Leica Drp Serial Numbers
- SN Start SN End Product Year built Annotation 100: 130: Leica I: 1923: camera 131: 1000: Leica I: 1925: camera 1001: 2445: Leica I: 1926: camera 2446: 5433: Leica I.
- Leica DRP Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Germany Vintage Camera Hi, you are bidding on a vintage camera that was manufactured in 1950, and is one of the 'III' models based on the serial number and specifications. Serial Number: 514346 Lens: Summitar f=5cm 1:2, No: 788122 Condition: This camera is in very good condition; all knobs and levers turn.
- Serial Numbers Leica Cameras. From Leica Wiki (English) Jump to: navigation, search. SN Start SN End Product Year built Annotation 100: 130: Leica I: 1923: camera 131.
- To complete the modification, the Leica technician screwed a thin metal plate with the necessary engraved synch numbers to the top cover of the older IIIc. The war years took its toll on Leitz. For most of the late 1940'ies, the IIIc wasn't as well finished as the late 1930's IIIb.
As serial numbers should be, they gave each lens its own serial number, and counted up. Serial numbers as low as 50,000 are still floating around. Leica made lens number 1,000,000, a 50mm f/1.5 Summarit, on 24 October 1952, at which time they already had onver 100 years of experiance.
Leica IIIf fitted with a Summarit 50mm f/1.5 and a viewfinder. This particular model does not feature a self-timer. | |
Overview | |
---|---|
Type | |
Lens | |
Lens mount | M39 lens mount |
Focusing | |
Focus | manual |
Exposure/metering | |
Exposure | manual |
Flash | |
Flash | cold shoe |
The Leica III is a rangefinder camera introduced by Leica in 1933, and produced in parallel with the Leica II series. Several models were produced over the years, with significant improvements.

The Leica III uses a coupled rangefinder distinct from the viewfinder. The viewfinder is set for a 50mm lens; use of shorter or longer lenses requires installing an alternate viewfinder on the accessory socket.[1]
Model name | Manufacturing dates | Features or improvements |
---|---|---|
Leica F (Leica III) | 1933–1939 | like II but with slow speeds on frontal dial * |
Leica 250 | 1933–1946 | Leica III or IIIa with 250-image magazines (10 metres of film) |
Leica G (Leica IIIa) | 1935–1940 | adds 1/1000 speed |
Leica IIIb | 1938–1940 | Rangefinder and view windows closer together |
Leica IIIc | 1940–1951 | die-cast body, slightly longer, redesigned shutter featuring ball bearings |
Leica IIId | 1940–1945 | Very rare, only 427 were built |
Leica IIIf | 1950–1956 | Introduced in time for Christmas 1950. Featured in-camera user selectable flash synchronization for the multitude of flash bulbs then available. Two versions produced, (1950–52) with non geometric shutter speeds and had black flash synchro numbers. Collectors refer to this model as a 'Black Dial, aka BD'. Second version (1953–56) switched to modern geometric speeds and was distinguished by red lettering on flash synchro numbers. Collectors refer to this model as a 'Red Dial, aka RD'. A self-timer was offered as a factory installed option in 1954. Many owners of the first IIIf version opted to send their cameras to Leica for self-timer retrofits. Collectors add the suffix ST (self timer) to the BD and RD nomenclature. BDST and RDST are used to identify models with self timers. |
Leica IIIg | 1957–1960 | change in body configuration to facilitate manufacture of larger and brighter viewfinder. Projected frame lines and automatic parallax correction for 50 and 90mm lenses. Rare. |
Accessories and miscellaneous images[edit]
With a 28mm wide-angle lens and optional viewfinder
With a 400mm Telyt lens
With an adapter for stereo-photography
Orange filter for the Leica III
1949 self-portrait of Stanley Kubrick with a Leica III
Othographic views of a Leica IIIf with Summicron lens
Leica IIIc with bellows
Notes and references[edit]
- Image for Leica F is actually model IIIa
- ^Unification of the rangefinder and the viewfinder occurred with the introduction of the Leica M3, allowing quick framing and focusing in a single operation. The M3 viewfinder is also able to display viewlines for 50, 90 and 135mm lenses
External links[edit]
Serial Numbers Microsoft

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leica III. |
- Leica III by Karen Nakamura
- Leica III by luis triguez
- Leica IIIc by luis triguez
- Leica IIIf RDST by luis triguez
- Leica IIIf 3D model by Artem Lynnik
Leica Serial Number List
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Leica Serial Number Guide
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