Information about a camera I inherited

[daniel_kennedy]

All,

 

I recently inherited a Leica camera marked DRP on the top. I've

attached the photos here. Basically I'm looking for information on

what I have. I enjoy photography, but being young, it has almost all

been digital. I would like to know what these parts do etc. If you

need better pictures to comment let me know and I will take some

more. Also, if anyone has a idea of what the parts are worth let me

know. Thanks for the help!

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-BetterOneLens.jpg'>

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-

Boxtogowithlightmeter.jpg'>

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-Dohicky.jpg'>

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-FrontShot.jpg'>

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-LightMeter.jpg'>

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-Sooky.jpg'>

 

<IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/dk8019/1-Topshot.jpg'>

[peter_evans4]

<p><em> I would like to know what these parts do etc.</em></p><p>First photo: compact, slowish, "standard" lens. Screw it into the body and take pictures with it.</p><p>Second: pretty much self-explanatory, I'd have thought.</p><p>Third: a filter, or conceivably a close-up accessory.</p><p>Fourth: the body with a not-so-compact, pretty fast, "standard" lens. Leave it screwed into the body and take pictures with it.</p><p>Fifth: exposure meter. Likely to be kaput by now, but who knows? An exposure meter is useful to judge the amount of light; but even if this is working as well as it ever did, cheap newer alternatives are probably better.</p><p>Sixth: I dunno; some closeup doodad, I think. Use your digicam for closeups.</p></p>Seventh: neat-o camera with lens screwed in. Play with it!</p><p><em>Also, if anyone has a idea of what the parts are worth let me know.</em></p><p>If you try them and like them, they're worth a lot to you.</p>

[daniel_kennedy]

To be entirely honest, I won't even know where to start in attempting to use this thing. I have no idea what the large collection of dials and knobs, and other gadgets on it do. I did find out in my quest for knowledge that the Sooky thing is to be used with the lense on the camera to take close up pictures.

[vidom]

You have a late Leica IIIf RD ST, which is one of the most desirable screw mount Leicas. First lens is a very late 3,5/50 "red scale" Elmar, the other a collapsible Summicron 2/50, both of which can be considered the best of their time given the speed of each lens. I dunno what this filter thing is, being made by Leitz NY makes it a collector's item. Maybe it's an UV filter. The meter is - well, a meter. It propably doesn't work no more. The SOOKY ("optisches Naheinstellgerät") is an optical close up device to be used with the Elmar AFAIK. All of this is a very high quality late fifties equipment that has relatively high collector's value nowadays, but most of all it will give you first rate results on film. Never sell it, use it and get to know the pleasures of true Leica photography!

[malcolm_tentt]

The lens in the first photo is referred to as a "red scale Elmar". The last photo of the camera itself shows it to be a "IIIf Red Dial Delayed Action". Both of these items are considered somewhat desireable by the legions of fanatic collectors to whom these relics mostly appeal. Do yourself a grand favour and offer the lot of it up at Ebay, give some poor sod the thrill of his life, meanwhile even if you've the notion to shoot some film on a lark, do avail yourself of any one of a thousand fine, modern cameras you can purchase for a fraction of what you'll recover on this kit.

[daniel_kennedy]

So where is good place to learn to use this thing? I know nothing of manual cameras, but would love to know how to use one.

[daniel_kennedy]

So Malcom says sell, which to be honest would be easier than learning how to use it, that may sound lame, but I have the feeling that I would get better use out of something newer, even being a manual camera. If I were to sell it, would ebay be the best place, and would it be best to part it, or sell it all together? Also, just to clear my first post up, I didn't inherit it really, my wife's father gave it to me, because his father gave it to him, and he never used it, and figured I could either determine how to use it, or sell it to buy something more useful. There's really no attachment to it, as he and his father were never close apparently, it has just sat forever in a drawer...kind of sad actually, perhaps I can put it to good use, or someone else who can appreciate it can.

[vidom]

A nice place to start from is www.cameraquest.com with lots of information on old Leicas and some more useful stuff.

[mskovacs]

I would get it looked over by someone knowledgeable. The shutter curtains are fabric and often have holes. The timing gearing may be all gummed up after years of disuse. The rangefinder mirror may have deteriorated. Someone like John Maddox in the USA could fix this beauty up for a couple of c-notes I'm sure.

