AboutDavid Silver Expertise I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
Question i would like to know how much would a collector pay for this camera,it comes with bag and different set of lenses in bag.
Answer
Hello,
Serial number 124557 should be a Leica III (also known as the Leica Model F), a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in 1933. It's a very common model, with over 76,000 produced between 1933 and 1939, but retains fairly good value today. An excellent clean working example, with proper matching Leitz 5cm lens (an Elmar or Summar) will still sell for around $150-$175 in the current collectible camera market. However, there may be much more value in the extra lenses and accessories, and these need to be evaluated further. They're all tough items to sell today, but if you forward this message, with a few small JPEG digital images of the gear, to me at <silver@well.com> I'll look it all over for you, and perhaps I can recommend some buyers.
