Cameras/Antique Leica 35mm
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Question
I have an old Leica 35mm my dad purchased in the PX in Germany in 1954/55 era. It's in good shape and still has the original leather Leica case also in good shape. It is serial Nc771057. And has the Nokton 1:1.5 / 50 mm lens. It has no other markings other then"Leica DBP, Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar Gremany"
Does it have any value?
Thanks
Bill
Hello Bill,
Serial number 771057 is a Leica IIIf, a traditional 35mm rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in 1955. The lens is from Voigtlander, a completely different manufacturer, actually a major competitor to Leitz, but it's pretty darn good anyway. This is an extremely common camera, with over 188,000 produced from 1950 to 1957, but it retains value because it's still considered a fine usable piece. If your dad bought the camera at the military PX, there's a good possibility it has the EP mark engraved into the chrome top plate that would have allowed him to bring it back to the USA without paying any duties. In excellent fully functional condition, it's worth $350-$400, but it's a difficult camera to sell because the supply exceeds the demand. If you forward this message to me at the e-mail address below, with a couple small pics of the camera (emphasis on small, thanks), I'd be happy to give you a hand finding an appropriate buyer who will pay a good price, and appreciate and preserve the camera.
Best wishes,
David F. Silver - President
International Photographic Historical Organization
silver@photographyhistory.com
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David 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:
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