Leica I - Model A 5 Digits - Elmar 5cm f/3.5

Leica I - Mod. A Elmar – FODIS rangefinder - Elmar 5cm f/3.5 lens

Available for sale on CATAWIKI

Hand delivery possible in Paris

This Leica I, serial number 22582, produced in 1930, has a beautiful patina , revealing the brass beneath the black lacquer in places. It is free of dents. The shutter speeds function perfectly from 1/20 sec. to 1/500 sec. The viewfinder and lens are clear and scratch-free. The focus and aperture controls operate smoothly . There is no grease on the diaphragm blades. The Leitz Elmar 50mm fixed lens is free of dents and wear on the lens tube. The vulcanite coating is beautiful and complete.
The Leica lens cap is original.

Galileo's viewfinder is clear, the FODIS rangefinder is functional.

• Housing
  • Leica I (A) known as Elmar - Very good cosmetic and functional condition.
  • Serial number : 25682 - 5 digits - year 1930
  • Functionality : Fully operational, tested and verified.
  • Aesthetics : Very good overall condition for a nearly century-old model
  • Coating : Black Vulcanite in very good condition
  • Case: Beautiful patina revealing the brass beneath the black lacquer in places
    
  • Original black paint (no repainting)
    - Wear revealing an authentic patina
    
    
• Objective
  • Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5 - Whisker mount
  • Very good condition: Clean glass, free of dust and fungus.
  • Aperture of f/3.5 to f/18 functional.
  • Functional development .
  • Leica cap in black lacquered metal
• Rangefinder focusing
  • FODIS rangefinder in feet, clear and precise.

• Shutter:
  
  • Triggers at all speeds

Shipping: Worldwide, fully insured

The production Leica was launched in 1924 , but it wasn't officially presented to the public until 1925 at the Leipzig Spring Fair under the name Leica I (Leica being a phonetic contraction of Leitz and Kamera). This name didn't appear on the camera itself, but it was used in its advertising. It's worth noting that the first brochure, printed in January 1925 , presented the camera simply as the "Leca." The camera bore only the inscriptions Ernst Leitz Wetzlar and DRP (Deutsches Reiches Patent).

The model was identical to the Model 0 except that the accessory slide and viewfinder had been repositioned, and a small housing was now located under the shutter speed dial, containing the automatic shutter closing mechanism. The buttons and lens collar were nickel-plated.

The camera's dimensions remained unchanged; the larger cocking knob was more practical; the casing was still covered in vulcanite , a material that closely resembles leather. The casing featured a mark for adjusting the speed, an adjustment that had to be made after each cocking by lifting and rotating the speed dial (this system was retained until the introduction of the IIIg).

This is the first Leica produced in series from 1924 and one of the first Leica models with a stamped body. The Leica I (A) Elmar has a lens of the same name, 50mm f/3.5, non-interchangeable and adorned with the famous angled lens bar.
It comes with a FODIS rangefinder in nickel-plated feet.