Pacific Rim Camera

WE BUY CAMERAS

Leica

The Leica was the first commercially successful 35mm camera. A bunch of other still cameras were built for the 35mm format, such as the Tourist Multiple, but were marketing failures, and had little impact on the marketplace. In 1910, the optical firm of Ernest Leitz hired away from Zeiss an engineer by the name of Oscar Barnack. He was in poor health, yet he enjoyed photography. It was impractical for him to lug around the large cameras used in that period. Some of the projects he was working on at Leitz involved working with 35mm film, standard movie stock at the time. In 1912-1913 he designed a 35mm camera for his own personnal use. It had an image twice the standard 18 x 24 movie frame- 24 x 36. These cameras eventually led to the Leica, first manufactured in 1923.

Null Series

31 cameras built for pre-production. Serial numbers 100-130. Black with black lens. Folding viewfinder. Extremely valuable.

Leica A

Leica A with Elmar

First production Leica. Fixed lens, no rangefinder. Black, with nickel lens. Easily identified by the "hockey stick" lens lock (over 1" long) on the front of the cameras. First produced with 50/3.5 Anastigmat, a very valuable camera $$$$$, with 50/3.5 Elmax still very valuable, $$$$$, with 50/3.5 Elmar only $$$$, with 50/2.5 Hektor $$$$$.

A very few were factory gold plated, with lizard skin covering. Most of these are fakes. An original is very expensive $$$$$.

Leica B

Like a Leica A, but without focal plane shutter, instead with a Compur shutter, either rim set or dial. Either way, big bucks $$$$$

Leica C

The first model with intercangeable lenses (this camera introduced the Leica screw mount that would continue as the only lens mount made for Leica until the M3 was introduced in 1954, and would live on until 1960). No hockey stick. Two varieties:

Non-Standard- Film to flange distance not consistant between cameras, so lenses must be matched to a specific c amera. The lens is engraved with the last 3 digits of the body serial number. No "0" engraved at 12 o'clock on the lens flange. With lens $$$$$

Standard- You guessed it. They standardized the film to flange distance so all lenses interchange among all bodies. Engraved "0" at 12 o'clock on lens flange. $$$

Leica D (or Leica II)

Leica II in chrome, with 50/2 summitar,and WINKO right angle finder

The first model with coupled rangefinder. Available in black or chrome. No slow speeds, and no patch on the front where the slow speed dial would be. Top speed 1/500. Black $$$ chrome $$

Leica E

Leica E in chrome, with 50/3.5 Elmar, and shoe mounted long base rangefinder

No rangefinder, this camera is a continuation of the standardized C, but with a pull up rewind knob. Black or chrome $$$.

Postwar Standard

There was a small batch made after WWII which have a patch on the front where the slow speed dial would be. $$$$

Leica F ( or Leica III)

Like the model D, but with slow speeds added to the front of the camera. Black $$$, chrome $$
Models marked Fl. 38078 or Fl. 38079 are worth $$$$$

Leica G (or Leica IIIa)

Like the model F, but with 1/1000 top speed. Eyepeices are separate from each other. Black $$$, chrome $$

Leica Reporter

Two models, cataloged as FF and GG, they were based on the F and D cameras respectavely, but modified to hold 250 exposures in the forerunner of todays bulk film back. Valuable in either model, black or chrome $$$$$. Motorized model even more valuable.

Leica IIIb

Like the IIIa, but the eyepices are next to each other in one plastic bezel. Chrome only. $$-$$$
Models marked Fl. 38078 or Fl. 38079 are worth $$$$$

Leica IIIc

Leica IIIc pre-war with 50/3.5 Elmar

This is the first model in which the rangefinder cover is one piece with the top plate. Two major variations
Pre-war models have the advance/rewind lever on a small step (serial numbers 360175-397607). These are normally $$$. However, some were finished in grey enamel (due to a wartime shortage of chrome), had a red shutter curtain (a shortage of materials cause Leitz to experiment with red parachute silk), had a "K" after the serial number (cold weather cameras), and/or bear military markings such as Luftwaffen Eigentum (Air Force) or Heer (Army). These are $$$$-$$$$$.
Post-war models do not have the step, and have serial numbers above 400,000. $$

Leica IIc

A postwar IIIc without the slow speeds. There is a patch where the slow spedds would have been if there were any. Chrome only. $$

