What did I just buy? Leica I

[Dralowid]

In olden days we would spit on our Summars and polish them up with our ties. Surely made the pictures much better indeed in 50 years time someone will discover that saliva is an excellent alternative to coating.

Sorry, have gone off topic somewhat. Looking forward to hearing about the OP's camera.

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

The Elmar is #147110

Elmar #147110. Hm. Not in Puts's booklet.

I wish this «wiki» would be really reliable … anyways, perhaps they're correct in this case:

Serial numbers compiled from known lenses and Puts Pocket Pod.pdf
* Lens 812349 is Elmar 5 cm 1:3.5
SN Start SN End Product Year Total
[…]
-144221 151035- Elmar 5 cm 1:3.5 (KUP.7+CHROM.7) 1932 unknown
[…]

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Figures are available for the number of cameras made in 1932, about 26,000; mostly model II's.

So we could guess that that many lenses were made and take 26,000 from 156,001 and start the 1932 lens production at about 130,000 but it's a rough figure. Even so 147,XXX falls in 1932.

Just my 2d worth.

Regards, David

 

[B-9]

Well,

The lens may not be the original but a close match made later on by a thrifty collector.

The camera is clearly a Leica I Model C now that it is in my hands. Serial No.66966.

Shutter does not look all that bad, I think its worthy of a test roll, likely a few pinholes to find.

Lens is surprisingly clean, minor internal haze and some tiny dusts, no evidence of scratching, and obviously no coating/cleaning marks 😉

I was able to grab a few snaps around before the sun went down (M8), nothing to post, and they look great!... for an old dirty Elmar!

 

[B-9]

Also the Elmar appears to be Nickel for those wondering.

 

[benmacphoto]

Looks great!
Are you going to repaint it? Or keep it semi unrestored?

 

[B-9]

Going to let the paint fall off naturally,

by the looks of things it will not be much of a wait!

Ultimately it is doomed to Orange paint... Sorry guys!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Nice to see a user for once. Looks as though it's been everywhere and done everything.

Any trace of a serial number? Will you be looking inside for one?

Regards, David

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Dear David,

Any trace of a serial number? Will you be looking inside for one?

The camera is clearly a Leica I Model C now that it is in my hands. Serial No.66966.

Devin, you should keep Norman! Look how similar the serial # are, at least upside down …

 

[B-9]

Norman is likely here to stay! I think I'll dedicate some $$$ later this spring to having his missing bits replaced. It has been tricky finding the one part I NEED.

This old fart needs a name, Hanz?

 

[David Hughes]

Ooops, so 1931...

Regards, David

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Norman is likely here to stay! I think I'll dedicate some $$$ later this spring to having his missing bits replaced. It has been tricky finding the one part I NEED.

This old fart needs a name, Hanz?

When Catweazle asks «Are you Norman?», the boy answers «No, I’m Edward!»

(In the series’ German dubbing, which I watched in the 1980s I guess, the boy’s name is Harold, incidentally.)

 

[B-9]

Needs some tips on cleaning/polishing the paint on this one,

I did a thorough wet clean with a rag to tame the dust then finished it off with a run down of Mothers (the fiber infused with wax junk)

It looked great last night, tossed it in a full case, but this morning I have some white residue on the finish, I assume it's the wax from the wad. So another cleaning is in order.

I'm going to try straight Turtle Wax next, any other recommendations?

 

[Steve M.]

My kind of camera, and it may turn out to be a great shooter. Not sure what your plan is on the Turtle Wax, as all I see are bare metal surfaces! Which is fine, but I don't imagine it is going to spruce up much more w/o a paint job, and that would ruin the beater look. Put it in a half case w/ strap lugs and be done w/ it. That would be my suggestion. I used to have one of the Mt. Zhou half cases like the one below and it was very nifty, but since you paid so little for the camera, the price may be too steep. You may be able to successfully make a DIY attachment of strap rings on a beater half case if you can find one at a good price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mr-Zhou-Bro...hash=item27c319d75b:m:m7urt8FW8MgZ9tqV9MBeoGw

 

[Dralowid]

I wouldn't use any sort of wax whose residue dries white, like turtle wax. If you have, use an old toothbrush to clear it out of the corners.

To be honest there is not a lot of paint to polish so I reckon you want to apply something that just gives the surface a better 'feel'.

If it were an old car I'd rub it gently with a very slightly oily cloth. Being a camera this may not be appropriate but you could try some clear furniture polish or similar.

Don't go at it too hard, you don't want all that brass to start shining like a faked up Fed!

 

[B-9]

I'm just after that "wet" look on what little paint is there.

I'll skip the wax and go for the Furniture Polish.

Not sure why I thought Turtle Wax, since it was the Wax in the Mothers that left me white residue... brain fart!

 

[B-9]

Furniture Polish for the win,

A nylon brush helped with the tight spots.

Smells good too!

Leatherette planned Monday night after work.

 

[Dralowid]

Close relation

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-1-M...375819?hash=item237f67f94b:g:Dv0AAOSwr~lYqHJ9

 

[B-9]

Oddly enough, it still has the older style shoe.

Mine has a square accessory shoe.. hmm

 

[Erik van Straten]

Also the older style lens, with the smaller diameter of the basic flange. Very nice clean lens btw.

Erik.