LEICA IIIA MODEL G

The naming convention for early Leica camera models was different in Europe than in the USA. Referred to as "IIIa" in Europe and "G" in the USA³¹³.

A report from January 17, 1933 indicates that the IIIa Model G with 1 second escapement mechanism was on Wilhelm Albert and Oskar Barnack's drawing board in 1933³⁶⁴. Similarly, a different source from October 30, 1934 mentioned that Wilhelm Albert and Oskar Barnack developed the Leica IIIa with 1/1000 shutter speed³⁶⁴.

The IIIa Model G was manufactured from February³⁶⁴ of 1935 until 1950³⁶⁰, with the most of the cameras manufactured between February³⁶⁴ of 1935 and 1939³⁶⁰. The first batch of these cameras, numbered from 156201 to 156850, were produced in 1935, while the last batch, numbered from 356701 to 357186, were made in 1950³⁶⁰. It is known that 607 units were produced by Leitz between 1946 and 1948³³².

Also, in 1935, Leica I, II, III and IIIa were manufactured side-by-side³⁶⁴.

The 200000th Leica was a Leica IIIa Model G camera, which was manufactured in 1936³⁶⁴.

Finishes

Of 92687 Leica IIIa Model G cameras produced, only 800 were finished in black³⁶⁰. These cameras were primarily reserved for the export market³⁶⁰.

Technical Specifications

The Leica IIIa Model G was the last true Barnack camera built under his supervision³³². The top speed of 1/1000 second was introduced for the first time with this model³⁵⁸. The slow shutter speeds ranged from 1/20th of a second down to 1 second, plus a 'T' option on the front dial. The viewfinder provided an image slightly larger than half-life size and was centered closely to the lens, minimizing parallax error even at one meter distance. The centrally located viewfinder eyepiece is particularly helpful when handholding the camera tightly against the face at very slow shutter speeds in low light conditions³³².

The rangefinder focusing lever was now positioned on the eyepiece, unlike later models where it was located below the rewind knob³⁵⁸. Winding the film can be done quickly with a simple twist of the knob. The slow speed dial adjusts from 1/20 of a second to 1/8 of a second, and then down to a full second and T. The shutter release button activates the shutter with just over 1/16 of an inch of downward pressure. Additionally, the surrounding ring is removable, allowing for the attachment of a cable release³³².

With the baseplate removed, two shutter tension adjusting star nuts are visible on the left, while the bright metal shutter brake cam is positioned with the shutter wound and ready to trip. On the right side, the take-up spool is visible. This is the view a photographer experiences while reloading film—holding the camera upside down, suspended by its neck strap, with the lens resting against their chest. The slot in the cam indicates that the camera was previously modified to accommodate a Leitz flash synchronizing baseplate, model BUNOO (1939), or the NY flash synchronizing baseplate, model BLISE, which became available after 1941³³².

The rangefinder window is located on the left side of the camera and features a rotating diopter correction eyepiece. The viewfinder window is positioned near the center of the camera, alongside the accessory shoe. This design is beneficial for handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds, as it allows the hands holding both ends of the camera to be firmly pressed against the head for stability³³².

Leica IIIa Model G, produced in 1937 or later, features a fully rounded right side of the frame around the viewfinder³³².

As of February 1937, base plates for Leica IIIa Model G cameras were equipped with a locking lever³⁶⁴.

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 IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica I with interchangeable mount (Leica I Model C)” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica II Model D” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica III Model F” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica IIIa Model G” to “Leica IIIa Model G syn”³¹³

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

An example of earlier cameras still in use in 1950 is David Douglas Duncan's Leica IIIa Model G. This is likely the camera he used with Kodachrome while serving as a Marine in the Pacific. It was definitely one of the two cameras, along with a Leica IIIc, that he utilized to take photographs for LIFE magazine during the Korean War in 1950. His Leica IIIa featured a 1/1000th of a second setting on the speed dial, and the serial number 259404 identifies it as a Leica IIIa Model G from 1937³³².

It was reported on October 22, 1941 that Wilhelm Albert developed a variant of Leica IIIa Model G camera with a special "sight" marking (visier, German) inside the viewfinder³⁶⁴. This special marking will later appear inside the viewfinders of thirty special Leica IIIc cameras made for (likely military) order number 25857 in 1941³⁶⁴.

