LEICA I MODEL A

The naming conventions for early Leica camera models differed between Europe and the USA, with the model referred to as "I" in Europe and "A" in the USA³¹³. Leica I Model A was designed in 1924 and was shown in 1925 at the Leipzig Spring Fair³⁶⁰.

Technical Specifications

Notably, the Leica I Model A featured non-removable lenses⁵⁹.

There were 4 types of lenses used with Leica I Model A:

50mm f/3.5 Anastigmat lens was used on the initial production units Leica I Model A cameras with serial numbers ranging from 126 to approximately 300³⁶⁰. These models came equipped with a frame counter that indicated exposures from 0 to 40, a mushroom-shaped shutter release button, and a shutter offering six speed settings plus a "Z" position⁷³. The shutter speed dial was marked with engravings for: Z, 25, 40, 60, 100, 200, and 500⁷³.
50mm f/3.5 Elmax was used on Leica I Model A cameras with serial numbers ranging from approximately 300 to approximately 1300³⁶⁰. Some small batches of 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lenses may have been fitted to cameras within the 50mm f/3.5 Elmax batch numbers³⁶⁰. Leitz was always keen to introduce new refinements, which may explain why, for some time, the Elmax and Elmar batches were concurrent³⁶⁰. Notably, the Leica I Model A with an Elmax lens marked the first instance of a Leica camera featuring a shutter speed of 1/25th of a second¹⁰⁰.
50mm f/3.5 Elmar was used on Leica I Model A cameras with serial numbers ranging from approximately 1300 to approximately 71249³⁶⁰. These cameras were code-named LEABE³⁶⁰. Throughout its use in the Leica I Model A, the Elmar lens saw no changes in design³⁶⁰. However, some Leica I Model A cameras made for export were designed to focus at a distance of 1.5 feet, rather than the standard 3 feet or 1 meter³⁶⁰.
50mm f/2.5 Hektor was used on Leica I Model A cameras around the same time with 50mm f/3.5 Elmar, however in much smaller quantities (approximately 1330 in total), occasionally or to special order³⁶⁰. The lens can be found on cameras made in small batches from serial numbers ranging from 38622 to 71230³⁶⁰.

Historians have found it challenging to delineate the precise timeline of transitions between the Anastigmat, Elmax, and Elmar lenses¹¹⁵. Some researchers hypothesize that the switch from Anastigmat to Elmax transpired between cameras with serial numbers 245 and 305¹¹⁵. The transition from Elmax to Elmar is estimated to have occurred between serial numbers 1247 and 1330¹¹⁵.

From 1925 to 1930, the Leica I Model A saw subtle modifications in its control elements¹⁰². Among these was a change in the shutter release button design¹⁰². The first batch of Leica I Model A cameras, with serial numbers ranging from 126 to 626, had mushroom release with no shallow indentation underneath the release³⁶⁰. Models from 626 (or 4001³⁶⁰) up to approximately serial number 17000 were originally outfitted with the mushroom-type release button (with indentation underneath, so that the cable release doesn't slip over³⁶⁰), while subsequent units employed the screw-type button¹⁰². However, many earlier models were retrofitted to the screw design during servicing by Leitz as part of their upgrade protocol¹⁰².

Other minor refinements included variances in the knurling patterns on the winding and rewinding knobs, the rim surrounding the front lens mount, and the edge of the speed dial¹⁰². Cameras from early batches, with serial numbers from 126 to approximately 400, had black advance/rewind lever knob, whereas later models had nickel knobs³⁶⁰.

Initially, the film advance knob was 8mm high, but from cameras with a serial number of approximately 3500 onwards, the height was increased to 10mm for easier manipulation³⁶⁰. There was no corresponding change in the height of the rewind knob³⁶⁰. The original, low-profile film advance knob and the rewind knob typically have a nickel finish, although a few very early cameras were produced with an alloy³⁶⁰. Additionally, there are variations in engravings, the design of arrows (either single or double-feathered), and the knurling³⁶⁰.

Cameras from early batches, with serial numbers from 126 to approximately 600, had flat and smooth viewfinder³⁶⁰, whereas cameras from later batches featured multiple ring (ridged) design¹⁰². Additionally, the earlier finder's front lacks a mask behind the lens, a design element introduced in later models¹⁰². Some Leica I Model A cameras made for export have "Germany" engraved on the side of the viewfinder and inside the accessory shoe³⁶⁰. The front markings of the Elmar lens and the focusing scale were also markedly smaller on earlier iterations compared to later ones¹⁰².

