Introduction:- Here in this section that I am reserving some space for
future updates on any possible variant from Leica M3 bodies.
What variant ? Simple because once a camera model has established its market/users
confidence, most often when any special project that may request a special modified
camera body/lenses to serve a particular application that may not be able to utilize
an available standard production camera's features, most likely a corporation may
seek help from the creator to see if a special spec camera body/lenses were possible.
A well publicized camera type was the NASA-spec camera/lenses. In a way, it does
brought benefit to the manufacturer in terms of global product branding as well as
free-exposure in association with such a project. Thus it can be quite uncommon too
to find a manufacturer would reject such a request. However, if the request was only
came in small quantity, it may leave it to the individual to decide if it was viable
for such a join-venture. However, this was not always the case, for an example, official
sponsorship for a major international event such as World Cup, Olympic etc. may also
see the official sponsor to take advantage in releasing bodies to either commemorate
the event or camera that provide special application. Over the years in a few instances
like summer or winter Olympic Games, both Canon and Nikon had introduced special
application camera types that enabled sport photographers to capture high speed sequences
(you may read Canon original F1 High Speed
Motor Drive Camera for Olympic
Games at Sapporo in 1972; Canon New F-1 High Speed (L.A Olympic 1984); Nikon F High Speed
(1964); Nikon F2 High Speed Motor Drive camera etc. It may not always be the case, sometimes even an individual
small corporation may also request for a special modified body that conform to individual
request, a good example is the Nikon F TRIBUNE with
high speed film advance rate. Commemorative
model can be just confined to special engraving, for an example the Canon New F1 L.A Olympic 1984 has only printed on with Olympic logo but it doesn't provide any special
functions as compare to standard production unit.
Well, as photography is NOT entirely
sports orientated. Some special request may come in from all aspect in the industry.
For an example, there are many US Navy Model which may be made specifically to exacting
standard as well as specifications. e.g. Nikon F US Navy
or more popularly referred as Nikon F KS80A. Not all of these are produced in special
modification. Many of the US military units that were having US. NAVY engraving are
simply means they were property of the US governmental agency and has no significant
changes to basic spec of the camera features. e.g. Nikon F3 US Navy or
Canon New F1 US Navy.
Again, special application camera models
can just be just produced to entertain general request from a particular large corporation
and/or governmental agencies. If the requested volume as well as practical application
justify, the manufacturer may even consider to produce in larger quantity and gave
it a specific model name. One good example is a the Nikon 35s just for repro work
- a simplified version of the Nikkorex and since it doesn't require many of he camera
built-in functions but usage repro outfit in the lab can be very extensive, it was
hence being made as a standard model.
As for Leica, one excellent example is the Leica MDa
Post for German postal service. It has full format as well as half frame spec models.
The special application camera potential can have further growth i.e. if the system
adopted by German Postal services can "export" to other nations. It didn't
materialized in such possibilities and so, it was remained as only Germany Postal
Service specific usage camera. They could also be failed or abandoned project after
half way in production of test or prototype camera in this kid of market. Anyway,
in usual trade term an initial funding fees were usually charged and even if it has
failed or terminated by the respective involved party, Leica has nothing to lose
- EXCEPT in the museum will add with a few prototype models as display. Well, Leica
has always being a recognized brand in the EU, if not the world. There were other
forms of request, where this page is all about. Below are some special application
Leica cameras or variants that served individual purpose.
Leica M3 'Royal Dutch Marine'
Model, 1966
According to Leicashop® auction references, this camera type was delivered to
the Royal Dutch Marine (to 'Odin' on January 17th, 1966) with special mount for submarine
periscopes, metal front-cap from Leitz, wooden-box marked 'Koninklijke Marine 1966'
on the rear, very rare military camera by Leica. The price for this rare piece of
Leica Military-spec body has an indicative auction buy-now price of EURO 1,500-00
a few years ago*.
* NOTE;- Indicative price(s) appeared herein were based on
original prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary
according to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other progressive,
renewed valuation methods.
Credit: Image/content courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
Leica M3 chrome, SS 'United Nations', 1957
Here is another Leica M3 variant in single-stroke with good technical condition.
The shutter speed dial has a brass-like finishing while rear section of the camera
was engraved with: United Nations New York, NY 100xx and the UN logo. Not
sure if the actual application but it has been serialized and could be among a larger
batch. Leicashop® Auction Buy-Now price was EUR 1.320 (Hammer price incl. premium)
a few years ago*.
* NOTE;- Indicative price(s) appeared herein were based on
original prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary
according to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other progressive,
renewed valuation methods.
Credit: Images/content courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
Betriebsk.
Leica MP-1167 w/Electric Motor Drive, 1956
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Here is one Leica that can easily make any Leica collector
heart beats faster; I am no historian nor good technical background But still with
my limited knowledge, I can still smell this is a "special" one. > anyway,
here I am using the auctioneer Leicashop® original description as a reference
on this very special Leica edition:-
" .....Before a small series of 27 MP2 cameras
were produced, Leitz Wetzlar had already made tests with an electric motor drive
for the M-series in 1956. According to the works records, this camera was given to
Mr. Hilgendorf, the constructor of the first Wetzlar Leica motor drive, on November
18th 1957 and noted in the records as 'MP f. motor'. In total only two more of these
cameras were made: Leica M3 Betriebsk. Nr.1147 and Leica MP Betriebsk. Nr.1166. 'Betriebsk.'
means that these cameras were only used inside the Leitz factory for test purposes.
