There is a small black dot on the right, i think it's from oil.

I guess only the 5cm was sold with the camera (it was made in 1940). The 9cm was made in 1937, but could have been unsold until that time. I have only the papers for the 5cm Elmar, but I trust the seller that the camera was also sold at the same time.
 
Will the mini finder work for people wearing glasses? I really would like to find one but in the mean time i just today ordered the round 35mm from Stephen.

If i know it can work with glasses i will continue to look.

Thanks.
 
My IIIf with Jupiter 3

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Jan Pedersen said:
Will the mini finder work for people wearing glasses? I really would like to find one but in the mean time i just today ordered the round 35mm from Stephen.

If i know it can work with glasses i will continue to look.

Thanks.
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Jan,

I'll bring the camera and lens to Easter brunch with the family tomorrow morning and ask my brother in law to comment on it, he wears glasses.

Maybe I'll trade my black Minifinder for a chrome one, or a Voigtlander VC-II meter... Not sure yet.

Certainly not getting another 35mm lens. Should get a 15mm Heliar because it also would go great on the GXR...:rolleyes:
 
Johan,
Thank you for checking this.
Maybe i will like the new round model just fine, will know in a couple of days.
The mini finder does look sleek on your IIIa.
 
I can tell you guys are going to get me in trouble here. I looked thru my old camera bag and found a VF that has wide and tele lines that I can SEE when I look thru it.
Think it'll work? It's a SAMIGON.
 
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