Leica

TW25

TW25

Suspended / Banned
Messages
334
Edit My Images
Yes
A friend has just bought a Leica camera, and was wondering if any one on TP could identify it, I have not seen the camera, but, it is 35mm, has a lizard skin cover, whth an Eagle and a swastika on the body, Can anyone help? :shrug:
 
There are so many variations of these old Leica camers. There were several made for the Nazis in the style you mention, but unless your friend has paid a lot of wonga for it, it's highly likely that it's not really a Leica at all, most probably a Russian copy, although these copies are orginating from the Far East now too.

Leicas are highly prized by very sad people who collect them but wouldn't dream of putting a film through them. A genuine camera originating from the Nazi era, would I'd imagine be quite rare and very sought after by people with big fat wallets. ;)
 
LOL. Indeed! It's actually probably quite a usable camera being made from a Russian Zorki - but a Leica it aint! :D
 
Damn those Nazi's sure knew how to bling up their cameras yo.
 
That is a bit OTT...

I think I read somewhere that those zorkis don't take all the leica lenses quite right, something to do with the mount not fitting exactly and messing up the film distance, but I could have my wires crossed... Anyway, with a piece like that you'd be too busy pimping to notice!
 
so its a leica made out of a zorki ? yeah and ive got a roller made out of a rover metro !
 
TW25 said:
Thanks for the info CT, Now how do we tell if it`s genuine, maybe a serial No or somthing ?
Click to expand...

A pic of the camera would help a lot. Despite all the 'Leica' markings on the Zorki copy, the camera actually bears little resemblance to the actual Leica it purports to be.

Certainly, if it's the gold and lizard skin version your friend has, I doubt it's genuine, or that those versions were actually produced at the time.

It's possible I suppose, that it could be the genuine article, Allied troops came home after the war with all sorts of Nazi souvenir trophies, but on balance of probabilities and knowing how many copy versions there are about, I wouldn't bet on it.
 
Thanks to everyone for their comments, The camera has now been identified as a genuine Leica from the 1940`s by a london auction house, I will have it in my possesion in a couple of weeks time, I will run a film through it to see how it performs, and take some snaps of it before it is returned to it`s owner, :D
 
Well that's fantastic - look forward to seeing the pics. :thumbs:
 
We all use to polish are cameras in the 70s.... didn't we?.... No it wasn't just me was it :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top