Expert: David Silver - 7/11/2006

Question
Hello David,

My wife recently purchased a Leica camera for me at an estate sale for $5.00(Canadian$$). Here are the specifics that I have been able to determine from the Leica website.

CAMERA:           BLACK LEICA  III
SERIAL NO.          128801
MANUFACTURE  DATE:            1934
BATCH:                 10,600
INSCRIPTION:       ERNST LEITZ WETZLAR  D.R.P.

LENS:      LEICA SUMMARON 1:3.5  F= 35MM
SERIAL NO.   1158547

LENS:      LEICA HEKTOR 1:4.5  F=135MM
SERIAL NO.   371097

LENS:      LEICA VIDOM VIEWFINDER WITH REAR PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT
SERIAL NO.   NONE

LENS HOOD:   LEICA SUMMAR GEGENLICHTBLENDE SOOMP

If the camera is indeed from 1934, the body appears to be in good condition. It is in the (presumably) original leather case. Both lenses appear to be in good condition (have lens caps) as well and fit the camera.

I am interested in knowing the following:

a) ball park estimate of the camera's present value
b) date of manufacture of the Hektor lens and estimated value
c) date of manufacture of the Vidom lens (chrome)and estimated value (if possible)
d) What / how I could go about to clean the bit of surface grime that has built up on the body and control knobs?

I plan to take .jpg pics in the near future, but would prefer to clean the camera a bit before I do this.

Any information you can provide would be greatfully appreciated.

Dan Beaudry  

Answer
Hello Dan,

Wow!  You made quite a fabulous purchase for only five Canadian dollars!

According to the serial number, you do indeed have a Leica III made by Leitz of Germany in 1934.  This is a fairly common model, and a total of 76,000 were produced from 1933 to 1939.  The majority came in chrome finish and tend to sell for only around US$250 today.  However, a truly excellent example of the black finished version, with an appropriately matched Leitz Summar (which you might have since you also have the SOOMP hood) or Elmar 5cm lens can reach about US$400.  If you actually don't have a 5cm lens on the camera, subtract US$100.

The Leitz Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 wide angle lens is extremely common, over 80,000 were sold between 1949 and 1959 (yours dates from 1954), and tend to suffer from mold infiltration.  A truly excellent example might go for US$150.

The Leitz Hektor 13.5cm f4.5 telephoto lens is the second most common non-normal (ie. not a 5cm) lens they made, over 104,000 sold from 1933 to 1960 (yours dates from 1937), and truly excellent examples rarely go for much more than US$50.  It was a pretty cheap lens even in its day.

The VIDOM was an early Leitz multi-focal viewfinder, made from 1933 to 1939 (after which it was replaced by the classic VIOOH viewfinder), and truly excellent examples today sell for around US$75.

To clean the bits of dirt and grime out of the nooks and crannies of the camera, I like to use an old soft bristle tooth brush.  Soft bristle only!  A slightly damp rag can be used on the "leather" covering, but don't let it get too wet.  Never rub too hard, never use abrasives, and never apply any cleanser other than the most simple detergent (like a glass cleaner).  If it resists cleaning, then it doesn't want to be cleaned!  If in doubt, leave it alone!

These are all rather difficult items to sell right now.  If you do wish to sell, feel free to e-mail me at <silver@well.com> and I'll gladly recommend a number of honest collectors you can contact for a stress free transaction.  Otherwise go have fun with them!

Once again, congratulations on a fabulous find!

Best wishes,

David Silver