LEICA STANDARD MODEL E

The nomenclature for early Leica camera models varied significantly between Europe and the USA, with the European designation being "Standard" and the American equivalent being "E"³¹³. The camera was code-named ALVOO³⁶⁰.

The production of the Leica Standard Model E spanned from October¹⁴ 1932 to 1948 (or 1950¹³⁰), characterized by serial numbers ranging from 100001 (or 101001¹³⁰) to 355655¹⁸.

Finishes

It was available in both black lacquer and chrome finishes¹⁴. In 1932 and 1933, a total of 4200 units were produced, with serial numbers spanning from 101001 to 105300. In 1933, just 14 units were fashioned in chrome, with serial numbers ranging from 105201 to 105214. Production between black and chrome variants was nearly balanced, with the last black models rolling off the assembly line in 1939 and the final chrome versions manufactured until 1950¹³⁰. The Band I by Willi Hahne indicates that only 2245 units of the Leica Standard Model E were manufactured in black and chrome bodies²⁶⁸. The last chrome iteration of the Leica Standard Model E was recorded with a serial number of 355607, manufactured in 1950¹³⁰. The quantity produced in black was 13545, while those with chrome finish totaled at 13680 cameras. Consequently, the total production amounted to 27225 cameras³⁶⁰.

Leica Standard Model E in Black and Chrome finish²⁶⁸
Year of Manufacture²⁶⁸	Serial Number Range²⁶⁸	Units Made²⁶⁸
1937	244201-244400	200
1937	244801-245000	200
1937	248501-248600	100
1937	253601-253800	200
1937	259801-259900	100
1937	267901-268000	100
1938	271501-271600	100
1938	286501-286600	100
1938	291801-292000	200
1938	295306-295400	95
1938	296801-296900	100
1938	303801-303900	100
1938	307501-307600	100
1939	312701-312800	100
1939	325301-325400	100
1939	327801-328000	200
1939	333501-333600	100
1939	342051-342100	50

Technical Specifications

The Leica Standard Model E served as the foundational model of the Ernst Leitz¹³⁰. This model does not feature a rangefinder¹⁴. It was equipped with "O" rings that allow for interchangeable lenses without necessitating factory recalibration¹⁴. It was typically accompanied by the economical nickel-plated 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens, however, consumers could opt to purchase the camera body independently and select any desired lens¹³⁰. The camera had shutter speeds from 1/20 to 1/500 of second and Z (bulb). The camera's rewind knob could be lifted up for greater convenience in rewinding³⁵⁸.

The Leica Standard Model E had a greater variety of accessories and attachments than any previous Leica cameras¹³⁰. All Leica Standard Model E cameras bear the engraving "Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar, 'D.R.P.' (Deutsches Reichspatent)" on the base of the speed dial, while the name "Leica" appears solely on the lens caps¹³⁰. Variants of the Leica Standard Model E may display engravings of "N-L" or "S-T" on the top cover, situated between the "D.R.P." and "Ernst Leitz" markings. The "S-T" engraving signifies official importation by Tiranty, the Leitz agent in France, while the "N-L" denotes importation by Odin, the Leitz representative for the Netherlands. A correspondence from Odin in 1979 confirmed this detail²⁹¹.

With the depletion of stocks for the new Leica Standard Model E cameras, production pivoted to modifications of returned used cameras and prototypes as requested by dealers. This included the Leica I Model A, Leica II Model D, Leica III Model F, and Leica IIIa Model G, alongside new components maintained for repairs which supported these production adaptations. As supplies of parts from Wetzlar dwindled, Ernst Leitz in New York commenced in-house manufacturing of these components, leading to some variations in the resultant cameras. Notably, some wind and rewind knobs were produced with female threading, diverging from the standard male threading typically sourced from Wetzlar³⁶.

Production of the Leica Standard Model E persisted into the post-World War II era, evolving into what became known as the “Postwar Standard”¹⁴. During this time, Leica I Model A and Leica I Model C cameras were eligible for modification at the American facility, enabling them to be upgraded to the specifications of the Leica Standard Model E. Some of these units may have been assembled using components from Leica III Model F body shells. Two distinct types of shutter speed dials can be observed on these models: earlier versions incorporate larger dials akin to those found on the Leica I Model A, Leica I Model C, and Leica II Model D¹³⁰. The term "Germany" is inscribed exclusively on lenses and finders produced post-World War II, with "auf" and "zu" engraved on the base plates¹³⁰.