 

Loading these cameras is a bit of an adventure :)

 

FYI the coating on the front elements of these era of Leitz lenses are extremely delicate. Don't attempt to clean them if you don't know what you're doing or you may scratch them.

 

There is a nice intro to screwmount Leica cameras here, enjoy:

 

http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmcam.htm

[mskovacs]

oh - and use them, don't sell them! I have a great time using my Zeiss Contax cameras of the same era. These were the main rival to Leica in those days :)

 

I'd like to pick one of these up just to see how much better my Contaxes are :p

[bj_rn_roth]

The camera is a Leica IIIf. A quick googling reveals several manuals online, like <a href="http://yandr.50megs.com/leica/3f/page3.htm">this</a>.

[al_kaplan1]

If you're near a college campus there is likely a course or two where you could learn to use the camera, as well as black & white film developing and printing. If you tell us where you live there might be somebody reading this who lives nearby and would be glad to show you the basics. There is a place called Quality Light-Metric that can replace a dead cell in those old meters but buying a new meter from Cameraquest might be cheaper.

 

If you have a used book store around look for a copy of The Leica Manual. There were several editions over the years but any should be useful.

[daniel_kennedy]

Thanks for the manual link. I had tried to find it, but I couldn't determine the model type, just the DRP info. Thanks for the help guys!

[steve_ries]

Don't sell it, learn how to use it. Yes it is going to take time and it is not going to be easy but in the end this camera will make you very happy. If you don't have the time right now then just store it in a safe dry place.

 

Regards,

Steve

[owen w.]

Gee! I'm somewhat surprised by (some of) the responses here. Usually, this crowd is much more generous to someone like you. The photos suggest that the kit you've inherited is not only among the highest quality of that generation, but also in seemingly outstanding condition. You are far more fortunate than you suspect. Almost anyone on this forum would have been thrilled (would BE thrilled) to inherit such equipment. While you may want to keep your digital point and shoot for fast and convenient snapshots, the ability to take truly memorable photos with what you have there can barely be matched by new expensive gear (that will go obsolete in short order, anyway).

<p>

You say little about yourself, but unless you are really Shallow Hal in disguise, you should keep these and learn a bit about "real" photography. Yes, there is a modest learning curve. But it ain't rocket science, and it is really, really worth it. Not only that, these will retain their value for many more years. So, what's the rush to dump them?

<p>

The several extra bits and parts are specialty pieces. Put those aside for now. The close-up attachment is probably not worth the effort to learn to use. The screw-in filter is just a skylight (SL) filter that is generally used as a protection for the lens it fits. From the photo, the lens on the camera is in excellent condition, and probably because that filter has been on it. That lens is often damaged by over-cleaning, so the SL filters were a good idea.

<p>

In this thread, there have been several links to classic camera, as well as to a manual or two. The Classic Camera site takes a little time to navigate, but is a wealth of detail. I repeat myself, but I must, that you have inherited a fabulous camera. It is among the most desired of that generation. IF you really, really aren't interested, well... Then consign it to the auction site. There is no doubt you will get an excellent return. But I really recommend taking a bit of time to get to know it. The previous owner has clearly loved this camera. Beautiful stuff.

<p>

Lucky boy.

[frank_scheitrowsky1]

Lucky you! Your gear has a value of $800 to $1000. It is worth a lot more if it can get you interested in photography. This gear was the premium photo gear available in its time and is still a very competent kit today. It is not costing you any money so I suggest hanging on to it in case you or someone close to you in your family really becomes interested in photography.

[jeff voorhees]

Daniel-

 

I suppose most most everything has been said, but: Do not let people tell you that these cameras are hard to load. The instructions are clear and if followed, the camera loads easily enough.

 

True, this kit you've got is 50+ years old, but as already mentioned, this was top of the line gear in the 50's. Both of those lenses are terrific. To me, you've been presented an opportunity to study photograpy beyond the "push this button" style of automated picture taking. And if I may: I doubt any of us will be handing down today's digital gear to our decendants.

