Jerevan
Recycled User
That the number series allotted stretched over more than one year? And thus it could have been made in 41 or 42.
Dave Little
Member
AlTheKiller
Established
my 111b hanging out at work with me
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
Not a III, posted in the wrong thread.
Last edited:
scigeek
Well-known
Nothing unusual or rare I'm afraid, just another red-blind 111c user.
Flyingdutchman
Newbie
Hi,
Erik van Straaten asked me to post these photos here, I'm happy to follow his advise.
So, please, let's have a look on this camera, a IIIc issued to the German Nazi Luftwaffe in Berlin. This camera and matching lens was delivered at January 10th, 1941 to Berlin in accordance to the Leitz delivery book. The red shutter curtain is still there, camera works nicely. I've learned it's quite scarce to find a matching set.
Best;
Hermann
Erik van Straaten asked me to post these photos here, I'm happy to follow his advise.
So, please, let's have a look on this camera, a IIIc issued to the German Nazi Luftwaffe in Berlin. This camera and matching lens was delivered at January 10th, 1941 to Berlin in accordance to the Leitz delivery book. The red shutter curtain is still there, camera works nicely. I've learned it's quite scarce to find a matching set.
Best;
Hermann
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Thank you, Hermann, a great looking set. It is a miracle that the camera still works with the red blinds, usually these are very sticky nowadays.
Can you tell something about its history? Where did you find it, etc.
Erik.
Can you tell something about its history? Where did you find it, etc.
Erik.
Flyingdutchman
Newbie
Erik, sure I can. When my publisher in PA started to discuss a book project with me about vintage Leica cameras, I started to read here and there. I saw a few posts on various forums, also here, of course. Because basically I have done coffee table books about historic weapons, the military cameras catched my eye. Than a dealer told me by coincidence that he has to offer such a camera with an interesting historical background, funnily for a low price. I have some contact to the company and they checked everything for me, so I bought it w/o hesitation. It's remarkable that the company still has all the delivery AND service books, so it's possible to learn a lot about a specific item. This can be the case here, but it's too early to speak about the person who probably once owned it, some proof is still needed.
I wondered myself that the camera is still in working condition. Service by Leica after war, they would have replaced the red "Ersatz" curtain, so it's a time capsule, which matches the dealers story.
Thank you for looking.
Best;
Hermann
Leica IIIc #378740, from a batch ( 378726-378742 ) shipped 2.9.1941, conversion to IIIf
Note the LE designation on the lens
Note the LE designation on the lens
'41-42 IIIc 'stepper' red curtain #369814. Came with matching (uncoated) Summitar although it's sporting a post-war Elmar in this pc.
ChromeDome
Chrome Dome
Leica IIIc stepper
Leica IIIc stepper
Here's a Leica IIIc "stepper" that I have. It came with a Canon Lens 50mm f:1.8 Canon Camera Co. Japan No.206201 and a FOCAL U.V. clear filter.
Everything appears to work, albeit the slower speeds are slower than I imagined. But I guess a Cleaning, Lubrication, and Adjustment should set things right-as-rain.
It also came with a Leica leather case that has the lens part sewn on upside down.
There are also matching "service numbers" on the bottom film rewind part and the inside of the bottom plate. I would really like to find out its original owner or at least where it was first delivered to.
This was one from a box of cameras that I salvaged from an estate. The only history I know about it is the owner was drafted into the RAF post-war (his employment during the war was considered crucial) and then worked as a radio tech doing aerial mapping all over the world: Middle East, Asia, and Europe and he was involved in the first survey of the North Sea oil fields.
The box also included a Kodak RetinetteSu IB (Made in Germany), a Zeiss Ikon CONTAFLEX I 861/02, a Canon AT-1, and a Minolta Maxxum 7000.
It also came with a vintage Weston Master II universal exposure meter, a Walz Universal Finder, and other bits'n bobs.
Leica IIIc stepper
Here's a Leica IIIc "stepper" that I have. It came with a Canon Lens 50mm f:1.8 Canon Camera Co. Japan No.206201 and a FOCAL U.V. clear filter.
Everything appears to work, albeit the slower speeds are slower than I imagined. But I guess a Cleaning, Lubrication, and Adjustment should set things right-as-rain.
It also came with a Leica leather case that has the lens part sewn on upside down.
There are also matching "service numbers" on the bottom film rewind part and the inside of the bottom plate. I would really like to find out its original owner or at least where it was first delivered to.
This was one from a box of cameras that I salvaged from an estate. The only history I know about it is the owner was drafted into the RAF post-war (his employment during the war was considered crucial) and then worked as a radio tech doing aerial mapping all over the world: Middle East, Asia, and Europe and he was involved in the first survey of the North Sea oil fields.
