What kind of Leica is this, standard?

[micromoogman]

I Just bought a Leica cheap but have no idea what it is. Is it a I or standard series? And how about that deleted low speed knob? Serial no.205541

Thanks

[Xmas]

Droolllllllll...

Looks like a standard, google standard...

Noel

[Jerevan]

Been to an auction today, eh? ;) The description says it's a Standard, but with a IIc top. The serial number designates it as a Leica I according to the official list. I am no expert, so I am intrigued by how and why it looks like it does.

[micromoogman]

yup :)
I thought it might be that rare standard e from 1947-50 with the IIIc body...the serial no does not match however.

[Xmas]

What serial does the lens have?

The body outer does look like the '47-49 but that may have been fitted during repair by leitz, they ued cameras then, if it was broke they had spare parts.

Noel

[micromoogman]

lens no 291527

[Jerevan]

The lens is from the same year as the camera, 1936. Could very well be the lens that came with it when new.

http://www.forloren.dk/lbf/leica_lens_serial.htm

[Xmas]

'36 then, if it was sold with the body, 205541 should also have been a '36 leica 1 (or a standard), but ELeitz may have had other problems in '36. So you may very well have a '36.

Noel

P.S. sorry double post

[xayraa33]

it looks like a Leica standard made up from the chassis of the Leica III/ IIIa, so a buyer had a less expensive camera that could be upgraded at a later date if the owner chose to to that.

[micromoogman]

similar to this... http://www.lausch.com/standardleica.htm

[dll927]

Only the III series had the slow-speed dial, so it would not have been "deleted" on a Standard. But the viewfinder on there does look like the Standard or at least an early model.

This may be another case of what was fairly common in those days - the factory would upgrade an older camera to a more recent "vintage". I'm not aware that was ever done on the M series models. Anyone have different evidence?

[Xmas]

A '36 standard might not have had the blanking plate, in '36.

They would convert two stroke to single, & ground notches in lenses for M5, if you requested during a service.

I'd imaging they would fit the finder enhancement today?

Noel

[colyn]

Leica III converted to a Ic with a standard viewfinder is what it looks like to me..

[Rob-F]

My serial# listings in Rogliatti and in the Hove Collectors Books Leica Pocket Manual list this serial# as a Standard from 1936. The fixed in place viewfinder, and only one accessory shoe, distinguishes it from the 1c which has two accessory shoes. The slow speed dial is not so much deleted as not added. Many Leicas have a blank cover where the slow-speed dial can be installed during a factory upgrade. An interesting detail is that the slow speed dial cover illustrated for the Standard in Rogliatti is of plain metal, where yours is decorated with a vulcanite circle. Lager's illustration shows a standard with no slow-speed dial cover at all. The Hove Pocket Guide is the same way.

[xayraa33]

page 22 of the Leica Illustrated Guide by James Lager mentions that:
" Leica Standards made in 1947 -48 were constructed on a series III
Leica chassis with the slow speed dial covered up by a vulcanite patch or metal plate."

the serial no. of this camera is from the mid 1930s though.

[micromoogman]

I'm starting to like this enigmatic camera!

[Ken Ford]

Whatever it is, it sure is lovely!

[bananasplit]

If you are still interested....this camera looks like a Standard made by Leica New York.

Except the lens (not a Wollensack), the serial number...

Good catch.

[david werbeloff]

Hi Micromoogman:

It's interesting that your camera has strap lugs. According to the Hove Pocket Book, the Leica Standard didn't have them.

[Ash]

To me it looks like a Ic or something?? Very similar to the I but with the interchangeable mount and everything.

My Leica Standard has no slow speed circle. It has strap lugs - just for the record (fao david ;) )

[jesse1dog]

Hi
Have you measured the body length?
If its a IIIc derivative it will be that bit longer.
Leica 'repaired' cameras using new parts and also upgraded on request. If a body shell was replaced I believe they used the old number on the new shell. I would imagine that this is what happened in this case.
Nice camera by the look of it.
Going for a CLA?
j

[John Shriver]

Look at the shutter "crate". That's all the metal inside the camera that forms the film plane, holds the shutter drums, etc. If it is a casting, it's based on a IIIc or later chassis. If it is stamped and folded peices of brass held together with tiny screws, it's based on a IIIb or earlier chassis.

Since the top cover doesn't come down around the lens, I'd expect it to be based on a IIIb or earlier.

[xayraa33]

the bodies of the IIIc IIIf etc. are a bit longer than the III, IIIa & IIIb,
that is why one cannot fit a IIIa baseplate on a IIIc, as an example.

[bob cole]

Here are some JPEGs from Jim Lager's literature You will note that one model has a metal piece where the slow speeds can be added later and a later model with a vulcanite patch over the slow speed location...

The third JPEG, from Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's literature, shows one like yours [1948, New York Standard model, with lugs] and a pre-war Wetzlar one without lugs...