A very pretty fake?

jkelly · 05-23-2006

Is this a fake?. It's at least very attractive if it is. If it didn't have a reserve price, I might bid on it.

kmack · 05-23-2006

Well, the serial number seems to be in the ball park, according to the list on Cameraquest.

I don't know much (if anything) about the leica 1's but it if it is not an original it is a good copy.
The shutter release button looks a little funky though.

je2a3 · 05-23-2006

It looks real to me, it's hard to make a convincing copy of the nickel fittings.

Joseph

pshinkaw · 05-23-2006

I've got 2 photos of this model in reference books. The first is from the Leica Pocket Book, by Brian Tompkins. It shows this model with a mushroom type shutter release. Otherwise it is identical to what is in the auction. The second is from the Leica Manual and Data Book, Thirteenth Edition (1956) by Morgan and Morgan. It shows this model with the same type of shutter release as pictured in the auction. Both references show the Leica I (A) with a 50mm lens marked in millimeters. Later model lenses were marked in centimeters (5 cm).

The one in the auction appears to be missing its shutter release collar. Otherwise I can see no discrepancies between it and the reference photos.

Also, the interior view showing the shutter release spring is definitely NOT a Zorki or Fed. I think it's the real thing.

-Paul

kmack · 05-24-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshinkaw

The one in the auction appears to be missing its shutter release collar. Otherwise I can see no discrepancies between it and the reference photos.

-Paul

Thanks, I thought it looked funky, I just did not know why!

Solinar · 05-24-2006

Yep, it looks to be the real McCoy, but the fresh looking paint on the top cover is a bit funky. Most Leica I cameras have that I've seen have that well worn look with the brass showing through.

SteveM(PA) · 05-24-2006

almost 1G already...gee...(slowly backs away, with garbage truck beeping sound)

Kim Coxon · 05-24-2006

There is something slightly odd in the bidding pattern on this one. On a "normal" auction it would only be about $65. The last 4 bids are all the same person and it doesn't normally knock the price up like that.

Kim