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reagan
10-24-2006, 20:14
Just a nit-picking curiosity...

I happened to notice a couple of days ago that the bottom plates on my Leica.IIIs are different. The chrome model is pretty much like I would expect with "auf" & "zu", but the black model, a year older I believe, has "open-auf" & "close - zu" - English added.

Sooo...
Normal or no?
Not the original bottom plate on the Black model?
Original plate engraved in the States at later time?

I'm not a stickler about this camera, it's a beater and therefore, my favorite, but just curious what someone might know/think.

cheers ~

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34855&stc=1&d=1161749459
FrankS
10-24-2006, 20:18
Perhaps it was a US export model, therefore English added?
reagan
10-24-2006, 21:33
Perhaps it was a US export model, therefore English added?I wondered that as well -- even though I got it from the FSU ... :confused: It may be quite a high-mileage little unit. Thanks Frank.
Ash
10-25-2006, 00:36
Mine has both.
ZorkiKat
10-31-2006, 01:04
The bilingual markings are normal. Definitely factory engraved. If you take a look at the loading diagrams found on the base of the shutter crate (or the baseplate in pre-IIIc cameras) the instructions are in 4 languages.

Jay
reagan
10-31-2006, 06:17
See? That's the very reason we pay Jay the big bucks. He's even read the inside of MY Leicas! ...all 4 languages! Thanks Jay - amazing I've never noticed that before.

My black Leica also has an extra "post" on the bottom, opposite end from where the bottom plate hooks. I assume this is for winding attachments. Not there on my year later white model III.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c138/CVBLZ4/GoK/bottomplate2.jpg
ZorkiKat
10-31-2006, 06:25
See? That's the very reason we pay Jay the big bucks. He's even read the inside of MY Leicas! ...all 4 languages! Thanks Jay - amazing I've never noticed that before.

My black Leica also has an extra "post" on the bottom, opposite end from where the bottom plate hooks. I assume this is for winding attachments. Not there on my year later white model III.



:D

Many things did attach themselves at the bottom of the Leica. Not only motors (clockwork), but also an early flash gun, among other things.

Jay
reagan
10-31-2006, 06:40
Many things did attach themselves at the bottom of the Leica. Not only motors (clockwork), but also an early flash gun, among other things.Interesting. Got any pics or illustrations?
Jocko
10-31-2006, 07:09
My black Leica also has an extra "post" on the bottom, opposite end from where the bottom plate hooks. I assume this is for winding attachments. Not there on my year later white model III.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c138/CVBLZ4/GoK/bottomplate2.jpg

Mine has one of those little "extra" knobs too - Is it just me or does everyone spend many a happy half-hour trying to get the baseplate on the wrong way round?

I expect it's me! :)

Cheers, Ian
Ash
10-31-2006, 07:21
Ian, I found EXACTLY the same thing happened with me - I have a really obvious little metal bit for the baseplate to clip to, and I still find myself putting the baseplate backwards!
reagan
10-31-2006, 15:49
Is it just me or does everyone spend many a happy half-hour trying to get the baseplate on the wrong way round? I expect it's me! :)Oh no, I've never done that... more than 3 or 4 times... or 6. :rolleyes: