Expert: David Silver - 11/29/2006

Question
Hi,I have a couple cameras that were my great uncle's. I'm just trying to get some general info as I have no idea about them. They both look to be in perfect condition and as far as i can tell everything on both of them works fine. The top of the first one says Leica DRP Ernst Leitz Wetzler, No 397349. Its got a black body and silver top, bottom plate, and lens. The lens reads Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, Summaron f=3,5cm 1:35.
The second camera top plate reads Leica DRP Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Germany, No 610577. The film winder on this one has red inlays in it. The lens is also much bigger. It says Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar, Summarit f=5cm 1:1.5 Nr. 1527470. This camera is also black with silver top, bottom, and lens. Any info is appreciated.

Answer

Hello,

Both of these are classic 35mm coupled rangefinder cameras made by Leitz of Germany.  The camera with serial #397349 is a Leica IIIc made in 1945.  The IIIc is a very common model, over 130,000 were made between 1940 and 1950, and many have survived.  Collectors prefer examples with serial numbers below 400,000 (they call them "pre-war" versions) because they tend to be better made.  Your example is especially interesting because it came from the very last batch made before the end of the war.  There is a strong possibility your example was made for the German military, or at least made to their specifcations with a special shutter.  If you screw off the lens and look at the shutter curtains (advance the shutter so you can inspect the leading and following curtains) there may be a surprise.  The curtains are normally black, but you may have a red one, and that would indicate a special shutter.  Truly excellent examples of the pre-war version Leica IIIc, with an appropriate Leitz lens (the Summaron wide-angle lens is just fine), can sell for around $400.  However, if you have a red curtain model it could go as high as $1000.  The camera with serial #610577 is a Leica IIIf "black dial" made in 1952.  The IIIf is also a very common model, about 184,000 were sold from 1950 to 1957, and it seems like they pop-up everywhere today.  We call this a "black dial" version because the flash synchronization numbers (seen engraved directly into the top plate surrounding the shutter speed dial) are painted black.  After 1952 Leitz redesigned the shutter, and to indicate the change they painted those numbers red, thus they were called "red dial" versions.  Just a lot of trivia for the Leica nuts out there.  Anyway, a truly excellent Leica IIIf with a clean Summarit 5cm lens will also bring around $400 today.

Best wishes,

David Silver