When was this I converted to II?

[goamules]

I said no more 35mm cameras after a Tower 46/Nicca 5L. But an elderly friend has a black Leica 1 to II conversion, I believe. I know very little about Leicas, but it has a 2x,xxx serial number, and has "D.R.P" underneath all the engravings on the top plate. It has the adjustment hole in the back of the body, for the lens. The lens is an "11 O'clock" Hektor 50mm.

I can surmise it was a Leica I originally, from the serial number lists. How can I tell when it was converted?

I think I'm going to buy it, but cannot handle the camera, it's in another state. The pictures look like it's pretty nice, with 10% brassing, and some green verdigris spots from being kept in the leather case. She's too old to figure out if it works, or the Hektor condition.

If the Hektor is hazy, is that easy to fix? I see it's three groups of two cemented elements, so it should be fairly contrasty, if in good condition.

I'm assuming it will need work, but do you think it's worth getting?

 

[Livesteamer]

I don't think there is any way of knowing when it was converted unless you know the owner who had it done.

As to value, a nice II and lens is likely worth $400 to $600 with an Elmar 50. I think the Hektor is more rare and hence more valuable.

Clearly it needs a good home. You should buy it. Once an old railroad buddy asked me if he should buy a certain toy train and I told him,Jack, I'm sure your wife would want you to be happy. It might apply here too. Joe

 

[goamules]

Ha! That's good advice coming from someone from my hometown! I graduated for RJR high in 82....

 

[Dralowid]

DRP = Deutsches Reichspatent up to 1945

The camera is a black I converted to II yes?

As I understand it, conversions of I to II were carried out at the factory almost as soon as the new model arrived. The same apples to I to III and II to III.

So, without looking at the camera you have a likely window of 1932 -1945 but to be realistic I doubt many conversions were done for private individuals in the latter stages of the war. These pre-war conversions are fairly numerous so I'd base value on what the camera now is...

Hektor manufacture stopped, I think, in 1937. I am no fan of the Hektor but others rave and it has a collector's value.

I may have gone too far without seeing pictures and may be wrong....a good look at the top would really help.

 

[goamules]

Yes, it's a black I to II. I'll post pictures when I get it, I went ahead and bought it.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The lens should be uncoated although, after the war, it was possible to get them coated. So cleaning it will be a simple matter for a professional. Don't believe anyone who tells you it's a do it yourself job...

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

Aw David, you are no fun any more! With demise of 'Gumption' I know that DIY lens cleaning has taken a step backwards but these young 'uns have to learn somehow!

Actually, I recently cleaned some condenser lenses with 'Silvo' which I guess is part way to jeweller's rouge...very pleased with the results.

But yes, you are quite right. Apart from anything else, 80 year old lenses have a habit of resisting dismantling that leads to irrevocable damage before you even get to the elements.

Michael

 

[goamules]

I'm pretty good at disassembling large format lenses, some over 100 years old, when needed. I've even had to soak one lens for weeks to separate then re-cement it. But 35mm ones are so tiny and hard to see. I did relube a Jupiter Helical once. I believe that a former engineer and micro miniature electronics repair/solder technician would have as much luck at working on these as a couple of "official" repairmen I've used.


I'll take a look at the lens, and assess where any haze may be. It may have none, but one of the pictures looked hazy.

 

[David Hughes]

"Actually, I recently cleaned some condenser lenses with 'Silvo' which I guess is part way to jeweller's rouge...very pleased with the results."

And it works on headlamps if the MoT's coming up and you're worried about failing on that. Especially at £680 for replacements...

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

"Actually, I recently cleaned some condenser lenses with 'Silvo' which I guess is part way to jeweller's rouge...very pleased with the results."

And it works on headlamps if the MoT's coming up and you're worried about failing on that. Especially at £680 for replacements...

Regards, David

Might try that next time, I have just spent days replacing headlights on my Citroen DS...you have to remove the front wings to do it...

 

[David Hughes]

Might try that next time, I have just spent days replacing headlights on my Citroen DS...you have to remove the front wings to do it...

Hi,

I do know, I had an ID19 etc. But at least you could get to things, I loved the hole in the body so you could poke the tool down it and get the last spark plug out. Now on my Rover SD1 there was one fitted in the factory and never, ever removed until it kept the engine running on for ever and a day. And it took a day's work to remove!

I thought the GS was best but it rusted away and the 2CV was fun and dirt cheap, even using the official agents. If I had the strength to turn the steering wheel I'd get another 2CV or Dyane (for the sheer luxury). And, if I had the money, a Light Fifteen (sigh). At least you could work on the old cars, not like today's computerised ones.

Right back to cameras; that conversion could have been carried out last week using old parts by a skilled technician.

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

Hi,

Right back to cameras; that conversion could have been carried out last week using old parts by a skilled technician.

Regards, David

Indeed it could have been but I thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt...and in the current UK media climate I would like to re-enforce the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty'...

Back to French cars...We've had a DS since 1979 but I have never been able to tempt either of our sons with a GS or even CX

But this tempts me...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190747058581?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[goamules]

...Right back to cameras; that conversion could have been carried out last week using old parts by a skilled technician.

Regards, David

My friend got it from another elderly friend who "had it for years, and really took care of his things..." I'll post some pics when I get it, the ones I have are horribly blurry, but I'm trusting it's as advertised, "estate condition."

 

[David Hughes]

My friend got it from another elderly friend who "had it for years, and really took care of his things..." I'll post some pics when I get it, the ones I have are horribly blurry, but I'm trusting it's as advertised, "estate condition."

Hi,

I had to say that - Citroens Anoymous always advises you to change the subject the minute they are mentioned...

Looking forward to the pictures. It never ceases to amaze me what turns up. Although I'm having problems getting Leitz catalogues from the 20's and instruction manuals (apart from the repro's).

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

Indeed it could have been but I thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt...and in the current UK media climate I would like to re-enforce the concept of 'innocent until proven guilty'...

Back to French cars...We've had a DS since 1979 but I have never been able to tempt either of our sons with a GS or even CX

But this tempts me...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190747058581?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Hmmm, luckily Audi's prices have stopped me buying anything in that line for a long, long time and I'd have to clear out the garage.

However, in the interests of frightening everyone I'll mention a neighbour down the road who spent £23,000 on repairs over 2 years and then the last straw (steering rack failure) broke his wallet and he put the car on ebay. I would have kept it on the grounds that you can only go up after that sort of problem, but...

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

David,

Most of the stuff from the '20s and early '30s I have is in German...

Michael


img045 by dralowid, on Flickr

 

[Jerevan]

Michael,

Is the Belichtungstabelle full of specific things for long forgotten films or is it a more general table for light conditions? I found this page, http://www.lausch.com/19311.htm some time ago and while my german is still in the Anfänger phase I found it really interesting.

 

[Dralowid]

My German is good enough to tell me it a general exposure table, just.

I think I have an early table of films elsewhere. There is a box of this stuff, some interesting, some less so.


Michael

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Is this any use:-

It's about 3¼" high and a fraction under 2" wide when folded in half for the pocket in the Leica's ERC.

Regards, David

 

[Jerevan]

Thanks for the info - always nice to be able to see how they did it back then. 🙂