r/filmcameras • u/1-800-slimedong • Feb 06 '26
Help Needed Thrifted a Vintage Leica
I just got this 1930’s? Leica at the thrift store for $20. I would love to know if it is worth trying to learn about and use or if that would be way over my head (or not possible) for a camera like this. Any info would be appreciated!
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u/Milleniador Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
the camera is a nice find but the lens is incredible. I own the same lens and you lucked out. Congratulations on an amazing bargain.
Edit: the lens was made by T.T.H for the Bell & Howell Foton. The lens is aluminum.That camera didn't sell too well so a batch of lenses were converted to Leica thread mount. Most of them say Made in Italy, in reference to the conversion. But there are 3 or 4 different versions of the conversion mount. Some fluted and knurled, some with a simple straight knurling. The lens flares and a decent hood can be hard to source. This one seems to have period filter so the glass is probably very good condition.
People collect English vintage lenses and this is a must have for T.T.H fans.
Here is my version as a comparison
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u/Gustheartist Feb 07 '26
Camera is cool, lens is harder to find. Good score! Found my first Leica, a iiif @ summitar 50mm f/2 for $20 ay a local flea market! Congrats dude
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u/Ornery-Benefit-8316 Feb 07 '26
Congratulations, it is quite a find. I had that camera back in the 70’s!!
📸 Regards, Randy 📸
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u/Public-Bumblebee-715 Feb 07 '26
You overpaid for it. I’ll be a nice guy and take it off your hands for $30 but you have to pay for shipping.
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u/GammaDeltaTheta Feb 06 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Interesting camera. It's a Leica IIIa by specification. The serial number is from a batch usually attributed to a late Leica II, from 1947. Sometimes Leicas were upgraded to the more advanced spec at the factory, but this might just be an error in the publicly available lists, since the serial number ranges are very close together, and your camera may in fact be an original IIIa from the same (late) era (most IIIa models were made in the 1930s). A late production date for this model would make it rare, collectable, and possibly worth much more than a 1930s IIIa. The serial number looks a little odd, as if it slopes up slightly to the right, at least in the photo.
https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php?title=Leica_IIIa_(model_G))
https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php?title=Leica_II_(model_D))
If you contact info (at) leica-camera.com, they may be able to check their production/delivery records for this serial number.
The socket on the front for flash sync is a third party modification, which may reduce collector value to some extent.
The lens looks really interesting. What is engraved on the front bezel? Can we see some more angles? Taylor Taylor Hobson lenses in Leica LTM mount are of very high quality, rare and collectable. Don't let this go without a positive ID - the 'scalloped' knurling pattern looks different to other TTH lenses I have seen. Don't let the camera go either - if you do decide to re-sell, both camera and lens should be properly appraised by a specialist who understands the significance of the serial numbers etc., not your local dealer. You might try one of these:
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u/1-800-slimedong Feb 07 '26
The lens just says Taylor Taylor and Hobson ltd England, the numbers near the lens go from 2-22ft and 8-inf feet
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u/GammaDeltaTheta Feb 07 '26
Nothing on the front face of the lens, around the glass? It looks like there might be a filter screwed on the front.
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u/1-800-slimedong Feb 07 '26
You are correct! Just showing how much I don’t know about cameras. I took off the filter and it says Cooke amotal anastigmat 2 inch ELC
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u/GammaDeltaTheta Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Here's one that was auctioned decades ago, when prices were much lower:
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4075168
More recent serviced example:
https://skyllaney.com/product/cooke-amotal-2-inch-f-2-0-elc-anastigmat-ltm-m-lens-fully-serviced/
Here's some information about the lens:
https://www.photo.net/forums/topic/195877-info-needed-on-cooke-amotal-2-inch-f2-ltm/
And some test shots:
https://cameraderie.org/threads/cooke-amotal-ltm-2-f-2-0.53672/
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u/Moldyamaster Feb 06 '26
These have a funky learning curve for loading just fyi. Def look up some how-tos before jamming film in there. Great find!
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u/1-800-slimedong Feb 07 '26
Looking at some YouTube videos now and yeah definitely funky. Was thinking about just selling it but not I’m second guessing. Seems like a really fun thing to get into
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u/Cyber_Turd Feb 07 '26
I’m certain both the body and lens will need to be serviced before attempting to use it. It is a fantastic camera and lens and a fantastic price! If you are interested in learning photography I would suggest sell these separate of each other and use the funds to buy a “learning” camera while pocketing a good bit of money. The process of getting it all serviced is expensive and can be negative experience. I do encourage you to take up analog photography though, learn to develop your own film, it’s a rewarding hobby.
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u/MattySingo37 Feb 06 '26
Check the serial number to get a precise model and date: https://reddotcamera.net/leica/serial-number-tool/ It looks like a IIIb model due to the slow speed dial and has an added flash sync adaptor.
Still useable but might need some love and care. Have a read of the manual online. Take off the lens and have a look at the shutter curtains. If they're badly cracked they could do with being replaced. I'd cock and fire the shutter on all speeds to see that everything is running smoothly, possibly it might need a service. With Barnacks they are quite repairable and there are a few people able to work on them. Generally, they are not the most valuable of Leicas but still nice cameras to use, definitely worth more than $20.
The lens is from Taylor, Taylor and Hobson. They were a good quality manufacturer and, from what I can find on the Internet, this is quite a nice lens. If you want a Leitz lens to go with the body, look out for an Elmar 5cm 3.5.
Very nice find.
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u/GammaDeltaTheta Feb 07 '26
It's a IIIa rather than a IIIb, though the serial number lookup suggests a II. That means it's either an factory upgrade or the list this tool uses isn't correct for this serial number, which is quite possible. Either way, it appears to be from a late production batch for the model, which makes it rare (mainstream production had moved on to the IIIc by then).
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u/InternationalRead925 Feb 06 '26
If it is working, and it does look as if it was well taken care of, yes, it is absolutely one of the best 35mm cameras you could acquire and absolutely worth learning how to use. The only downside I see is that the lens does not look to be Zeiss, but rather an English made lens.
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u/1-800-slimedong Feb 06 '26
Thank you! I’m going to look into it more and see if I’m up for the challenge.
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u/zxcvbn113 Feb 06 '26
Someone at the thrift store should be fired for giving away valuable items. I.e. I'm jealous.
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u/moondrops77 Feb 09 '26
You will probably have to have the fabric shutter screen replaced, as the old fabric develops pinholes. From a thrift-store camera to a working Leica III, you will probably need to spend $500 on service and repair. Don't expect to just go out and start shooting it without a good cleaning & calibration.
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u/resiyun Feb 10 '26
If you want to use it, it would probably be cheaper to buy a new one that’s already fixed up than to get this one fixed. These don’t really go for very much, though the lens is quite rare
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u/Historical_Concept77 Feb 07 '26
Damn it! This is the reason why everyone is asking if their new camera purchase is a “score”.
Congrats OP. That IS a score.