Where have all the Leica IIc s gone?

[jesse1dog]

I have just come back to Leica photography after a long break - 40 years! So I've bought a Leica IIf! Checking, the number 440804 corresponds to a Leica IIc manufactured body. No real surprise but it does make me wonder how many IIc s there are still around. Don't see too many of either on offer.
Why a IIf? - you might well ask. I can't see me using the slow speeds because after all film speeds are much faster these days than when the cameras were first made. In addition it seemed one less thing to go wrong and there did seem to be an awful lot of III s on offer with sticky slow speeds. Has an Elmar 3.5 5cm and I am now at the 'fondling' stage of just enjoying again that Leica feel. Might put in a film before long!

[Jocko]

Welcome to RFF Jesse - as an old Cardie (in the geographical, not garment sense) I envy your opportunities - that's just the camera to photograph the Talyllyn railway!

All the best, Ian

[VictorM.]

I heard Leitz was melting them down to use for making M8's. But I might be wrong.

[phototone]

I have just come back to Leica photography after a long break - 40 years! So I've bought a Leica IIf! Checking, the number 440804 corresponds to a Leica IIc manufactured body. No real surprise but it does make me wonder how many IIc s there are still around. Don't see too many of either on offer.
Why a IIf? - you might well ask. I can't see me using the slow speeds because after all film speeds are much faster these days than when the cameras were first made. In addition it seemed one less thing to go wrong and there did seem to be an awful lot of III s on offer with sticky slow speeds. Has an Elmar 3.5 5cm and I am now at the 'fondling' stage of just enjoying again that Leica feel. Might put in a film before long!

I think there were far more IIIc made than IIc. The slow speed gear train is easy to clean, and then it works just fine. When you don't use the slow speed gear train (knob on front) it is essentially out-of-the-circuit, so the camera shutter works just like a IIc.

[OldNick]

I suspect that, to satisfy the egos of all of us Leica lovers, they have all been converted to IIIc.

Jim N.

[xayraa33]

after the war, most Leicas were exported to the US
and Americans demanded the latest and the most full
featured Leica and could afford it too, unlike most
post war europeans.

[jesse1dog]

Some interesting thoughts there.
There were only 10999 IIC s made - not a large number in comparison to other models. My camera is an upgraded IIC to IIF and it won't be the only one that got an upgrade. On what seems to be 'for sale' I don't seem to come across a IIC. From a collecting point of view there can't be too many around. Do you know of anyone who has one and is prepared to part with it?

[jesse1dog]

Welcome to RFF Jesse - as an old Cardie (in the geographical, not garment sense) I envy your opportunities - that's just the camera to photograph the Talyllyn railway!

All the best, Ian

But won't I need 1/1000 shutter speed to capture the Talyllyn Railway locos?
Just joking! In the winter I can see them from my study window.

[3js]

Girls have picked them every one?

[VictorM.]

Here's a IIc: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Leica-IIc-Camera-Serial-No-444208-Great-Condition_W0QQitemZ150035586400QQihZ005QQcategoryZ 30030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[NL2377]

I saw the original thread, and thought, "hey, I just bought one of those!"

and then I saw this:

Here's a IIc: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Leica-IIc-Camera-Serial-No-444208-Great-Condition_W0QQitemZ150035586400QQihZ005QQcategoryZ 30030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yep, that's the one that I bought. Sorry!

[jesse1dog]

I saw the original thread, and thought, "hey, I just bought one of those!"

and then I saw this:



Yep, that's the one that I bought. Sorry!


Looked at the one you bought and got directed to 2 others on eBay - both in GB.

If yours turns out to be as good as it appears then you probably got it for a fair price. I know some sellers are dealing on a commision basis and don't own what they are selling. They sometimes don't know what they are selling either and so the asking prices are 'a bit off' what I would expect.

[NL2377]

Looked at the one you bought and got directed to 2 others on eBay - both in GB.

If yours turns out to be as good as it appears then you probably got it for a fair price. I know some sellers are dealing on a commision basis and don't own what they are selling. They sometimes don't know what they are selling either and so the asking prices are 'a bit off' what I would expect.

I bought the PP item insurance as well, just in case. looking at thier feedback, though... I don't think I will have a problem. not to mention that it comes with original documentation, so that adds to the price a little bit ;-)