Collector's Corner

Approximately twenty-four specimens of the Leica III Model F and Leica IIIa Model G cameras were the first to feature red blinds³⁶⁰. A report from June 1937 indicated that in 1937 20 Leica IIIa Model G cameras, with serial numbers ranging from 239606 to 239626, were sent to Singapore for testing in high humidity and intense sunlight conditions³⁶⁴. The report mentioned that the cameras were equipped with shutter blinds that were dyed red on one side³⁶⁴. The results of the tests were positive³⁶⁴.

According to a report from March of 1938, Two Leica III Model F or Leica IIIa Model G cameras with unknown serial numbers were experimentally produced with rhodium-plated parts³⁶⁴.

Extremely rare Leica IIIa Model G camera, post-war, with serial number 35397X, produced in 1946. Only one unit was made in this batch²¹⁰.

Very rare post-war Leica IIIa Model G cameras were produced in 1947, identified by serial numbers ranging from 356501 to 356650. A total of 150 units were made²¹⁰.

Very rare post-war Leica IIIa Model G cameras are identified by serial numbers ranging from 356701 to 357150, produced in 1950. The total number of units produced is 450²¹⁰.

Very rare post-war Leica IIIa Model G syn cameras are identified by serial numbers ranging from 358651 to 358700, produced between 1963 and 1970. The total number of units believed to have been produced is 50²¹⁰.

A 1935 report indicates that Wilhelm Albert and Oskar Barnack created a shutter release designed for left-handed individuals to use with the Leica IIIa Model G in the same year³⁶⁴.

A report indicates that Wilhelm Albert and Oskar Barnack created a shutter release designed for left-handed individuals to use with the Leica IIIa Model G in the same year³⁶⁴.

It had been two years since the last delivery of the Leica IIIa Model G when Karl Crös developed a flash synchronization for this model in 1952, according to a report from February 20, 1952³⁶⁴.

Compared to Other Models

It featured the original internal design and was essentially a Leica III Model F from 1933, with the only modification being the addition of a 1/1000th shutter speed. Both models had a remarkable 1.5x magnified rangefinder equipped with a diopter adjustment on the eyepiece³³².

Gifts and Special Editions

Leica IIIa Model G with serial number of 175000 was presented to Leopold Mannes in 1935²⁵⁸.

Leica IIIa Model G with serial number of 200000 was presented to Dr. Paul Wolff in 1936. Camera is no longer in Dr. Wolff's archive²⁵⁸.

Camera with serial number 250000 was awarded in 1937 to Dr. Wilhelm Filchner to replace Leica I with serial number 50000, lost in Asia⁴⁸.

Military

Most military Leicas were IIIc models, though some IIIa Model G and IIIb models had military features as well⁵². In fact, IIIa Model G was the first Leica camera to be supplied to the German armed forces³⁶⁰. These cameras were typically engraved with military insignia, such as "Heer" or "Luftwaffen-Eigentum"³⁶⁰.

In 1939, 3 chrome-plated Leica IIIa Model G cameras with 5cm f/2 Summar lenses were delivered to Luftwaffe³⁶⁴.

Leica IIIa Model G camera with serial number 216554 dating year 1936 with "Fl. No. 38078" engraving had "Luftwaffen-Eigentum" ("Property of the Air Force") marking in the following style: Small, delicate letters painted on vulcanite²²⁵.

Deliveries

In 1935, there were 13650 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 156201 through 183500³⁶⁴. In 1936, there were 23660 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 183751 through 225200³⁶⁴. In 1937, there were 26900 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 225301 through 268400³⁶⁴. In 1938, there were 19675 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 268501 through 310600³⁶⁴. In 1939, there were 10224 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 311201 through 344000³⁶⁴. In 1946, there were 26 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 353957 through 354075³⁶⁴. In 1947, there were 300 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 354001 through 356650³⁶⁴. 1950 marked the last year for deliveries, with 486 Leica IIIa Model G cameras delivered, with serial numbers ranging from 356701 through 357186³⁶⁴.

Closing Remarks

Leica IIIa Model G went out of production in 1950 with serial number 357186, with 94921 cameras produced³⁶⁴.