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 Leica IIIc23. 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 Leica IIIc, Leica IIIf (black dial) or Leica IIf (black dial) by the Ernst Leitz, New York service department358.
Adam Wagner and his design team took on the task of equipping the pre-war Leica Ic, Leica IIc, and Leica IIIc cameras with flash synchronization and further developing them in 1947364.
Codename and Prices
Leica IIc, body only, was code-named LOOSE534.
Leica IIc with 5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens was code-named LOOEL534. Leica IIc with coated 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens was initially priced at 210.00 USD23.
Leica IIc with 5cm f/2 Summitar lens was code-named LOOSU534. Leica IIc with coated 50mm f2/ Summitar lens was initially priced at 297.50 USD23.
The cost of conversion from Leica IIc to Leica IIIc was 76 USD in 195323.
Sharkskin
Many Leica fanciers and collectors noticed that in a certain serial number range, the body covering of postwar cameras had a definite, uniquely different feel from that of all the other vulcanite body coverings that Leitz had used up to the point171. This material had a grain which appeared to be vertically oriented and somewhat rough to the touch171. Its likeness to a certain type of leather had made it to be known as “sharkskin“171. Some selected Leica IIc cameras had “sharkskin“ covering, not all360.
Gifts and Special Cameras
Leica IIc (later converted to Leica IIIf) number 443501, engraved with "100 Jahre Leitz Werke 1849-1949" with oak leaves, was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Museum Leica" book in 2018596. Another camera with the same engraving, the post-war Leica Standard Model E with serial number 355556 was engraved "100 Jahre Leitz Werke 1849-1949" with oak leaves and chrome FOKOS similarly engraved534. This camera was auctioned off at the 32nd WestLicht Photographica Auction and was described as "Post-war Leica Standard engraved by Leitz '100 Jahre Leitz Werke 1948-1949' with rangefinder engraved '100 Jahre Leitz Werke 1948-1949', Elmar 3.5/5cm no.689702 - For the 100 Anniversary of Leitz company in 1949 a few Leitz products were especially engraved for this event. There was no collectors’ market at all at the time, so the reason for those special engravings was a raffle for the Leitz employees. As first prizes, there were three Leica cameras (Leica Standard model E, IIc and IIIc) plus six binoculars (two each of the 6x24, 6x30 and 8x30 models), as well as a very small number of Leitz Prado 150 slide projectors - we think the offered camera was meant to stay within the company, it is published in VIDOM No.94 page 42 within an article “100 Jahre Leitz Werke 1949-1949” by Lars Netopil - ex Jim Jannard collection"391.
Deliveries
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.
Closing Remarks
The camera was discontinued with the introduction of the Leica IIf360.