Solms - the unwanted Wetzlar cousins

[CameraQuest]

OK folks,

Exactly which illustrious holy Leica Cameras were engraved with the dreadful unleica name of SOLMS ??

This could start a whole new Leica collecting trend of undesirability....🙂

 

[seany65]

...and thus send their prices more sky-high than they probably are now.😀

 

[BillBingham2]

...and thus send their prices more sky-high than they probably are now.😀

OMG, they are high already.

I expect to hear "Please keep your seat belts fastened until we leave the atmosphere and the captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign" soon.

B2

 

[KoNickon]

OK, I'll take a wild guess and say that no Leica cameras are engraved "Solms." They may say "Leica" instead of "Leitz" on the camera (I'm thinking the M6 for instance) but nothing indicating Solms.

 

[Richard G]

I can’t think of seeing this on any. Perhaps SOLMS all caps could be repurposed as an old style five letter code for an obscure part. Maybe the flash plug plastic cap for the later Ms, solitary unlike the dual M3-M4 plugs.

 

[wpb]

For sure there are cameras marked "Solms" on the top plate; The LHSA Hammertone MP comes to mind. Lenses I'm not so sure about.

 

[valdas]

Ah?

https://www.cameraquest.com/lm6lhsa.htm

 

[valdas]

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2015/01/camera-geekery-leica-mp-3/

 

[valdas]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/572731277589799599/

and the list can go on...

 

[CameraQuest]

yep, remember when the MP-3 was introduced at LHSA
it just did not feel right, too rough
so I made the mistake of not buying it, oh well

 

[kshapero]

I am aware of the Solms era, but are they considered inferior? Is that we are wagging on them?

 

[CameraQuest]

I am aware of the Solms era, but are they considered inferior? Is that we are wagging on them?

not inferior, just rarer and non Wetzlar like the Midland cameras

I suspect they will eventually command a premium

 

[pedaes]

What about the new range of "Made in Portugal" lenses?

 

[dourbalistar]

What about the "Hunchback of Solms" aka Leica R8, some of which were made in... Portugal? 😀

 

[Richard G]

Just saw a lovely MP3 on Instagram. SOLMS on top plate

 

[noisycheese]

I am aware of the Solms era, but are they considered inferior? Is that we are wagging on them?

Solms made M cameras and lenses are not inferior to Wetzlar made cameras and lenses.

Some used to think or say that the M cameras and lenses made in Midland, ONT were somehow not as good as German made Leicas. Yet another old wives' tale.

 

[CameraQuest]

found another Solms inscription
the Leicavit for the MP-3

 

[Bill Blackwell]

My favorite special edition to date is engraved "Solms" (and still one of the most desired) -

 

[derleicaman]

Yes, the Solms engraving was my bright idea. When I was speccing out the LHSA Special Editions, I was trying to promote the "New Leica" being at Solms. I never would have dreamed that Leica would be back in Wetzlar, especially in the dark days when the LHSA Specials were done.

And then came Dr. Kaufmann! Note the the last LHSA Special, the Classic 50/2 APO Summicron does not say Solms! 🙂

 

[madNbad]

What about the big M6 cameras when the factory first moved to Solms in the late 1980's? That run didn't last very long and I wonder if they bring a premium price?