1951 LEICA IIIf+SUMMITAR+RED LEITZ BOX+CASE+LIT, MINT-

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Great looker! 1951 LEICA IIIf � #595153, MINT-IN ORIGINAL NUMBERED RED BOX The red box is stamped with the correct code (LOOKX) for the IIIf/Summitar combo, the body/lens numbers written on the box base are faint but do appear to be correct. Screwmount SUMMITAR 5cm f2 + CAP, #738629, MINT- No haze, no cleaning marks, working well Also comes with: • A excellent Leitz case, less common long-nose type • A 1957 Leica III7 Instruction Book in English, a Flash book in German NOT FILM TESTED, BUT APPEARS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER • This camera belonged to a couple who were longtime Leica enthusiasts, and always looked after their equipment well • This body and lens combo looks to have been pretty lightly used. • The wind-on is ultra-smooth, the rangefinder is bright and contrasty, the diopter is working, the viewfinder is clear, no haze. • All the speeds sound accurate, including the slows, and the 1/15 has that beautiful precision sound of this model of Leica. One blind shows a little wear, the other one looks to be in perfect condition.� The only thing I have not checked is the Flash synch. • Judging from the operational condition of the camera, and knowing the owners, I would say it has been serviced within the last 5 - 10 years. COSMETICS MINT- • Top plate and sides, a few tiny bright lines and marks really only visible if you hold the camera against the light, and a light rub mark over the "DRP" engraving. There's very little strap lug wear, a few light lines on the wind-on and rewind knobs, a few extremely minor bright marks on the baseplate, and that’s it for the whole camera! • All screws are perfect and clean. I see no evidence of amateur maintenance • The vulcanite is perfect, original and firmly attached, and there’s almost zero wear on the accessory plate. SUMMITAR 5cm f2 Glass is very clean, no haze, no cleaning marks, a very small amount of dust, a few bubbles. A tiny trace of oil on the diaphragm, which is free and easy. The focus is smooth but very slightly stiff. Cosmetics are about Mint-, a little light haze on the barrel, and that's about it. • The Lens Cap is a slightly loose fit on the lens, but it's� very clean, minor marks only � • The Long-Nose Case has seen some repairs but is in generally nice condition, just a little wear in the hinge area. The Red Leitz Box is one of the better ones I've seen. One corner of the lid is loose and has been repaired. Clean inside, just a few light marks on the top. Ex+. COLLECTOR NOTES—LEICA IIIf Black Dial Leitz code LOOKX Hove R2 (“Slightly Unusual”)� Investment Grade: B (See Key below.) • Last of the classic-look screwmount Leicas , made when Leitz were at the top of their game (and popularity) worldwide. The Black Dial has the old shutter speeds—30, 40, 60, etc • It's quite uncommon to get the original red box - it's maybe offered with about 1 in 500 IIIfs offered for sale. • IIIfs were mostly German-made, a total of 71,000 Black Dials being produced from 1950 - 52. Obviously, even 25 years after it's introduction, the classic screwmounts continued to have their fans! • These production numbers, of course, are miniscule compared to the multi-millions of Nikons, Olympuses, Canons and the other Japanese cameras. • The IIIf is fairly available today, but many of these cameras, while they look like Leicas, don’t work like Leicas. They’ve lost the butter-smooth film advance, the bright RF images, and the crisp bounce of the shutter. The slow speeds are often not working properly. • IIIf bodies in outstanding condition are much less common than you might imagine , and (in theory, at least!) are valued at 150% - 250% over the Hove Guide listed price of $500. The Summitar f2 lists at about $250, Hove � R2, and the original packaging pushes it up from a "C" to a "B" investment grade. THE DETAILS I will ship� worldwide. All shipping costs include mandatory insurance to the limits allowed by the shipper. Seller is not responsible for any loss or damage if over those limit... read more

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