My father in law gave me a Leica camera that he bought in the early 50's, used for 4 years while in college, then put it away and didn't touch it until he gave it to me. I do not want to sell it, but my father in law and I are curious as to the estimated value. We are also looking for a copy of the instruction manual which was misplaced many years ago. The camera is marked "Leica D.R.P. Nr. 595040 the lens is marked Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, Summarit f-5cm 1:1.5 Nr950250 (1.1.5 -16)I would appreciate any info

-- Christopher Querin (cgquerin@hotmail.com), January 08, 2002

Answers

Hi, The camera itself I believe is a IIIf, from 1951/52. Someone else here could tell if it was a "red dial" IIIf, I would assume not. I bought a really nice one that had been recently overhauled awhile back (last year) for around 325.00. Condition plays an important role in determining value. The summarit is likely to need a cleaning, and the coatings on those lenses tended to pick up cleaning marks. Im not sure on the value of the lens. Hope you enjoy it, if its in need of a tune up, by all means have it done! They're beautiful to look at, but a fun camera to use once in awhile too. Best,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), January 08, 2002.

Here's a source< /a> for a manual online and Steve Gandy's site can provide some info on your screwmount kit.

I was bequethed a similar setup from an uncle and it needed the whole ball of wax, but a good CLA and a cleaning of the lens made it as good as new (more or less). It came in the original paper wrapped red velvet box with the reciept and all the hang tags.

Hard to say what it's worth, but generally these items go for between 400 to 600 dollars from what I've seen on the open market.

-- Dave Doyle (soilsouth@home.com), January 08, 2002.

whoops... Here for the manual and here for Steve's site

-- Dave Doyle (soilsouth@home.com), January 08, 2002.

Chris: Incidentally, the D.R.P. is the german equivalent of "patent pending", and not a model designation. Run some film through it and you will be amazed at how far photo quality has progressed (NOT!) in 50 years. Still an effective and fun tool.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), January 08, 2002.

Per Laney the Black dial IIIf runs from 525001 through 611000 (Hove: $450). The Red dial runs from 615001 through 825000 (Lager says through 837720) (Hove: $500). The difference being the Black dial has shutter speeds 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, etc. The Red dial has 1/25, 1/50, 1/75, etc. There was actually a second version of the Red dial at 685001 with a self-timer (Hove: $750). The IIIg brought in standard shutter speeds of 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, etc (Hove: $1,400). Too much information?

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), January 09, 2002.