LEICA I MODEL C

Leica I Model C was introduced at the 1930 Leipzig Spring Fair³⁶⁰. On March 22, 1930, the factory commenced manufacture of this camera⁴⁷⁴. Leica I Model C was the first Leitz camera with a Leitz interchangeable mount⁵³⁴.

Code names

LENEU - camera body, without a lens, with one magazine⁵³⁴.

LENIX - camera body, without a lens, with three magazines⁵³⁴.

LEOMU - camera body with 50mm (5cm) f/3.5 Elmar lens⁵³⁴.

LEFER - camera body with 13.5cm f/4.5 Elmar lens⁵³⁴.

LEDRI - camera body with 3.5 cm f/3.5 Elmar lens⁵³⁴.

LEVIR - camera body with 50mm (5cm) f/2.5 Hektor lens⁵³⁴.

LESOR - camera body, without a lens, with FOFER rangefinder, VISOR universal viewfinder, all in square, fitted ETGAM leather case with accommodation for 3 or 4 lenses and other accessories⁵³⁴.

Leica I Model C With Non-standardized Mount

During its initial offerings in 1930, the Leica I Model C was paired with lenses specifically calibrated/matched to individual camera bodies³²¹. This arrangement came before the standardization of the lens mount, leading to these early versions being referred to as non-standardized Leica I Model C cameras³²¹. The original non-standardized Leica I Model C was supplied with an assortment of three lenses, a rangefinder, and both "torpedo" (VISOR⁵³⁴) and WINKO viewfinders, all contained within a dedicated lens case⁷⁸.

The original non-standardized Leica I Model C had a threaded flange of 39mm diameter with a 1mm pitch³⁶⁰. This thread is known as M39 x 1 or "Leica thread"³⁶⁴. At first, each lens had to be matched individually to a specific camera body³²¹. With the introduction of the interchangeable mount, 50mm f/3.5 Elmar and 50mm f/2.5 Hektor lenses were modified to have interchangeable threads too³⁶⁴.

Initially, according to a report from April, 1930³⁶⁴, the complete serial number—comprising five digits—of the corresponding body was engraved on the lens³²¹. However, starting from camera serial number 58000³⁶⁴, only the last three digits²²⁴ of the body’s serial number were engraved on the lens³⁶⁰. Early iterations exhibited round accessory shoes, which transitioned to square designs in subsequent models¹⁰³. The first batch of non-standardized Leica I Model C cameras had serial numbers ranging from 37280 to 37285 in 1930³⁶⁰. According to Angela von Einem's research, the first non-standardized Leica I Model C camera was numbered 37280⁵⁷⁵. However, later batches were exceeding number 50000³⁶⁰. In total, 2,307 cameras were produced in 1930, followed by 688 cameras in 1931³⁶⁰. Therefore, the overall total of non-standardized Leica I Model C cameras amounted to 2,995³⁶⁰.

The introduction of the M39 screw mount in May 1930 was a pivotal development, although standardization of the flange focal distance was still pending³⁵⁷. Dr. Max Berek responded to the demand for faster lenses with the 50mm f/2.5 Hektor, catering to the limited sensitivity of films at that time, followed by the telephoto 135mm f/4.5 Elmar and the wide-angle 35mm f/3.5 Elmar lenses³⁵⁷.

The highest numbered Leica I Model C camera with interchangeable lens and non-standardized mount recorded by James L. Lager carried serial number 53585⁵⁴⁰.

Accessories

The first accessory viewfinder introduced with the Leica I Model C camera with interchangeable lens and non-standardized mount was a slip-on 13.5 cm mask, as shown in an early edition of the Leica Handbook by Fritz Vith (1933)³⁶⁰. This basic viewfinder likely had a short lifespan, as it did not appear in any Leitz brochures or catalogs³⁶⁰. Later, a 135 mm swing-over mask was offered, and this swinging viewfinder was more commonly found than the box mask³⁶⁰. Most Leicas equipped with swinging masks have serial numbers in the 56000 range³⁶⁰.