Leica Ic

A further stripped down IIc. No viewfinder, two accessory shoes. Chrome only. $$

Leica IIId

A Leica IIIc with self timer. Oh too rare. $$$$$

Leica IIIf

Serial numbers above 525000, these cameras have built in flash synch, with a delay ring underneath the shutter speed dial. Available in two major variations:
The initial version of the IIIf had a shutter speed proression of 1/30, 1/40, and 1/60. It was known as the black dial. $$-$$$
Later version the shutter speed progression is 1/25, 1/50, and 1/75, known as red dial. $$-$$$
Some cameras were provided with self timer levers on the front. $$$
Cameras in black finish, or made in Midland, Ontario are rare, $$$$$

Leica IIf

A IIIf without the slow speeds. Available in black or red dial variations, red dial with top speed of 1/500 or 1/1000. All three variations are worth about the same. $$-$$$

Leica If

A IIf without any finder. Two accessory shoes. Again, red or black dial versions. Red is more common, but both are $$$$

Leica IIIg

The final full featured screw mount model. Identified by the large viewing window, with a smaller window next to it for the brightlines, four windows on the front in all. Although not rare, in clean condition this is a desireable camera. $$$$
In black, engraved with the three crown logo of the Swedish armed forces $$$$$

Leica Ig

Stripped down version of the IIIg, no viewfinders, two accessory shoes, but with slow speeds. Uncommon. $$$$

Microscope and X-ray Leicas

No finders, special mounts, and no lenses. Very rare, although not that highly sought. $$$$

Leica M3

Identified on top plate. Combined rangefinder and viewfinder, with built in frame lines for 50, 90 and 135 lenses.. Opening back. Lever wind. Bayonet mount. Two variations:
Dual Stroke- The advance lever must be advanced two strokes to wind the film. ( The engineers at Leitz thought that advancing the film in one stroke would tear out the sprocket holes. Probably one of Leica's biggest follys.) Under serial number 701000 $$$$$. Otherwise $$$$.
Single Stroke $$$$
Either variation, olive green or black finish $$$$$.

Leica M2

Identified on top plate. Viewfinder for 35, 50 and 90mm lenses. Many variations. Most $$$-$$$$.
Black or grey paint finish $$$$$
Marked M2R on top (uses M4 film loading system) $$$$$
Marked M2M on top (accepts electric motor drive) $$$$$

Leica MP/MP2

Identified on top plate. Very rare modified version of the M series. Many conterfits. Terribly valuable. $$$$$ black or chrome.

Leica M4

Identified on top plate. Viewfinder for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm lenses. Chrome or black chrome $$$$. Black enamel, olive green finish, Canadian or 50 jahre anniversary models $$$$$.

Leica M4M, M4MOT

Identified on top plate. Black enamel. Modified for use with electric motor drive. $$$$$

Leica M1

Identified on front. Viewfinder only, for 35 and 50mm lenses. $$$

Leica MD/ MDa/MD2

Identified on top plate. No viewfinder. $$$

Leica M5

Identified on top plate. First model with built in light meter, it was too big and became a marketing disaster. Available with two or three strap lugs, and in black or chrome. $$$$$
50 jahre anniversary models $$$$$

Leica M4-2

Identified on front. The updated version of the M4. Black $$$-$$$$. Gold or chrome $$$$$.

Leica M4-P

Identified on front. The updated version of the M4-2. Black $$$-$$$$. Chrome $$$$$.

Leica M6

Identified on front. The metered version of the M4-P. Black or chrome $$$$. Titanium $$$$$.

Leica CL/CLE

Identified on front. Compact rangefinder using M series lenses, with meters. A joint venture with Minolta. $$$-$$$$.
50 jahre anniversary models $$$$

Leica SLR Models

Leicaflex

Identified on the front. Meter not thru the lens. Chrome $$, black $$$.
Olympic (with Olympic rings engraved on camera) $$$$

Leicaflex SL

Identified on the front. TTL metering. Chrome $$, black $$$
MOT (engraved on the prism) motorized camera, with motor $$$$

Leicaflex SL2

Last of the Leicaflexes before they went to the R series, and considered by many one of the finest SLR's ever built. Black or chrome $$$.
MOT (engraved on the front) motorized camera, with motor $$$$
50 jahre anniversary models $$$$

Leica R Series

These are more modern, and are difficult to sell, especially the R4 and R4s. We will buy them, but usually only at $$

Leicaflex Mini

An autofocus "point and shoot" camera. Very new. $$