What kind of Leica am I looking for? (Model Number Confusion)

[jmooney]

I'm looking to buy another Leica and I'm a little confused. I tried doing some research in books and on various websites and and I'm still confused about the exact model designation of what I'm looking for.

I think I want a Model A also known as the "hockey stick" Leica. The black one with the non-removable lens. I see referred to as "A" or a "I" perhaps sometimes a "Standard" too.

Can someone clear up the correct name for this camera? Any tips on where to locate one? I'm going to use it so I'm not looking for collector grade, just a functioning camera.

Thanks for shedding some light on this for a confused Leica fanatic.

Jim

 

[Livesteamer]

It's called a Leica 1 altho many call it the Leica 1a. No rangefinder and an uncoated lens. I got mine from e bay and I don't use it much but it's lots of fun. The Leica standard came later. It had no rangefinder but could change lenses. CameraQuest has some good articles on them. Take your time and you can find one. Good Luck. Joe

 

[colyn]

Here ya go..

http://cameraquest.com/leicaa.htm

 

[jmooney]

Thanks guys!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Ithink the problem arises simply because they didn't get names or numbers until after the event: well, the early ones didn't. I've just looked through a heap of 1920's magazines and they all call the hockey stick version "The Leitz Leica" and now and then they add "latest model" but that was usually in the lists of second-hand ones.

And the "standard" comes in two versions (rewind knob mainly) and it was only when the coupled range-finder appeared that they called it the Leica model II. Leaving several versions that could be the model I...

It's all very confusing.

Regards, David

 

[Ljós]

From the text in the vintage camera ad above: gotta love the "special spiral focussing adjustment, eliminating the usual leather bellows" 🙂

Greetings, Ljós