It seemed that no accessory viewfinder was available for use with the 35 mm wide-angle Elmar³⁶⁰. The small black optical 3.5 cm viewfinder (code-named WEISU) became available only in 1933, two years after the introduction of the wide-angle Elmar³⁶⁰. It is reasonable to assume that the 5 cm viewfinder was used as a reference for framing³⁶⁰. Additionally, multiple-frame viewfinders, including the earliest 'torpedo' variety, had been available since 1931³⁶⁰.

Leica I Model C With Standardized Mount

By December 1930, the issue of lens interchangeability was resolved by establishing a fixed distance of 28.8mm from the film plane to the front of the flange³⁶⁰. With this standard distance, all lenses could be used without the need for individual adjustments³⁶⁰. However, to accommodate minor production tolerances in the manufacturing of the camera bodies, both metal and paper flanges were still incorporated between the camera and the lens mount for fine adjustments³⁶⁰. It was reported on January 1, 1931³⁶⁴ that starting from serial number 60501 (or 55404³⁶⁴), all Leica I Model C bodies were equipped with a standardized lens flange³⁶⁰. According to Angela von Einem's research, the first standardized Leica I Model C camera was numbered 55404⁵⁷⁵. As a part of standardization³⁶⁴, these cameras had an "O" engraved on the flange, and the lenses also featured an "O" near the focusing stud³⁶⁰ from 1931 onwards³⁶⁴. The letter "O" was visible when the lens was removed from the camera³⁵⁸ . This mark indicated that the distance from the flange face to the emulsion surface was standardized, allowing for the use of any interchangeable lens³⁵⁸. The flange distance of 28.8mm guaranteed that all lenses, cameras and accessories would be interchangeable in the future³⁶⁴. Leitz also ensured that earlier cameras and lenses could be modified accordingly³⁶⁴.

It was important to understand the difference between standardization and coupling³⁶⁰. "Standardization" meant that the lens focus aligned with the film plane of focus; therefore, when infinity was marked on the lens scale, it corresponded to infinity in the film plane³⁶⁰. On the other hand, "coupling" referred to the connection between the lens and the rangefinder³⁶⁰. All standardized lenses could have been rangefinder-coupled³⁶⁰.

The Leica I Model C with standardized mount was produced for three consecutive years in the following quantities: 5035 cameras in 1931, 2012 cameras in 1932, and 184 cameras in 1933³⁶⁰.

Conversions

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 model³¹³. Conversions for screw mount Leica cameras remained available until the late 1950s³¹³.

It was possible to convert the Leica models below serial number 360000 (and installing full synchronization on the cameras with serial numbers above number 160000)³¹³. The following conversions were possible³¹³:

One could convert from “Leica I Model C” to “Leica II Model D”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I Model C” to “Leica II Model D syn”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I Model C” to “Leica III Model F”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I Model C” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I Model C” 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 parts³¹³. Leitz recommended converting these models to the Leica II Model D³¹³. 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

Compared to Other Models

Identification between the Leica I Model C and the Leica Standard Model E came down to serial number scrutiny and rewind buttons; the Leica I Model C featured a fixed rewind knob, whereas the Leica Standard Model E had a pull-up rewind¹⁴.

Leica I Model C with Calfskin Coverage

Some special cameras were designated as "LEANEKALB" in the Leitz catalogs and delivery records³⁷⁷. These cameras were Leica cameras in black and nickel finish³⁶⁰, with coloured calf leather covering, with one magazine⁵³⁴. According to the Hahne list, only 168⁵⁷⁵(or 180³⁷⁷) examples of calfskin-covered Leicas (which included Leica Model A and Leica I Model C cameras) (between approximately serial numbers 36333 and 59400⁵⁷⁵) were produced in the 1930s³⁷⁷. Offered for the first time in July 1930 catalog, these cameras were only 10 Reichsmark more expensive than their regular counterparts⁵⁷⁵. Customers could order the camera with a dyed calf leather covering instead of the standard black vulcanized rubber for a small extra charge¹⁸¹. This optional leather covering was available in four colours: green, blue, red, or brown¹⁸¹. However, customers did not seem to appreciate these refinements¹⁸¹. These examples are extremely rare³⁶⁰. Also any of these original calfskin coverings were later replaced by Leitz with regular vulcanite during restorations when the leather showed signs of wear³⁷⁷. As a result, the number of authentic calfskin Leicas that still existed today was quite limited³⁷⁷.