 

Look on Ebay for a manual for your IIIf Red Dial. I've forgotten the name, but there is a seller who will provide a printed manual or burn you a copy on CD.

[frank uhlig]

Daniel,

 

just take it as a call to get some film and shoot a roll by the f/16 rule. If the film comes out wonderful, as we all expect, the camera is ok. (DO not take the roll to WALMART, though, find a real camera shop in your area for best results with any film.) Else invest in a CLA (clean adjust and lubricate). Search phnet for reasonable technicians with Leicas in your area.

 

BUT, by all means, take this opportunity to learn photography from the basics and enjoy it as an art and a craft!

 

CONGRATULATIONS on being deemed suitable for such a legacy!

 

DRP means Deutsches Reich Patent, nothing much at all ...

[jeff voorhees]

Daniel-

 

Here's an address: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html

 

Sorry its not a link, but this website has free manuals, you'll find the IIIf here.

[stephen hazelton]

For general photography, try your local library. Lots of good info, and it doesn't have to be up-to-date.

 

If you do sell this stuff, careful how you do it. For example, people are real leary of Ebay sellers who sell high-dollar items but don't have high feedback ratings, or that haven't bought/sold expensive items before. People that sell stuff and say "I don't know nuthin' about it" are another red flag- that often means "it doesn't work, but I'm going to pretend ignorance". Net effect is that you might not get the prices you'd expect. There are various scams used by buyers as well (the "cashier's check scam", for example).

 

The cameras will occasionally need adjustments and cleaning, and if that has been done recently, it adds to the value.

 

Somebody gave you the model names and all up there. Look around on Ebay or used equipment ads and you can get a pretty good idea of the worth of the different items.

 

The ideal solution is to get an idea of what it's worth off ebay or whatever, and then sell the lot to someone that lives right in your area, where they can actually look it all over beforehand.

[jeff_wilson13]

It should need only a half-bucket of tar to fix the shuttter cracks.

[adrian bastin]

Daniel: to get an idea of what this Summicron lens can do take a look at the later work of Henri Cartier Bresson; someone who was capable of getting the very best from it. Would take a few lifetimes to emulate, though.

Take your time; you might well grow to love it.

[stephen_w.]

"To be entirely honest, I won't even know where to start in attempting to use this thing. I have no idea what the large collection of dials and knobs, and other gadgets on it do."

 

Quite the opposite for me: I would not know where to start with a digicam, given all the buttons, menus, and 300 page poorly written operating manuals. A friend gave me his digicam when he "upgraded" a few years ago; I don't even know where it is.

 

I would keep the IIIF and 50/2.0 and use it, store or sell the rest. It may improve your knowledge of photo technique...for your digicam use.

 

Disclaimer: I did not fully read all the posts above.

[david_kelly1]

That meter appears to have both its original box and the incident attachment(that gadget on the chain), so it may be collectible. The SOOKY close-up attachment and the 3.5 Elmar lens with both front and rear caps and case are sure to attract collectors. So might the vintage filter. Selling them should finance a clean, lube and adjust of the IIIF, as well as a shutter curtain replacement if needed, from an expert repairman like DAG (whom google). In your place I would absolutely hang on to the camera itself and the superb 50mm Collapsible Summicron. But I would waste no time in buying a modern multi-coated UV filter, ideally a B+W MRC, to protect that gorgeously unmarked front element, since finding that lens in that condition is pretty rare.

[Uhooru]

You can always sell this at any time. Why not hang on to it and see where it takes you? Do your reserach and find a place to take a basic black and white photo class to get started. I wouldn't sell this camera right now because if you get into it and decide you would like to use this type of camera, you will never be able to get a rig like this for what you will sell it for now. The value will not drop on this camera. If you just decide you must sell it now for some reason and its burning a hole in your shelf, than do your research on the pieces and the prices. Be careful about selling it to a retailer.

Also, if as you say, its been sitting for ever, than you would want to get the camera CLA'd meaning Cleaned, Lubricated and Adjusted. They will also check for any worn parts such as shutter curtains, shutter, gears, etc. Once that's done, you have a camera that will give you years of great service. Oh, its really not hard to load, once you do it a couple of times. Really, you'll kick yourself if you sell it and then decide you like photography.