Leica C
The Leica I (C) was made by Leitz in 1930 after the initial Leica I (A), to which it added lens interchangeability. The early cameras had a varying film to flange distance, and needed the lenses to be individually matched to the body. The lenses were engraved on the focus collar with a serial number related to that body. The later cameras (from 1931) had a "standardized" lens mount, allowing the attachment of any lens on any camera body. They have an O engraved on the flange. This 39mm screw mount was subsequently used on many other camera models. The interchangeable lenses first available were 35mm, 50mm and 135mm. Later (1931-32) came a 9cm f/4 Elmar, a 10.5cm f/6.3 Elmar and an ultra-fast 7.3cm f/1.9 Hektor. Some of these were made in "standardized" mount.[1]
The Leica C was replaced by the Leica Standard (or Leica E) and production ended in 1933. All were black enamel finish with nickel fittings, total production just over 10,000 units.[2] The Leica I(C) could be upgraded by the factory to Leica II specifications.
1931 Leica C and early 50mm Elmar with smaller Ø distance scale. image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
with accessory rangefinder image by mikeasaurus (Image rights) |
Notes
Links:
- Leica Ic on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand