Grandpa died last year and left me with some of his cameras. A Leica DRP Serial # 643030 was on one of them. I've been using Nikon's forever and know them fairly well, but the value of this camera, is beyond me. Anyone have any expertise?

-- Rc Sanders (freedom1210@hotmail.com), January 03, 2002

Answers

It's most likely a IIIf from the early 1950's, a so-called "Red Dial" (the engraved numbers on the top-plate below and surrounding the fast- shutter-speed dial are filled in red...these are settings for the flash sync), but lacking the selftimer on later models. It's value will largely be affected by rarity and cosmetic exterior condition since the collectors have a choke-hold on the older Leica market. The IIIf-RD/no selftimer is not very rare. In mint condition it might fetch $500 more or less. Unfortunately the slightest marks quickly drive the value down. The IIIf is a great camera to use, but of course then *working condition* becomes a value issue. Unquestionably it will need at least a cleaning and lubrication if it hasn't been used in a couple years or more. IIIf shutters have a tendency to develop pinholes with age, and the rangefinder mirrors grow dim. Both are fixable even today, but not without a substantial cost.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 03, 2002.

testing

-- travis (teckyy@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.