LEICA IIID
Leica IIId (code-named LLOIS360) was offered between 1940 and 19424. This camera was produced in limited batches, with serial numbers ranging between 360001 and 36750057. According to a different source, the serial numbers ranged from 360001 to 3601004, but some reports60 also suggest ranges from 360001 to 360020, 360040 to 360083, 360106 to 360134, and 367326 to 36750042. However, there are Leica IIId cameras that exist outside of serial numbers 360001 and 367500. These may come from small, unrecorded production batches, or they could be IIIc cameras that were later modified by the addition of a self-timer mechanism. A modified camera might have a serial number as low as 336000 (the lowest observed serial number in this range) or as high as 39999957.
Most of the Leica IIId cameras were manufactured during the years 1939-1940360. However, due to issues with their delayed-action mechanisms, many were stored—some of them complete and others incomplete—and ultimately sold in 1945, again as either complete or incomplete units360. Therefore, while cameras from these batches may lack the delayed-action mechanism, they still qualify as Leica IIId cameras based on their construction360.
Variations
There are 2 variants of the Leica IIId that are noteworthy360:
1. Leica IIId with serial numbers ranging from 360001 to 360134 - (Some standard Leica III series cameras were also produced within this range.) This model has the following characteristics360:
- Black shutter blinds360
- A brass spindle for either motor or rapid wind base coupling360
- No slow-speed dial lock360
2. Leica IIId with serial numbers ranging from 362401 to 379226 This model has the following characteristics360:
- Red shutter blinds360
- A motor-coupling spindle360
- A slow-speed dial lock360
Not all examples of these 2 variants are equipped with a self-timer mechanism, although some may still contain remnants of it360. Since the Leica IIId may have been introduced before the Leica IIIc, it was likely intended that all subsequent production models of the Leica would include a delayed-action mechanism360. All Leica IIIc cameras produced up to 1945 have internal castings that allow for the installation of this mechanism360. The self-timer mechanism in the Leica IIId differs from that in the Leica IIIf360. Additionally, early post-war Leica IIIc cameras could be converted at the factory to function with a delayed-action mechanism, essentially transforming them into Leica IIId cameras360.
Technical Specifications
The Leica IIId model is derived from the 15er, also known as the pedestal IIIc57. Technically, Leica IIId is a Leica IIIc with a self-timer added4. In fact, Leica IIId was the first Leica to feature a built-in self-timer100. Initially, Leitz experimented with a delayed-action mechanism similar to the one used in the shutter of the Leica I Model B Dial-Set Compur camera360. They modified this timer mechanism by adding a setting or tensioning lever along with an extended releasing lever that pressed down on the flanged top of the release shaft gear360. In the Leica IIId, the delayed-action mechanism is based on the design originally developed for the prototype Leica IV from 1935, which never went into production due to the introduction of the Leica M3360. The key difference is that the Leica IIId uses a Prontor shutter, supplied by Gauthier of Kalmbach, instead of a Compur shutter360. The Leica IIId used almost the same mechanism as the later Leica IIIf and IIIg models360. However, the mechanisms in the IIIf and IIIg are more reliable because they are operated by a main spring with a longer release360. Additionally, the release lever button of the Leica IIId features one more concentric ring compared to that of the Leica IIIf360.
The shutter release features a small style sleeve, similar to those used on Leica I Model A through IIIb. This sleeve must be removed when utilizing a cable release. The reverse lever is located on an raised step. There is no external detent for the slow speed shutter. The slow-speed shutter has the escarpment shifting bar located on the top exterior of the housing. The shutter cloth is red on one side, with the red side facing outward on the closed shutter and facing inward on the open one42. Later non-removable release guard, lock-on slow speed knob for 1/30th of a second setting, later IIIf setting lever for self-timer, and black shutter blinds57.
It's interesting to note that not all Leica IIId cameras came with red blinds. Initially, they were equipped with black blinds until approximately serial number 362000, when red blinds became standard until around serial number 378000. If your camera has black blinds and its serial number falls within this range, it likely means the original blinds were replaced due to wear or age57.
Leica IIIc and Leica IIId were the first two Leicas to use a precision die-cast frame rather than stamped brass100.
Inspection of delivery ledgers preserved at Leica Solms indicates that the Leica IIIc and Leica IIId (serial number range 360001-390000) were shipped to at least thirty countries outside of Germany between 1940 and 1944262. Deliveries of Leica cameras were not made to the United States, England, Australia, or New Zealand. Germany had been at war since September 1939, and the United States did not officially enter World War II until December 1941. The last deliveries of Leica cameras, specifically the Leica IIIb, to the significant American market occurred in June 1940. Serious Leica researchers are particularly interested in the new Leica IIIc and Leica IIId models introduced in 1940. My preliminary research confirms the following delivery destinations for these cameras: Albania, Japan, Austria, Latvia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Manchukuo (Manchuria), Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Gilbert Islands, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Yugoslavia262.
Both Leica IIId with serial numbers 360121 and 360124 entered American Leica collections during the 1960s. The former may have received a new top cover to improve its cosmetic appearance303.
The circumstances surrounding cameras with serial numbers 360121 and 360124 are of historic significance303.
Collector's Corner
The Leica IIId is unquestionably a rare Leica303.
Compared to Other Models
It features a delayed action shutter release that is slightly different from the one found on the IIIf or IIIg. The end of the lever arm has six concentric circles, compared to only four on the IIIf or IIIg42.
Closing Remarks
The absence of self-timers ultimately led to the discontinuation of Leica IIId camera production4.
Military
Its known that two U.S. Army officers received their new Leica IIId cameras through neutral Switzerland. The shipment was sent to an Army Post Office in Allied-Occupied France during late 1944 to early 1945. The Leica IIId cameras were part of a five-camera batch, with serial numbers ranging from 360121 to 360125. This batch was sent to the Leitz agent Perrot in Biel, Switzerland, on September 9, 1944. The shipment, identified by the telegraphic code LAQOO, included Leica IIId models with a 50mm f/2 Summitar lens and is recorded as shipment #14082. Interestingly, the delivery ledger indicates that these cameras were manufactured on March 20, 1942, which is more than two years prior to their shipment to Perrot in Biel, Switzerland303.
The Leica IIId was used by the German forces during the Second World War360. Examples exist with a grey body covering (with 'Luftwaffen Eigentum' engraved on it), although the top plate and rangefinder housing are not finished in grey; an FL contract number is engraved on the latter360.
Cameras numbered 367305 to 367324 were part of a batch delivered to the Japanese naval attaché in Berlin in 1944360. Cameras numbered 367325 to 367500 were delivered to the United States Army Signal Corps in July and August of 1945360. Some of these cameras featured grey vulcanite body shells instead of the standard black360.