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LEICA I MODEL C

Leica I Model C was introduced at the 1930 Leipzig Spring Fair360. Code name of the body only is LENEU360.


Leica I Model C With Interchangeable Lens and Non-standardized Mount

During its initial offerings in 1930, the Leica I Model C was paired with lenses specifically calibrated to individual camera bodies. This arrangement came before the standardization of the lens mount, leading to these early versions being referred to as non-standardized Leica I Model Cs321. The original non-standardized Leica I Model C was supplied with an assortment of three lenses, a rangefinder, and both "torpedo" 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. At first, each lens had to be matched individually to a specific camera body. Initially, the complete serial number—comprising five digits—of the corresponding body was engraved on the lens321. However, starting from camera serial number 58000, 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 with interchangeable lens mounts is recorded as having serial numbers ranging from 37280 to 37285 in 1930. However, later batches produced higher serial numbers, exceeding 50,000. In total, 2,307 cameras were produced in 1930, followed by 688 cameras in 1931. Therefore, the overall total of non-standardized Leica I Model C cameras with interchangeable lens mounts amounts to 2,995360.

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). This basic viewfinder likely had a short lifespan, as it does not appear in any Leitz brochures or catalogs. Later, a 135 mm swing-over mask was offered, and this swinging viewfinder is more commonly found than the box mask. Most Leicas equipped with swinging masks have serial numbers in the 56000 range360.

It seems that no accessory viewfinder was available for use with the 35 mm wide-angle Elmar. 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 Elmar. It is reasonable to assume that the 5 cm viewfinder was used as a reference for framing. Additionally, multiple-frame viewfinders, including the earliest 'torpedo' variety, have been available since 1931360.

The introduction of the M39 screw mount in May 1930 was a pivotal development, although standardization of the flange focal distance was still pending. 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. 


Leica I Model C With Interchangeable Lens and 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 flange. With this standard distance, all lenses could be used without the need for individual adjustments. 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 adjustments. Starting from serial number 60501, all Leica I interchangeable bodies were equipped with a standardized lens flange. These cameras had an "O" engraved on the flange, and the lenses also featured an "O" near the focusing stud360. The letter "O" was visible when the lens is removed from the camera. This mark indicates that the distance from the flange face to the emulsion surface is standardized, allowing for the use of any interchangeable lens358.

It is important to understand the difference between standardization and coupling. "Standardization" means that the lens focus aligns with the film plane of focus; therefore, when infinity is marked on the lens scale, it corresponds to infinity in the film plane. On the other hand, "coupling" refers to the connection between the lens and the rangefinder. All standardized lenses can be rangefinder-coupled360.

The Leica I Model C with interchangeable lenses and a standardized mount was produced for three consecutive years in the following quantities: 5,035 cameras in 1931, 2,012 cameras in 1932, and 184 cameras in 1933. In total, 2,995 Leica I Model C cameras with interchangeable lenses and a non-standardized mount were made. Additionally, 7,231 Leica I Model C cameras with interchangeable lenses and a standardized mount were produced. Thus, the total number of Leica I Model C cameras with interchangeable lenses is 10226360.


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 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:

  1. One could convert from “Leica I with interchangeable mount (Leica I Model C)” to “Leica II Model D”313
  2. One could convert from “Leica I with interchangeable mount (Leica I Model C)” to “Leica II Model D syn”313
  3. One could convert from “Leica I with interchangeable mount (Leica I Model C)” to “Leica III Model F”313
  4. One could convert from “Leica I with interchangeable mount (Leica I Model C)” to “Leica IIIa Model G”313
  5. One could convert from “Leica I with interchangeable mount (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 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


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 Standard Model E had a pull-up rewind14.


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. 


Gifts and Special Editions

The Leica I Model C, bearing the serial number 50000, was presented to Dr. Wilhelm Filchner in 1931258.