nice screwmount ebay find

memphis · 03-10-2006

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEBI%3AIT&rd=1

This auction is for an antique / vintage LEICA D.R.P. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Camera. No. 225313 , camera lens Summar f = 5 cm 1:2 No 316635 . Camera made in Germany, 111a or 3A. Camera is in it's leather case, case is in good used condition, case says Leica Germany. Included is the Leica Guide. This camera was made in the 1930s, the guide is dated 1945. This camera seems to function properly, but we did nbot have it tested. If you need more pictures or information, please email me. Buyer to pay for item and mailing cost within 10 days after auction ends. Checks may require the usual hold until cleared. Thanks for looking. ***Mailing cost will be based on a 3 pound package from zip 33935.****

Ronald M · 03-11-2006

Looks to be a post war 111c. Count on new shutter curtains and a cla. Mark Hama.com will charge $180 and does a good job.

As I look around, all the curtains from this era are no good. The rubber cloth deteriorates with age. Even if you think they look good, you can get pin holes you can`t see, yet they leave streaks on the film in the sky at high shutter speeds to start, then slower ones.

Mike Kovacs · 03-11-2006

No its a IIIA (aka model G) according to the serial. Camera and lens are 1936 vintage.

All repair advice applies - its 70 years old!

doubs43 · 03-11-2006

The camera is a model IIIa made in 1936/1937. (The block of serial numbers may have crossed from '36 to '37.) The lens is a 1936 so is likely to be original to the camera.

You won't really know about the shutter until you actually lay hands on the camera and use it. One of my very nicest Leicas is a IIIc from 1950 and it works as smoothly as a new camera. It's nicer than a couple of my IIIf's that are many years younger. I bought it that way off of ebay and the seller didn't mention CLA at all. I suspect it has been in the not too distant past.

Yesterday I received a 1936 IIIa in the mail and the cosmetics are pretty rough. The vulcanite looks like it's hanging on by it's fingernails and is cracked and chipped in several places. However, the rangefinder is as contrasty as any screw mount Leica I own and the shutter not only appears to be in excellent condition but is almost as smooth in operation as the IIIc I mentioned above. I'm going to take some pictures this afternoon and will let you know how it does. It came with a 50mm f/1.9 Serenar that I had to clean fungus from but now looks to be fine.

The auction you are watching will end just before 1:00 PM EST tomorrow and, while I'm guessing, I would expect the final price to be in the $250 ~ $275 area. Sunday afternoons are generally not the best time for a bargain.

The model IIIa (Model G in Europe) is a beautifully-made piece of machinery and a good one is a fine camera. Good luck if you bid.

Walker

raid · 03-11-2006

I am waiting for a Canon IVsb with a shutter that is stuck on one speed sort of. I wonder what kind of CLA it may need to bring back all shutter speeds.

doubs43 · 03-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by raid amin

I am waiting for a Canon IVsb with a shutter that is stuck on one speed sort of. I wonder what kind of CLA it may need to bring back all shutter speeds.

Raid, it's hard to tell and it will depend upon the sticky shutter speed. In general, it's the slow speeds that stick and often that's from a lack of use. Sometimes a slow speed can be coaxed into working by multiple firing of the slow speeds...... sometimes not.

If this is to be a "user", a CLA would be a good idea. A Canon RF is a finely-built camera and worth having put right.

BTW, the IIIa Leica I received yesterday was purchased cheap and I'd intended it to be a "donor" to fix up my late father's IIIa. While it looks rough, it works beautifully so I'll probably put a new covering on it and use it.

Walker

doubs43 · 03-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicolasD

The shutter release button crown of the Leica IIIa advertised here is not original and comes from a Zorki.

It diminishes the value and the aesthetics of the camera in a sensitive way.

The release button itself is correct. While I don't know if Leitz made the illustrated collar as a replacement for the original collar, I do know that they were offered as a "soft releaser" (before the over-size buttons became popular later) by someone and I'm willing to bet that the Russians copied theirs from someone else. IMO, it was designed to keep large fingers from touching the rotating shutter speed dial and messing up the shutter speeds when the shutter was fired.

Many of the original collars have been lost and if the present collar bothers the buyer, it is easy enough to unscrew. IMO, it wouldn't lower value one penny. Wheter you like the looks of them is another matter.

Walker

raid · 03-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubs43

Raid, it's hard to tell and it will depend upon the sticky shutter speed. In general, it's the slow speeds that stick and often that's from a lack of use. Sometimes a slow speed can be coaxed into working by multiple firing of the slow speeds...... sometimes not.

If this is to be a "user", a CLA would be a good idea. A Canon RF is a finely-built camera and worth having put right.

BTW, the IIIa Leica I received yesterday was purchased cheap and I'd intended it to be a "donor" to fix up my late father's IIIa. While it looks rough, it works beautifully so I'll probably put a new covering on it and use it.

Walker

Walker,
I bought this camera as a user back-up body. It comes with a 50/1.8 lens that I will sell here hopefully. The camera will get a CLA to make it fully operational again. It actually looks nice cosmetically. I am waiting for the mail .,..

doubs43 · 03-12-2006

With just under 1 hour and 45 minutes left, the bid for this IIIa Leica has reached $305. That's higher than my forecast of $250 ~ $275 and it's likely to go up more in the final few seconds of the auction.

Sunday afternoons are not a good time for bargains.

Walker

laptoprob · 03-12-2006

So I got lucky with my IIf for around 70 euros ex. shipping?

Rob

harry01562 · 03-12-2006

Woof.... ended at $405... way over my estimate, also. Hope its as nice as the price, but eBay is always a crapshoot. I paid much less for a nice one, with Summar, and bought from a very well known dealer.

I guess Sunday afternoon is for sellers....

Harry

doubs43 · 03-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry01562

Woof.... ended at $405... way over my estimate, also. Hope its as nice as the price, but eBay is always a crapshoot. I paid much less for a nice one, with Summar, and bought from a very well known dealer.

I guess Sunday afternoon is for sellers....

Harry

Unbelieveable! That's the most I believe I've seen a IIIa with Summar bring. Generally they run in the range I stated; $250 ~ $275. Only the truly exceptional examples bring much more.

Harry, you're correct that ebay is a total crap shoot.

Rob, you did indeed get a bargain on your IIf and it should hold it's value well as it's not a common model. Good going.

Walker