Found something interesting

[cody_moore1]

<p>Found this guy this morning! Appears to be a Black Leica III made in 1933 with and Elmar 50mm 3,5 lens. 1 second shutter speed is a little sticky, but other than that it works fine. Lens is in pretty good condition, a little piece of dust but thats it.<br>

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/zipkicker99/DSCF5631.jpg</p>

<p>http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/zipkicker99/DSCF5633.jpg</p>

<p>http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/zipkicker99/DSCF5637.jpg</p>

 

[robert_hooper1]

<p>Hi Cody,</p>

<p>Hard for me to tell much from the quality of the above images. There are lots of Russian Leica Barnack copies around, especially with colorful coverings other than black. If it's a real Leica and lens, it could be worth restoring if the price is right. However, I would confirm that it's not a copy before ever considering purchasing it. There are lots of nice genuine vintage screwmount Leica cameras on the market, so I wouldn't feel pressured to purchase this one if that's what is on your mind. </p>

<p>The Leica III with the Elmar 1:3.5/5cm is a fun camera to use. I have the chrome III with a nickel plated Elmar 1:3.5/5cm. However, as much as I love that little camera, it is very high maintenance. After waiting four months to have it serviced the last time, I've let languish in my desplay cabinet. Now, I only use my leica IIIg bodies if I'm in a LTM mood.</p>

[cody_moore1]

<p>Hi Robert, </p>

<p>Sorry for the image quality, my digital camera is on the fritz lately. Comparing it to my Leica IIIA it appears to be the real Leica. For the price, I thought it was worth the gamble. The lens is definitely a real Leitz Elmar and is actually in pretty good condition. I will ask my sister if I can borrow her camera to try and yield some better images of it.<br>

Where would I look to have the camera restored? </p><div></div>

[robert_hooper1]

<p>Hi Cody,</p>

<p>All my favorite Leica repair people are swamped with work right now but I would enthusiastically consider <a href="http://tlccamerarepair.homestead.com/">Gus Lazzari</a> if he is willing to take on another job. If he is not available, <a href="mailto:wye7@yahoo.com">Youxin Ye</a> is usually very reasonably priced and offers a quick turn-around time. Youxin does not have a web site, but has always been very quick in responding to email. <a href="http://www.dagcamera.com/">Don Goldberg</a> and <a href="http://www.sherrykrauter.com/">Sherry Krauter</a> are overwhelmed with work now and turn-around time is likely to be many months.</p>

[robert_hooper1]

<p>By the way, the bell shaped shutter release surround on your camera does not look like the straight walled surround on my Leica III, but it could be an after-market piece, as they are easily unscrewed.</p>

<p>Also, black painted Leica III bodies had nickel plated knobs and controls. Yours look chrome plated to me.</p>

[mukul_dube]

<p>Slow speed dial, surround of front V/F window, eyepiece focussing control -- all of these are correct. The shutter release surround did not come from the factory.</p>

[astral]

<p>Just for information: about 3000 Leica III cameras were produced with chrome fittings in 1938 (around SN 275xxx), making them a little scarce. However, cameras having one or more replacement chrome items are quite common.</p>

[anthony_brookes5]

<p>It looks genuine to me and is almost identical to my black Leica III of 1934. The shutter button surround is a later accesory which I have on my 1936 Chrome Leica III. It is important to see that the lens serial number agrees with the camera serial number for date. The number is engraved in very small figures around the lens mount. I still use my Leica III and am taking it on holiday with me next month. Wonderful cameras. The knobs look to be nickel which is what they should be.</p>

[cody_moore1]

<p>From what I could find out through the internet, the lens is a 1947 Elmar SN 640896. When this camera was new, was the lettering on the top painted white? I have seen images of both painted and unpainted and it made me curious</p>

[Karim Ghantous]

<p>Well it looks genuine to me, even from those photos. I wish I had not sold my screw mount Leicas. One of the few things I truly regret doing, even though I would not have used them for serious jobs. Ah, well.</p>

[cody_moore1]

<p>What shutter release should it have?</p>

[anthony_brookes5]

<p>The serial number on the camera, which appears to be 166405 would make it a 1935 Leica III</p>

[mukul_dube]

<p>Here's a III with Elmar. It's the thing <em>around</em> the shutter button that's not original. As Robert Hooper said, that's no big deal. The lettering on the top plate will have been engraved and filled with white or off-white paint (black paint for chrome bodies).</p><div></div>

[steve_levine]

<p>FWIW, Sherry K at Golden Touch, stopped working on screwmount bodies years ago.</p>

[Gus Lazzari]

<p>Steve,<br>

That makes total sense that she stopped.<br>

In order <strong>to do it right</strong>, with their advanced age, the Leica screw mounts are extremely labor intensive.</p>