Number 1147 is in a private collection, number 1166 was dismantled and probably destroyed.
The motor drive looks like the spring-wound MOOLY and had a key for 'open / close'
on the bottom, similar to a bottomplate. The release was already internal but there
was still no micro switch to prevent the motor being on while the shutter was wound.
This feature was later installed on the MP2 motor drive — similar to the change from
first to second model Leitz New York Leica motor. It was constructed for more than
4 exposures per second. Only two more of these motor drives were built, one is in
a private collection with M3-Betriebsk.1147, the other motor was built into a cut-away
model. This camera is illustrated in Lager 1 page 198, see also: Wilhelm Albert,
Geburtstage der Leitz-Photo-Konstruktionen ab 1927, page 204. This camera is certainly
the most important M camera ever offered at a public auction! ..."
Rare & highly collectibles are always synchronized with a good premium: This
Betriebsk MP has an extraordinary high startup auction price of EUR 45.000-00 while
the hammer (buy-now) price was EUR
94.200* incl. premium appeared during
previous auction conducted by Weslicht !
*
NOTE;- Indicative price(s) appeared herein were based on original prices published
on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according to gradual yearly
premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other progressive, renewed valuation methods.
Personal Note: Once
sold, such kind of extremely rare collectible piece may take a long long time to
resurface again in the public. If you have any other equivalent collectible camera
and/or system component, do consider to let us archive them in this public showcase
for all to share. Thanks.
Credit: Images/content courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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Visual Library on Leica M3 Prototype, 1952; Leica M3 Test model, 1953/4 | A photo showcase on early series
of Leica M3 DS bodies:- Leica M3-700131
/ M3-700170 / M3-700000/M3-70031x/M3-70051x | M3 double
stroke chrome 1954~1957 bodies:- Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4; Leica M3 Single
Stroke 1957~60/1961~66
| Leica M3 Black Paint:-1955/1958/1962~1964/66
/ Case
study on Prices | Leica M3 ELC, 1955/56
Other Leica M3 Variants:- Leica M3 chrome Leica-Technik 57
1954; Leica M3
GOLD Edition, 1956 | Leica M3
DS United Nation Edition, 1957
| Leica M3
Olive Bundeseigentum outfit
1957/ Olive
Green Bundeseigentum outfit,
1959 (2 Parts) w/info on high quality M3 Olive Conversion | Leica M3 Betriebskamera/ Betriebsk 1960
| Leica M3 Royal Dutch Marine
Periscope Model, 1966 | Leica
M3 Dummies / Riesen-Mode
(Giant scale Model); Leica M3 Cutaway Display Unit , 1954
Recommended External Link:
Leica FAQ
| Leica M3 Instruction Manual 1) Location 1 (1.35mb PDF) by Joe Chan; Location 2 (1.2mb PDF) by M.Butkus < Mike@bukus.org>; Leica FAQ
| Serial Number Ref. (Cameraquest):
LSM lenses 1923/1965 | Leica M 1954/1999/Leica M/R-mount RF/SLRs Serial Number ; Leica
M-lens coding PDF (84k) download (Leica, AG); Leica Camera/Leitz Lenses S/N check (requires registration) at
Owners Support@LEICA camera, AG
LEICA MP-Specific
models/variants - Visual Profiles on selective Leica bodies:- Leica MP Prototype, 1955 | MP
Betriebsk w/Electric Motor, 1956 |
Leica MP-88/MP-150 Black paint, 1957 | Leica MP-167;
Leica MP-171/MP-313/old/new
Leicavit visual, 1957 | Leica MP 367 & 368
Dual, 1957 | Leica
MP-375, MP-368 &
MP-386 | Leica MP 'Edition Hermès', 2003 |
Leica MP Betriebsk
0.72x | Evential production model MP 0.72x Black
paint, 2002 | Leica MP classic Kit Set 1 /
Set 2 | Leica MP chrome 0.58X(2 parts) | Leica MP Black Lacquer 0.58x | Leica MP Black Lacquer 0.72x Standard | Leica MP 0.85x
Finder Mag. model | Leica MP Anthracite* Limited Edition Set |
Leica MP LHSA 1968~2003 Special Edition Grey Hammertone Finish (3 parts) | Brief Introduction on Leica à la carte:- Leica
MP Red
Leather 0.85 / Nappa racing Green Leather 0.58X | Others:- Visual case study on counterfeit LEICA MP
; Leica MP Prototype w/Prototype Leicavit-M; Leica MP-3 LHSA;
Leica
MP TITAN, 2007
| Leica MP Nomenclature | Leica MP Instruction manual (1MB PDF) |
Technical Specification (96k PDF)
|
Main Index Page
Leica-M Series Rangefinder camera Models
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Copyright 1998~2008, leofoo®™ All Rights reserved. MIR web development team | about this site |
Credit:- Co-developed with my web buddy Rick_Oleson. THANKS to all the contributors, in particularly
Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®; Mr. Liu
Zan of DigifanCN®, Mr. Kelvin LI & camera$@Ebay in the form of images/pictures acquiring
as well as content for their sales which had made up the basis of this visual library.
NOTE: certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official
marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by LEICA AG
over the years and/or individual contributions from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for any discrepancies that may arise from dispute except rectifying them after verification."LEICA",
"Leitz", "E.Ernst Wetzlar", "Velostigmat" & other
related trade names used herein are registered trademarks of Leica AG, SOLMS, Germany. Site made with an Apple G5 IMac. |
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