90yr Old Leica I Cameras, Why I Love
YouTube followers will know I have two of these fantastic vintage Leica I Model C cameras. Here I show what these cameras can do and more information regarding the Leica I (and Leica II, Leica III) cameras.
Can you take photos with a 90 year old camera?
The answer will purely depend on how well the specific camera has been looked after and whether it can still be serviced. Thankfully vintage Leica cameras can still be sent in for a CLA and service so you can often enjoy them as if they were new today. I love using my 90+ year old Leica cameras and I will share some photos in this article.
Tired of modern day tech? Miss the basics?
If you are completely fed up with the endless lists of menus in your digital camera or the 10 custom buttons you never use then these cameras are probably for you. The beauty of a vintage Leica camera is you only get the bare minimum, nothing more. A Leica I (Model C) camera goes back to the beginning of 35mm photography and I just love the simplicity.
First Leica camera?
If we quickly cover a brief bit of history, Oscar Barnack designed these Leica cameras and made the first mass production 35mm film camera. The first popular Leica camera model was the Leica I (Model A) which had a fixed lens. The Leica I (Model B) that followed also had a fixed lens but this time a leaf shutter. Next came the Leica I (Model C) that we are looking at here.
Leica I (Model C)
If you’ve read some of my articles in the past, sometimes I refer to my first Leica I camera as a Leica Standard. The correct name is a Leica I (Model C) Standard as early Leica I cameras were not yet standardised to work with multiple lenses. If your Leica I camera has a “0” engraved in the lens mount then it is the Standard so will work with all LTM/L39 lenses to date. Model C cameras now have interchangeable lenses and were normally supplied with a Leica Elmar 5cm or 50mm f3.5 lens.
Lens – Leica Elmar 5cm f3.5 (YouTube)
Leitz Elmar 5cm f3.5
The Leitz Elmar 5cm f3.5 is still the smallest Leica lens ever made and can be found with different lens coatings depending on the age. If the front lens element has a blue or coloured tint it is coated, if no colour it’s probably uncoated. Uncoated lenses can flare more easily and give a lower contrast and perceived softer more glowy look. See the sample photo below shot wide open at f3.5. Good sharpness but a nice glow too.
Leica Standard (Model E)
For completeness, the Leica camera known as the Leica Standard is actually the later Leica Standard (Model E) which was a budget offering from Leica released as an alternative to the Model D and Model F. You can see how each model compared in the table below
Vintage Leica I, II, III comparison table
Learn more about Leica III cameras
For more information on the different Leica I, II and III cameras check out this detailed article below.
Buying my first Leica I Model C camera
Perhaps like many Leica photographers I loved the idea of owning a stealthy black paint vintage Leica camera. I spotted one on eBay one day and bought it instantly. I then bought the original nickel plated Leitz Elmar lens from the same seller so I had the matching set. I had no idea how much I was going to love this little camera!
Shutter replacement for a Leica I camera
Sadly before the fun really got started I soon realised my nice 1931 Leica I Model C would need a full CLA/Service and a new shutter. At the time I had a contact who occasionally helped me with my Leicas. I left it with him for what seemed like 9-12 months but once it came back it was like a brand new camera. The sound and snappiness was to die for! Now it was time to take some photos.
I can’t focus it? How to scale focus a Leica camera
I was fortunate to find a Leica I (Model C) that came with the original “HFOOK” FOKOS tall accessory rangefinder unit. These Leica I cameras have no built in coupled rangefinder. The bad news was mine rangefinder needed calibrating and I didn’t know how. (See video linked later in the article on how to calibrate them yourself).
Not being able to accurately focus meant that this camera would be less suited to my usual model photography portraits. Instead the plan was to use the camera as a zone focus camera (or scale focus). To scale focus you approximate the distance to your subject and stop the lens down for a great depth of field.
Best lens for Leica I camera?
