My Father's Camera Collection

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Newbie here. I hope this is an appropriate question in the appropriate forum...</p>

<p>My 92-year-old, German-immigrant father has accumulated some cameras over his lifetime. Are they collectors' items? </p>

<p>The cameras are:<br>

1. Leica D.R.P. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Germany Nr. 557800<br />2. Exakta Jhagee Dresden<br />3. Kodak Retina Ia 473496 Made in Germany<br />4. Durata Certo Gauthier GmbH Calmbach Prontor II [AGC logo]<br />5. Various Lenses</p>

<p>I made a web site with pictures of the cameras: <strong><a href="http://hansklein.org/bup/cameras">http://hansklein.org/bup/cameras</a></strong></p>

<p>Thanks for any information anyone can provide<br>

-<br>

Hans<br />hk[at]hansklein.org</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi!<br /> The Leica is a IIIf model, looks quite clean apart from corrosion to the base (reaction with leather of case). The 5 cm lens does not look very clean - this dirt may just be on the outside, trying cleaning with a VERY SOFT microporous cloth (blow on it first to remove any small pieces of grit).<br /> The Exakta is an early model called the Kine Exakta (it took 35 mm film, the earlier VP model took 127 rollfilm). It has one or two spots of corrosion, generally the condition is well above average, the lens is very clean externally but I cannot tell if the glass has mold, a desirable collectable, particularly if the shutter works.<br /> Items 3 and 4 are simple cameras but in well above average condition. Collectable but not worth megamoney.<br /> Lenses - the Summaron and Hektor are for the Leica, the others for the Exakta. They look quite clean and are collectable. The Summaron is probably worth the most money.<br /> For values please look on e-bay and search completed sales. A collectable camera dealer would buy all your items immediately but of course for less money than you would get on e-bay.<br /> Best regards,<br /> David H. Bebbington</p>

<p> </p>

Re nr. 4: the AGC logo is that of Alfred Gauthier (AG) who was a shutter maker situated in Calmbach (the C in the logo). Prontor is the brand name his shutters were sold under. So Gauthier GmbH Calmbach and the AGC logo only (!) refer to the Prontor shutter. (Just like the Rodenstock on the lens mounted in the Prontor only refers to (the maker of) the lens itself).<br>Certo was the maker of the camera. The Durata camera is post-WWII.

<p>I don't think any are particularly "collector items", but if they are all clean and working properly without issues, they should sell well as user items.</p>

<p>I use: http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/</p>

<p>to find approximate prices for older cameras and lenses. Leicas are always collector's items, though not all super valuable. (To me, super valuable is over $1000.)</p>

<p>I suspect some to many of those cameras and lenses are in the $100 to $300 range. <br>

The IIIf is a little complicated, as they make fine distinctions that can make a big difference in price. http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/search.php?param=leica+iiif</p>

<p>There are a large number of older cameras in the $10 to $50 range, if the shutter works.</p>

 

<p>With a good CLA job and new curtains both Leica and Exakta will work for another 50 years, easily. I would think that Cameras are to be used well to make pictures. The showcase will be a by-product, as Rick Drawbridge demonstrates, consistently on this Forum. sp.</p>

<p>Many thanks to everyone here for this useful information!<br>

Hans</p>

 

<p>Hans, the Leica IIIf is a superb shooter and should be easy to CLA and fit new curtains for not an inordinate amount. I have one like yours but older (Nr. 48****) and with the self timer; also cleaner. It belonged to my father who died at 91 in 1995. I'd try to find me a used screw mount Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35/2.5 with the accessory brightline finder and put it to work. The Color-Skopar is a modern lens with excellent image quality and goes on the IIIf like it was born there. I still shoot mine with modern Voigtländer lenses.</p>

<p>Your father had good taste for cameras. The Exakta Flektogon 25/4 is a sought-after lens. As said above, look at e*Bay completed listings for a price / value guidance. All items are competent shooters that should do very well after normal technical care and maintenance.</p>