| Do you have a Leitz/Leica IIIc? Repair needed? Or maybe a CLA? |
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First Leica body to have modern diecast body construction, solving the problem of flexing with heavy lens loads. Circa 1940 through 1951. The IIIC was also Leica's first model introduced as a change of construction, rather than a model with new features.
The body is diecast, and the top plate and rangefinder cover are one piece. The camera is 1/8""longer than previous models.
Production onset in 1940 serial number 360175. During WWII batches of cameras were allocated for branches of the German military. Most common are cameras marked "Luftwaffen -Eigentum" (property of airforce). Others were marked "Heer" (Army) or "WH" (Wehrmacht Heer). Due to material shortages, as well as military concerns, cameras were finished in grey enamel. Some have a red shutter curtain.
Some cameras have a "K" after the serial number and/or a "K" stamped on one shutter curtain, referring to a special ball bearing shutter designed for cold weather applications. Some of these have military markings.
In 1946 the serial numbers skipped from 397608 up to 400001. The top plate was redesigned without the small step under the A-R lever. Early postwar cameras are subject to poor chrome quality some extremely poor. Many otherwise nice examples have the chrome peeling off. Some postwar cameras were fitted with a rougher vulcanite body covering, referred to commonly as "Sharkskin".
In 1948 Leitz introduced a budget version of the IIIC without slow speeds. It was the IIC. It could be later modified by the factory to become a IIIC. These conversions can be spotted by serial number, and by the accessory shoe, which has only two screws, as opposed to the IIIC's four. This model wasn't terribly popular, only 10,999 were sold in four years of production.
A further stripped down version of the IIIC was brought out in 1949. The IC lacked both rangefinder and viewfinder, as well as slow speeds. There are two accessory shoes on the top of the camera. This camera was designed mainly for technical uses, although photographers use it with a wide angle lens and accessory finder. Production total: 12,013 units, ending in 1952.
IIIc production figures
1940 5070
1941 13,024
1942 6665
1943 1508
1944 693
1945 6788
1946 5000
1947 15,000
1948 20,001
1949/50 59,875
1951 1000
Total Production 133,626
| Batteries/Power Source |
NONE, all mechanical |
| Camera Format Type |
24mm X 36mm |
| Color Scheme(s) |
Black and Chrome |
| Built In Flash |
No |
| Date/Event of introduction |
1940 |
| Date of Final Production or Date of Withdrawal |
1951 |
New in box with warranty papers as it came from the dealer Indistinguishable from new but no box or no papers or both Very close to new condition with only subtle signs of use or handling. Extremely nice condition but does show some handling and use but no hard use whatsoever. Excellent condition but shows some wear and use. Perfectly Excellent operating condition but cosmetics leave something to be desired. Usable but has mechanical, optical and cosmetic issues as indicated in individual descriptions Issues as indicated in individual descriptions Very significant conditions as indicated in individual descriptions. The lower end of this range is basically a paperweight that looks something like it might once have taken some pictures.
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