LEICA IIC
Leica IIc was in production between 1948 and 1951360.
Technical Specifications
Leica IIc was seen as less expensive model added to the already developed IIIc. It had a built-in rangefinder and shutter speeds from 1/30 of a second to 1/500 of a second, including "bulb"23. The camera did not have slow shutter speeds below 1/30 and could be converted to IIIc, IIIf (black dial) or IIf (black dial) by the Ernst Leitz, New York service department358. Some selected Leica IIc cameras had "sharkskin" covering, not all360.
Adam Wagner and his design team took on the task of equipping the pre-war Leica Ic, IIc, and IIIc cameras with flash synchronization and further developing them in 1947364.
Price
Price of Leica IIc with coated 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens was 210.00 USD23.
Price of Leica IIc with coated 50mm f2/ Summitar lens was 297.50 USD23.
The cost of conversion from Leica IIc to IIIc was 76 USD in 195323.
Collector's Corner
Many Leica fanciers and collectors have noticed that in a certain serial number range, the body covering of postwar me cameras have a definite, uniquely different feel from that of all the other vulcanite body coverings that Leitz had used up to the point. This material has a grain which appears to be vertically oriented and somewhat rough to the touch. Its likeness to a certain type of leather has let come to be known as "sharkskin"171. It appears that some selected Leica IIc cameras made shortly after the war between 1948 and 1951 often had this covering affixed259.
Closing Remarks
In 1948, there were 9999 Leica IIc cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 440001 through 449999364. 1951 was the last year of deliveries with 1000 Leica IIc cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 450001 through 451000364.
The camera was discontinued at the introduction of the Leica IIf360.