Over its decade-long production span, a total of 560 units of the Leica Standard Model E classified as the "New York models," "New York Standard," or "Postwar Standard," were produced¹³⁰. The New York Standard camera was offered by Leitz agents in the United States during the 1940s, alongside the 5cm f/3.5 Wollensak lens. This camera is distinguished by its metal cover, which replaces the traditional slow-speed dial. Early models feature a circular metal cover secured by three screws, while later versions may have a covering made of sharkskin. All of these cameras come with a chrome finish and body lugs, with some models featuring a complete body shell that is also covered in sharkskin³⁶⁰. This exceptionally rare variant of post-war Leica Standard Model E is characterized by serial numbers ranging from 353901 to 353980, with production occurring between 1946 and 1948, totaling 18 units. Another variant of the post-war Leica Standard Model E, with serial numbers from 355001 to 355460, was manufactured between 1947 and 1950, with a total output of 460 units. A further iteration, identified by serial numbers between 355551 and 355607, was produced in 1950, comprising just 57 units²¹⁰. Collections in the United States primarily include Postwar Standard cameras within the serial number range of 355001 to 355500, which were delivered to Ernst Leitz New York between 1947 and 1950²⁷⁶.

All Postwar Standard cameras were designed with strap eyelets to facilitate transport. Additionally, these models included a cover plate over the aperture intended for the future installation of a slow-speed mechanism and dial. Initially, these covers were chrome-plated and secured with three visible screws, but later versions used the same material as the camera body¹⁴.

The New York model was often paired exclusively with the 50mm f/3.5 Leitz Wollensak Velostigmat lens, a rare alternative produced during the 1940s, when obtaining German lenses was challenging due to World War II. Similar in construction to the Elmar, the Wollensak Velostigmat utilized a Tessar-type four-element lens formula. The lens marked with "WC" denotes anti-reflection coating applied through the Wollensak process¹³⁰.

An attached tubular viewfinder typically covered the field of view for 50mm lenses, although most users preferred the Universal viewfinder, especially the "torpedo" or VIDOM/VIOOH (Imarect). Any rangefinder could be mounted on the accessory shoe, with a horizontal rangefinder featuring a "peg" on its swivel base, particularly the short FOKOS type, being the preferred choice¹³⁰.

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. This was true for the introduction of the Leica III Model F as well. 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 Standard Model E” to “Leica II Model D”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” to “Leica II Model D syn”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” to “Leica III Model F”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” to “Leica IIIa Model G”³¹³
One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” 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
A chrome plating option for black painted Leica Standard Model E cameras was offered at a special price³¹³
Cameras with serial numbers below 160000 required separate price quotation for the addition of the synchronization³¹³

Price

The camera was commendably priced. Originally, the retail price of the Postwar Standard camera was set at 199.50 USD¹⁴.

Collector's Corner

Collectors should pursue the three distinct variations of the Leica Standard Model E¹³⁰:

1. Black enamel with nickel-plated knobs and trim, classified as "scarce" by the Collectors' Checklist.

2. Chromium-plated top and bottom plates, knobs, and trim, also classified as "scarce"

3. A black body with chrome trim, categorized as "scarce to rare"

Compared to Other Models

Distinguishing between the Leica I Model C and the Leica Standard Model E required examining serial numbers and rewind mechanisms; the former's rewind knob is non-pullable¹⁴, whereas the latter's is designed for easy lifting¹⁴. The Leica Standard Model E was developed after the Leica II Model D, with the extendable rewind knob—same as that of the Leica II Model D — being one result of Leitz's ongoing rationalization policy at that time³⁶⁰. The camera incorporated technical enhancements from the Leica II Model D, also released in 1932¹⁴. The early iterations of the Standard Model E are fitted with a large-diameter shutter speed dial akin to that of the Leica I Model A, I Model C, and early Leica II Model D cameras. Subsequent iterations adopted a smaller dial, as found on the Leica III Model F¹⁰³. Visually, the Standard Model E is identified by its pull-up rewind knob, which resembles that of the Leica II Model D, differing from the Leica I Model C while featuring various internal improvements¹³⁰.

Closing Remarks

The Standard Model E was ultimately succeeded by the Leica Ic between 1949 and 1950¹³⁰.

Gifts and Special Editions

^{The Leica Standard Model E with serial number 300000 was presented to Dr. Gustav Wilmanns, co-inventor of Agfacolor film, in 1941⁴⁸.}