The best lens will of course depend on your own needs and tastes. Do you prefer soft or sharp, modern or lower contrast, fast aperture or smaller slower aperture lenses?
The obvious lens choice is perhaps the 5cm Leitz Elmar f3.5 supplied with the camera but without a rangefinder 50mm is not the best for shallow depth of field. I needed something wider.
My first idea was to use the small and light vintage Voigtlander Snapshot Skopar 25mm f4 LTM lens. For this a bought a round black metal Voigtlander viewfinder to aid composition and I was all set. (See a photo of my camera pinned on my Instagram – search @MrLeicaCom to follow me there).
The camera/lens/finder combo looked great but somehow the photos were not doing it for me. Perhaps the lower contrast from this lens. I needed something else.
Voigtlander Snapshot Skopar 25mm f4 – YouTube
The Voigtlander Snapshot Skopar 25mm f4 is an amazing lens on digital. Perfect walkaround lens for my Leica M10 but I just wasn’t feeling it on film.
Next lens for my Leica I Model C
As what often seems to be the case, Voigtlander came to the rescue! In recent years Voigtlander shocked the world.. or well me at least, by releasing the first new LTM mount lens for over a decade. Welcome to the new Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f2.8.
Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f2.8 – YouTube
This new lens from Voigtlander ticked all my boxes. Small, lightweight, sharp and contrasty AND in Leica screw mount. It even comes in black paint! This lens is so good I eventually bought two, one silver for other cameras and one back to live on my Leica I C.
Leica I camera viewfinder
If you’ve never used a Leica I Model C, or any Leica II, Leica III camera made (except the last model, the Leica IIIG) all cameras have a fixed 50mm viewfinder for composing. Most cameras released after the early Leica I Model C also had a built in coupled rangefinder but not all. Again, refer to the article linked above.
My interest with the Leica I cameras is their small size and low weight. The 40mm Voigtlander Heliar pairs nicely as it is also small and light but adding a fat 40mm viewfinder to the cold shoe adds too much bulk. My solution was to approximate 40mm using the fixed 50mm viewfinder and crop tight in camera to my subjects.
Sample photos with Leica I camera
Most of these photos were likely taken with the mentioned Voigtlander Heliar 40mm f2.8 LTM lens but click any photo to view full res and for more details, lens used etc.
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Smallest 35mm Leica screw mount lens
If you are a 35mm shooter the smallest 35mm lens in screw mount is the current production Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 8-Element replica but the collapsible version. Fantastic lens for both size and optics but I prefer the rigid version they make for the focus tab design.
Best Leica film camera for travel
The lightweight Leica I model C is one of the smallest options as a Leica film camera for travel. It has no rangefinder so is pretty much bomb proof and can take beautiful images.
Scale focus portraits with Leica I C
A scale focus only camera is far from ideal for portraits but it’s still possible. The easiest option is to cheat and use a second camera to measure the distance, then dial it into your Leica I lens and take the shot.
My favourite Leica camera
Although the Leica M3 is my favourite camera for portraits and general use (speed of focusing, speed of loading film, unloading film, everything) the Leica I camera became my favourite every day carry camera for travel.
Best EDC Leica camera (Every Day Carry)
The beauty of a small camera is you can take it with you everywhere.
Teaching a Leica workshop in Italy cost me!
A US photographer flew us both to Italy so I could run a multi-day 1:1 Leica workshop for him. We happened to visit the house of the famous Luigi Crescenzi (maker of the premium Leica camera cases). Originally I was only there to advise my student but like with all these things as soon as I saw the beautiful leather cases I needed to get myself one.
Leica+Model Workshops
Luigi cases for Leica cameras
It was a real pleasure to meet Luigi. An ex-Leica dealer, Leica collector and maker of Luigi cases for Leica cameras (all models). See the video to meet Luigi!
Leica I cameras have no strap lugs
The main reason to buy a beautiful leather Luigi half case for my Leica I Model C is these camera have no strap lugs. Often I’ve wanted to wear the camera but I couldn’t. Thankfully Luigi had camera cases specific to the Leica I C so I now feel like a million dollars wearing my vintage Leica camera.