The box also included a Kodak RetinetteSu IB (Made in Germany), a Zeiss Ikon CONTAFLEX I 861/02, a Canon AT-1, and a Minolta Maxxum 7000.
It also came with a vintage Weston Master II universal exposure meter, a Walz Universal Finder, and other bits'n bobs.
Attachments
This is the same camera as in post #30, now sporting different top and bottom plates, painted by Alan Starkie. The extra top and bottom plates were acquired a few years ago in a big pile of parts, and I was unable to find a stepper chassis to use them on, so I decided to use this camera instead, which now can appear as either chrome or black depending on the importance of the event. 
mr_luke
Newbie
I was recently given this IIIc by my dad, who inherited it around 40 years ago. From what I can work out online, the Fl No. suggests it was made for the Luftwaffe - does anyone have a book to hand in which they can check the serial number? The serial number on the camera is 365884, and the number on the 5cm Elmar lens is 502052. From what I can gather online, those numbers give dates of 1940 and 1939 for the body and lens respectively.
It does look as though the rear of the top plate has been abraded, although I'm not sure it's enough to have removed an engraving. I think the screw in the top of the shutter speed dial must be a previous repair, and the threaded shutter button seems to be done kind of accessory - it unscrews with the shutter guard leading what looks like the original button below.
It does look as though the rear of the top plate has been abraded, although I'm not sure it's enough to have removed an engraving. I think the screw in the top of the shutter speed dial must be a previous repair, and the threaded shutter button seems to be done kind of accessory - it unscrews with the shutter guard leading what looks like the original button below.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
368584 is the number of a IIIc from 1940, the lens is from 1939.
The soft release and the big screw into the speed dial can be parts of a flash synch device. I am not sure about that.
What does the paper say that is in the back of the case?
Erik.
The soft release and the big screw into the speed dial can be parts of a flash synch device. I am not sure about that.
What does the paper say that is in the back of the case?
Erik.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Yeah, the release button and collar are a later 3rd party upgrade.
The bit on top of the speed dial is probably one of those aftermarket flash contacts that works in conjunction with a button or contact in the accessoiry shoe.
The abbrasion on the back does look like something was cleared of...
Interesting piece of history. I have plenty of IIIc cameras, but no Luftwaffe marked ones.
The bit on top of the speed dial is probably one of those aftermarket flash contacts that works in conjunction with a button or contact in the accessoiry shoe.
The abbrasion on the back does look like something was cleared of...
Interesting piece of history. I have plenty of IIIc cameras, but no Luftwaffe marked ones.
mr_luke
Newbie
That's interesting. There is a brass tab under the screw, which rotates with the dial - would this be used as a contact? The bit of paper is just part of a 1990s film packet that I presume was left in there as a film reminder.
jc48375
Changstein
I truly would appreciate it if someone can help me with some historical background of this IIIb made in 1938 and maybe a market value?
Thank you!
Thank you!
FUJINON
Member
Leica IIIb 1939-40
Leica IIIb 1939-40
Leica IIIb.(1939/40)
I like all the pre-war Barnack cameras especially the Leica II and the Leica IIIb.
However I read that the body of the Leica IIIb was considerably strengthened with internal stiffeners and the lens flange is secured to the body with brass inserts - a modification necessitated by the increased weight of some of the new telephoto lenses and by the tendency of the flanges of earlier models to warp (ref:Leica- A History illustrating every Model and Accessory by Paul Henry van Hasbroeck Page 82).
I use a 5cm f3.5 Elmar on my Leica IIIb and it is a very nice camera to use.
Leica IIIb 1939-40
Leica IIIb.(1939/40)
I like all the pre-war Barnack cameras especially the Leica II and the Leica IIIb.
However I read that the body of the Leica IIIb was considerably strengthened with internal stiffeners and the lens flange is secured to the body with brass inserts - a modification necessitated by the increased weight of some of the new telephoto lenses and by the tendency of the flanges of earlier models to warp (ref:Leica- A History illustrating every Model and Accessory by Paul Henry van Hasbroeck Page 82).
I use a 5cm f3.5 Elmar on my Leica IIIb and it is a very nice camera to use.
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
DAG has a red curtain IIIc stepper for sale:
http://www.dagcamera.com/store/p194/Leica_111c_(3c)_War-Time_Red_Curtain_Camera.html
http://www.dagcamera.com/store/p194/Leica_111c_(3c)_War-Time_Red_Curtain_Camera.html
scholzj1
Member
I just got my 1941/42 IIIc back from a CLA. It had a factory upgrade to IIIf sometime in the 1950's. It has a social security number etched into the bottom that I looked up and the guy who it belonged to was born in 1899 and he was an army chaplain. I can only imagine what it has taken pictures of.