The calfskin Leica was highlighted in the 'Luxus Leica' chapter of the 1930 Leitz catalogue, where it was presented alongside the gold-plated LUXUS version³⁸³. It was characterized as a black paint camera adorned with “coloured calfskin”³⁸³. Some "LEANEKALB" cameras were covered in calfskin featuring a brown chequered pattern; however, only three examples of this particular design were known to exist⁴⁰⁴. The chapter on the available cases mentioned various individual colors, including “green, red, violet, dark- and light-brown, as well as brown chequered”⁴⁰⁴. In the Leitz shipping records, cameras with the chequered pattern were designated as “Leanekalb kariert (chequered)”⁴⁰⁴.

On genuine calfskin cameras like the Leica I Model A number 43839, the leather underneath the lens mounting ring was not cut out or modified; it extended precisely to the inner edge of the opening⁵⁷⁵. When the lens was removed using special tools, it was possible to see that the leather fit snugly into the lens mount of the camera body⁵⁷⁵. Only the lens mounting ring left an impression on model 43839⁵⁷⁵.

In refurbished cameras or counterfeits, the leather covering often only reached the outer edge of the lens mounting ring⁵⁷⁵. Additionally, on the original models, the transition from the fine leather covering to the painted parts (for example, the bottom cover) had to be perfectly flush; the leather was not thicker at any point⁵⁷⁵. Contrary to popular belief, pigskin coverage was also never offered for these cameras⁵⁷⁵.

"LEANEKALB" cameras known to the author were:

Leica I Model C number 59073 dated 1931.
Leica I Model C number 67074 dated 1931.

Deliveries

In 1930, there were 2303 Leica I Model C cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 37280 through 53839³⁶⁴. In 1931, there were 13922 Leica I Model C cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 53840 through 71194³⁶⁴. In 1932, there were 2035 Leica I Model C cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 70158 through 99301³⁶⁴. 1933 marked the last year of deliveries, with 183 Leica I Model C cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 95529 through 99755³⁶⁴.

Gifts and Special Editions

The Leica I Model C number 50000, was presented to Dr. Wilhelm Filchner in 1931²⁵⁸. The camera ultimately saved the life of its owner when Dr. Filchner was captured in Khotan, Asia³⁶⁴. He handed the camera over to the Padishah, the King of Khotan, on New Year's Day, 1937³⁶⁴. In return, Dr. Filchner received freedom and a Russian imitation of Leica³⁶⁴. In 1937, Leitz presented Dr. Filchner with Leica numbered 250000 to replace the camera he left behind³⁶⁴.

The Leica I Model C number 70690, dated 1939, was considered an experimental version of the later Wetzlar X-Ray Leica, with 24x36mm negative size⁴²⁸. Research conducted by the Wetzlar Camera Auction House indicated that only three experimental versions were produced in 1939⁴²⁸.

The Leica I Model C number 70718, dated 1939, was considered an experimental version of the later Wetzlar X-Ray Leica, with 24x36mm negative size⁴²⁸. Research conducted by the Wetzlar Camera Auction House indicated that only three experimental versions were produced in 1939⁴²⁸.

The Leica I Model C number 70725, dated 1939, was considered an experimental version of the later Wetzlar X-Ray Leica, with 24x36mm negative size. It was sold for 8500 Euros including buyer's premium at the 1st Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 5, 2019⁴²⁸. The lot description stated that this was a black and nickel Leica I Model C prototype featuring a special bottom plate with a winding crank⁴²⁸.

Closing Remarks

The progression from the non-standardized Leica I Model C to the standardized version culminated with the introduction of the Leica II Model D in early 1932³²¹. Leica I Model C camera was discontinued in 1933 with serial number 99755³⁶⁴. In total, 2995 Leica I Model C cameras with non-standardized mount were made³⁶⁰. Additionally, 7231 Leica I Model C cameras witrh standardized mount were produced³⁶⁰. Thus, the total number of Leica I Model C cameras was 10226³⁶⁰.