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Photographica Pages

An online guide to collectable cameras and related stuff

Leica

IIIF

Leica IIIf Red Dial Self Timer, with 50/3.5 Elmar

Leica IIIf Black Dial, with 50/3.5 Elmar

Leica If Red Dial, with 50/3.5 Red Scale Elmar

In 1950 Leitz introduced what was to become the highest production screw mount Leica, the IIIF. It was essentially a IIIC with the addition of flash synchronization. Underneath the shutter speed is a ring for flash delay setting for flash bulbs. In 1952, at serial number 611000 the shutter speed progression was changed from 1/30, 1/40, 1/60 to 1/25, 1/50, 175. Earlier cameras are referred to as "Black Dial" or simply "BD" cameras, later ones are " Red Dial" or "RD" cameras.

Another feature was added in 1954, the self timer. It can be readily identified by the large self timer arm on the front wind side of the camera. These are referred to as IIIF RD ST cameras, or occasionally as IIIF D/A cameras.

It should be noted that any IIIF camera could be sent to the factory and upgraded with a self timer.

Other variations include Canadian examples produces in Midland, Ontario, and black finish cameras for the military.

The IIC was replaced in 1951 by the IIF, a IIIF without the slow speeds. Like the IIC, the IIF had a vulcanite patch where the slow speed dial would have been. It was available both as a Red Dial as well as Black Dial. All black dial cameras, and Red Dial cameras made before 1954 have a top speed of 1/500, while red dial cameras made in 1954 and later have a top speed of 1/1000.

To round out the series, the IC was replaced by the IF in 1952. It was a IIF without the rangefinder or viewfinder. Like the IC, it had two accessory shoes on the top. Like the other cameras in this series, it was available both in red and black dial versions. Total production was just under 17,000 cameras, ending in 1958.

Production figures by year:

Leica IIIf

Year
Black Dial Red Dial Self Timer Canadian

1950/51
15,000 -0- -0- -0-

1951
25,000 -0- -0- -0-

1952
30,000 35,000 -0- 1000 Black Dial

1953
-0- 18,000 -0- 1000 Red Dial

1954
-0- -0- 31,000 2000 Self Timer

1955
-0- -0- 9000 1000 Self Timer

1956
-0- -0- 14,600 367 Self Timer

1957
-0- -0- 1133 -0-

Total
70,000 53,000 55,733 5367

Leica IIf

Year	Black Dial	Red Dial 1/500	Red Dial 1/1000
1951	4000	-0-	-0-
1952	4400	4600	-0-
1953	-0-	5000	-0-
1954	-0-	2748	3344
1955	-0-	-0-	7000
1956	-0-	-0-	3999
Total	8400	12348	14343

Leica If

year	Black Dial	Red Dial
1952	1118	800
1953	-0-	5000
1954	-0-	2000
1955	-0-	4000
1956	-0-	3900
1957	-0-	82
1958	-0-	4
Total	1118	15786