Best bag for Leica I, II, III cameras
As vintage Leica Barnack cameras are so compact (and often their lenses too), it is easy to slip them into your daily bag. If you want a specific camera bag or a bag insert for your normal bags you might enjoy this article. The new pouches not yet shown are a perfect size for a 1 camera, 1 lens setup. (I was using them in Italy).
Biggest problem with Leica I camera
For me the biggest problem with the Leica I Model C is the basic camera (without accessories) lacks the coupled rangefinder so I can only take photos at say f8-f11. This can be limited in terms of both creativity (and using shallow depth of field) and physically if there is insufficient light. What I really needed was a black paint Leica with a build in coupled rangefinder.
Unknowingly buying a second Leica I Model C
When I was at Luigi’s house I asked if he had any cheaper (more marked) black paint Leica cameras with a coupled rangefinder. He pulls out a black paint Leica II Model D and in the moment I said yes (and then bought a case to go with it). When I got back to the UK I checked the Leica serial number (list is in linked article above) and found it was actually a 1930 Leica I Model C that was later converted to a Leica II Model D.
Converted Leica II Model D
It was normal (as I read), back in the 1930s for Leica to offer a service to upgrade your current Leica camera to a later model. It’s said that Leica sold the cheaper Leica I Model E version with the option to upgrade to a Model D or Model F at a later date (both offering more features and a coupled rangefinder).
Leica II Model D
So my second black paint Leica Barnack camera looks like a Leica II but is in fact even older than my existing Leica I Model C. The big advantage is I now have a camera very similar to my daily carry but with a coupled rangefinder built it. Amazing, I thought.
Leica I, II, III rangefinder calibration
After shooting a test roll in my new Leica II D in Rome I realised my coupled rangefinder was misaligned. I wasn’t sure how to fix it but after lots of reading online I found a copy of the original Leica I owners manual/ repair manual.
With a few simple screwdrivers I had my Leica II camera rangefinder calibrated and I made a video to help others in the same situation. It’s so easy to do yourself and will save the cost of a camera shop repair which is around $200.
How to calibrate your Leica I, II, III rangefinder
Is the Leica II Model D the perfect EDC?
So now I have a Leica I Model C dressed as a Leica II Model D, is this now the ultimate film cameras as my every day carry (EDC) for travel? Erm.. I thought it was but it’s not sadly. I’ll explain why.
Reasons to buy a Leica III Model F
All Leica I and Leica II cameras up to the Leica III Model F have either no rangefinder or a coupled 1x magnification rangefinder with no diopter. All later models that I’m used to using (I have chrome finish Leica III cameras from the 1930s – Leica iiia, and 1950s models – various).
My eyes are used to the very accurate 1.5x magnification Leica III camera rangefinder view (more accurate than most Leica M cameras except the Leica M3 and Leica M6 0.85x). As a glasses wearer I also appreciate a built in diopter where possible. When I first came to use my new Leica II Model D I realised it was really tough for precise focusing. That won’t work if I want to use it for my model photography in addition to travel photos.
Leica camera effective base length (EBL)
Most later Leica III cameras (with 1.5x magnifier have an EBL (effective base length) of 58.5. My Leica M2 and Leica M4-P (as examples) have an EBL of 49.3. The Leica II Model D has an EBL of only 39 which is similar to using a Voigtlander Bessa R3A or R3M. See my full EBL article to see how different rangefinder cameras compare.
Leica slow shutter speed dial
Unlike the Leica I Model C and Leica II Model D, the Leica III Model F also boasts both strap lugs (so I can use without a half case), and a slow shutter speed dial. The minimum shutter speed on a Leica I C or Leica II D is 1/20 but with the Leica III F I can go down to 1 second. I don’t normally do long exposure photography but with film having 1/15 or 1/8 can be really useful handheld in low light situations.