Cameras with serial numbers from 126 to approximately 37000 had 4 screws securing the top plate to the body shell, where as later ones had 6³⁶⁰.

The baseplates of the Leica I Model A cameras exhibit several distinct variations³⁶⁰. In the early models, the baseplate features an inside locating pin that opens the cassette³⁶⁰. In contrast, later versions use a folded piece of metal for the same purpose³⁶⁰. There are two variants of the locking catch: the first includes a small bar across its center, while the second is similar to the first but does not have the bar³⁶⁰. The early baseplates do not have a stiffening bar, whereas later ones may have one or even two bars for added support³⁶⁰. Toward the end of the Leica I Model A production, some baseplates feature engraved loading instructions in either German (AUF, ZU) or English (OPEN, CLOSE)³⁶⁰. Additionally, arrows may be engraved to indicate the required rotary movement for operation³⁶⁰.

The first five hundred Leica I Model A cameras, with serial numbers from 126 to 626, feature a six-speed shutter dial with settings of 1/25, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500, along with a 'Z' setting³⁶⁰. Starting from camera with serial number 626, the model includes a seven-speed shutter dial, which has settings of 1/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500, in addition to the 'Z' setting³⁶⁰. There are also slight differences in the knurling designs between the two types of dials³⁶⁰.

Cameras from early batches, with serial numbers from 126 to approximately 400, had film exposure counter markings up to 40 frames, whereas later models had 0 instead of 40, as well slightly larger dials³⁶⁰.

Whenever new features were introduced in existing models or when new models were released, Leitz provided the option to update existing cameras or convert them to the latest model. Conversions for screwmount Leicas remained available until the late 1950s³¹³.

It was possible to convert the Leica models with serial number 360000 (and installing full synchronization from the camera with serial number 160000). The following conversions were possible³¹³:

One could convert from “Leica I without interchangeable mount (Leica I Model A)” to “Leica II Model D”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I without interchangeable mount (Leica I Model A)” to “Leica II Model D syn”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I without interchangeable mount (Leica I Model A)” to “Leica III Model F”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I without interchangeable mount (Leica I Model A)” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I without interchangeable mount (Leica I Model A)” to “Leica IIIa Model G syn”³¹³

Repairs for the old Leica I Model A and Leica I Model C were no longer covered under warranty due to the lack of available spare parts. Leitz recommended converting these models to the Leica II Model D. Conversions to the Leica Standard Model E were only performed in special circumstances³¹³
Cameras with serial numbers below 360000 couldn’t be converted into the Leica IIIc and Leica IIIf cameras for technical reasons³¹³
Cameras with serial numbers below 160000 required separate price quotation for the addition of the synchronization³¹³

Collector's Corner

The model, whether equipped with an Anastigmat or an Elmax lens, is highly sought after by collectors⁷⁸.

Closing Remarks

By the end of 1925, nearly one thousand Leica I Model A cameras had been sold³⁶⁰. The first commercially available model began with serial number 126, and by the end of that year, sales had reached the camera with serial number 857³⁶⁰. The Leica I Model A was phased out following the introduction of the Leica Standard Model E in October of 1932¹⁴.

Gifts and Special Editions

Leica I Model A with serial number 280 was presented to Count Zeppelin or Zeppelin Family²⁵⁸. This camera was owned by Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck in 1980s³⁶⁰.

Leica I Model A camera with serial number 1000 was awarded to Dr. W. Schulz, a dermatologist at the nearby University of Giessen, in 1925. This indicates very early use of the Leica in scientific photography²⁵⁸.

Leica I Model A camera with serial number 10000 was awarded in 1928 to Dr. Hugo Eckener, promoter of German airships⁴⁸. Some believe it was awarded in 1929²⁵⁸.

Leica I Model A camera with serial number 25000 was awarded in 1929 to Dr. Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer of Asia⁴⁸.

Leica I Model A camera with serial number 50000 was awarded in 1931 to Dr. Wilhelm Filchner, German explorer of Asia⁴⁸.