Cameras/Leica DRP Ernst Leitz Wetzlar
Advertisement
Question
I have Leica D.R.P. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, Germany. and the serial number is 592571. The lense says..Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Summitar f=5cm 1:2 Nr911825.
I also have a Leica DBP Ernst Leitz GMBH Wetzlar, Germany. and the serial number is 825164. The lense says..Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Summaron f=35cm 1:35 (no serial number on this one)
I have a spare lense with the set I found that says Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar f=9cm 1:4 Nr.960570
I have not been able to find any information on these products.
Could you please help?
Sean Rutherford
Hello Sean,
The camera with serial #592571 is a Leica IIIf "black dial", a basic 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in 1952. This was the first new model of camera Leitz introduced after World War II, it's rather common (about 71,000 sold from 1950 to early 1953), and it had a number of problems, especially with the shutter mechanism. A truly excellent example, with an appropriate Leitz lens (like the Summitar) would sell for around $300 today, but it MUST be excellent.
The camera with serial #825164 is the much improved Leica IIIf "red dial", and this one was made in 1956. It is more common (over 110,000 were sold from 1953 to 1957), but it's a MUCH better camera than the "black dial" version. A truly excellent example, with appropriate Leitz lens (you should have a Summitar on this as well, but the Summaron is okay) would sell for around $500.
The Elmar 9cm f4 lens is the single most common inexpensive telephoto lens Leitz ever made. Nearly 150,000 were sold from 1933 to 1967. Yours dates from 1952. Not much value today. Truly excellent examples bring around $50.
No great treasures here, but good sturdy Leitz gear. A bit hard to sell because it's some of their more common pieces. If you wish to sell, drop me a line at <silver@well.com> and I'll gladly recommend several good honest collectors you can contact directly for a quick stress-free transaction. Otherwise this sort of thing can be hard to market.
Best wishes,
David Silver
Related Articles
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:
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.