Black paint Leica cameras
When doing some research for the above linked video I accidentally spotted a fair price black paint Leica III model F (1934) with lens and box on eBay. I thought I’d send the seller a low offer as my video had just aired so I thought I may have accidentally inspired others to buy these great cameras. Thanks to my FOMO (fear of missing out) and placing a bid, to my surprise the offer was accepted.
I’ll soon be the proud owner of my third black paint Leica camera. The Leica III Model F will complete my black paint trio and now I have a camera for every situation (street, travel and portraits).
Join the family!
Best Leica I, II, III camera for you
The beauty with these early Leica I, Leica II and Leica III cameras is there is something for everyone.
Get a Leica I C or Leica Standard Model E if you love to scale focus and don’t need a rangefinder. Look at a Leica II D if you need a coupled rangefinder but plan to shoot stopped down or with wider lenses.
If like me you love the focusing aspect of rangefinder photography and the option to use shadow depth of field then consider the Leica III Model F or any other Leica Barnack camera that followed. (See article linked above).
Buying used Leica III cameras
Leica III cameras are only available used due to their age. Silver (chrome) finish Leica III cameras are generally cheaper than black paint Leica III cameras. Models produced in higher numbers are less collectable and therefore cheaper. Cameras with more signs of use are cheaper than more mint condition cameras. You can find some real bargains if you shop around online and are patient and often with lens included.
Leica III clones
If you don’t want to spend money on a Leica camera you could also consider a Leica III clone camera. In the early days many camera brands made their own version of a Leica Barnack camera. I have cameras like the Zorki IC and Nicca IIIs which are Leica clones and a fraction of the Leica prices. Leica III cameras are great value for Leica cameras but if you want to test the water first to see if you enjoy the rangefinder experience then consider a Leica clone. Just expect them to feel more rough and ready and less refined (from my own experience).
Budgeting for a Leica service/ CLA
As these cameras can be 90+ years old there is a good chance they will benefit from a full CLA. You might want to plan that into your budget if looking to buy any vintage camera.
Cameras are merely light-tight boxes
It’s always good to remember that it’s the lens that makes the final image not the camera. That said, I like my light tight boxes to have certain features or characteristics so (1) I can focus accurately (2) they are small enough to always carry (3) they are so much fun to use they are responsible for you taking lots more photos! Some cameras just inspire me a lot more than others.
Prefer SLR cameras to rangefinder cameras?
It was 30 years before Leica produced their first SLR (single lens reflex) camera with the Leicaflex and Leica R mount cameras that followed.
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A great article. Very comprehensive and thoughtful. Thank you!
Thanks Eric, very kind!
Thank you very much for this great article. I also love Leica LTM and I think that I will buy a Leica Ic very soon 🙂 . Do you know “human rangefinder” to use a camera like Leica I without rangefinder as a rangefinder camera ? I use this method accurately for years with my Rollei 35s and Kodak Retinas. Sorry I can’t add a link in my comment but many results on Google with “human rangefinder”
Thanks Frederic! Yes great cameras. I Google human rangefinder. Thanks! (I will need it for my new camera too.. video to come soon!) 🙂
héhé, can’t wait 🙂
Matt, Have you ever used a Leica 1f or M1? And what are your thoughts on these cameras if you have? If you have and I missed your observations, I apologize. Thank you
Hi Dennis, yes I have the 1c and 1f (see the 1c video on YT). The M1 is like these but M mount. Similar to the MDa etc but with the addition of a 35/50 viewfinder (no RF). I got the MDa instead. Video is coming soon. All these do the same job, you need to zone focus.
Love the site. I have an old one my wife gave me to find out about. Was her father’s from Chile. No idea what model except early. I mentioned I wanted to go old school and she pulls it out! I’d love to get your professional opinion on it!
Thanks Rob, send me a clear photo on Instagram and I can check for you – @mrleicacom