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:
Expert: David Silver Date: 4/8/2006 Subject: Leica Ia with Hektor lens
Question David, if you go to http://www.pbase.com/mel_sny/leica_1a you will see the camera in question and its story. My girlfriend is not going to sell it because it is the only tangible thing her two parents brought back from their escape from the Holocaust. But she does want to know, in listing it for insurance purposes, what this oddball might be worth. We confirmed through Leitz that this was a factory upgrade to the Hektor, and not one of the 1,300 originally made with the faster lens. Even back in 1932, there were some guys who HAD to have the fastest lens!
Answer Hello,
Okay, first things first...the people at Leitz today don't know squat about the history of their own cameras. Absolutely nada. Asking them to verify a serial number is pointless. Yes, they may have given you the right information, but it's a crap shoot and you can't trust them. Send me the serial number from the top of the camera and I will positively verify if this was one of the 1300 that came out of the factory originally wearing the Hektor lens, or a later modification.
From that web page, you seem to be under the impression that the Leica I(A) in general is a camera "only seen in museums". Uh, no. Common as dust. Geez, 60,000 of the darn things were made! I own seven of them (including a genuine Hektor model, but honestly yours kicks booty on mine!), and just this weekend sold another (a well worn four-digit Elmar model dating from 1928) at a major camera show for $400. The Leica I(A) is generally no big deal, BUT finding one with an Anastigmat (I got to touch one once) or Elmax lens (I have one, but it took me years to get it) is huuuuuge, and the Hektor version is probably only a degree of rarity below that.
The Leica was NOT the first 35mm production model, nor did it create the 35mm market. That is a myth and revisionist history perpetuated by Leitz historians and apologists themselves, and unfortunately they succeeded in too many cases. To give you a bit of proper perspective, I refer you to this article:
Considering the condition of your Leica I(A) Hektor, if it turns out to be original, I would suggest a current fair market value of $4000, and an insurance replacement value of $5000. The long-base accessory rangefinder is quite nice, but it's a common FODUA model worth about $150 to $200 today.
Get back to me about the serial number on the camera so we can ascertain if you have an original or a modification. I really do hope it's the former!
