What my mother found in her basement

[Xmas]

Some Leitz lenses came in show case keepers, later Leitz went to Styrafoam (trade name?) fitted (moulded) packing, inside the 'red boxes'. This change over was before '70 for some lens. I'd have to check my collection of boxes to be sure. I dont think any of mine had showcases.

A rear cap was supplied as standard for 28 and 21 that needed specials, I have never seen a show case keeper for these but they may exist.

If you are going to get several lenses then you need the standard leitz (style) rear caps or the 3rd party back to back caps. The 3rd party back to back is a 3/4 inch plastic tube with a camera mount at each end. It keeps a gadget bag tidier if you have a mix of lens. You still need special caps for deeper lenses.

Some of the CV back cap bits fit ok even for specials and are more robust and a lot cheaper than leitz collectibles (original).

Some of the front caps are even more difficult, e.g. if you have a reversible hood for the 'cron, then it should have a cap for when reversed, don't lose the cap, apart from the sentimental value some are impossible to replace.

Hey enjoy, take pictures, file the boxes and things for the next generation.

Noel

 

[Grober]

What a beautiful gift! You can pay tribute to your father by investing in a cleaning and general check by a reliable, Leica-experienced service rep and shoot with it. Don't trust it to a service rep who doesn't know Leica.

-g

 

[alan davus]

Great find Mel. What did your dad do, what sort of person was he? Just an ordinary life made a little more interesting by the use of a Leica? The fact he carefully locked away the boxes suggests there might be a story here.

 

[ZdenekP]

Hi Melanie,
you did nice find. It appears that your father was a man with sense of details. The original boxes breathe the past times atmosphere, and direct mind to the past.
I also have saved the boxes of fountain pens, watches, and now of my new Leica camera. Maybe they will make joy to somebody in future. Who knows?
Congratulations.
ZP