Vintage Leica M3 with Collapsible Leica Summicron L39 50mm/F2.0 Radioactive Lens

Today is a happy day as I have finally managed to get the M3 camera Body (from 1957-8) and the Leica 50mm collapsible len 1043XXX (from 1952/3). This is one of the more rare early Summicron 50mm lenses, which uses thorium and or lanthanum glass elements, giving it the slightly yellow hue. Many love the overall rendering qualities combined with being the smallest collapsed and lightest Summicron 50 len. The lens was very solidly built and tiny. This lens was full of character, the old Leica character that everybody loved

One of the challenge is to find one in good condition. I was lucky as the front len is protected by a Leica UV or IA filter. Finding a "clean" lens is very difficult but It is worth it. It was good enough for Cartier-Bresson, it is good enough for me. It was the absolute top lens of its time and the working tool of many famous top photographers.

The Leica Summicron L39 50mm was produced from 1953-1956. One of the key reason for getting the Leica M3 is because of the discretion and portability of the cameras versus the nice but attention seeking Rolleiflex.

One can see the yellow hue from the len below

The first year or so of production (below about serial number 1,050,000) emits about 20 microSieverts per hour at the front of the lens (0.2 mR/hr or 2 µSv/hr from rear of lens), while lenses made from 1956-on are inert.

  

This is Leica's first 50mm SUMMICRON, with seven elements and 10 blades. It replaces the SUMMITAR(1939-1953), which replaced the SUMMAR (1933-1939, 6 blades). The two versions differ only mechanically from each other:

1952-1956: collapsible screw mount, 216.2g, 7.625 oz., SOOIC. (228.7g, 8.065 oz. mit M-adapter.)

(Source: http://www.kenrockwell.com)

7 elements in 4 groups.

http://www.antiquecameras.net/50summicronmlenses.html

Soviet FED camera

LEICA COPY RUSSIAN "FED-3" WITH LENS INDUSTAR-26m I

The camera was launched in celebration of the 50 anniversary of Communist Revolution in 1917. 
Body has Vladimir Lenin Bas-relief and Inscription in 
Russian:"ALWAYS READY"(to burn to a fire of world revolution)" 
And Red Flag with Inscription:"USSR" - on Top.

SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Lenin
SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Revolution
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The serial production of the Soviet FED camera started in 1934 at a plant in a children labor commune in the city of Kharkov. The FED camera was named after F.E.Dzerzhinskiy, a famous Russian NKVD-KGB founder. Before the Second World War, approximately 160,650 FED cameras were produced, replicating the German Leica II. 

During the war the plant ceased operations and did not start up again until 1948. Then in 1955, the plant began producing the FED-2, an improved model of the FED camera. 

FED-3, in comparison with the FED-2, in the given camera the range of the exposures was extended. There were added 15, 8, 4, 2 and 1 seconds. The name FED 3 is engraved on the front of the camera in Russian and English. Still as always and unlike the Leica of that time the back was removable. 

Caution: The shutter must be wound first, only then can you set the correct speed. Camera was painted by Russian handmaster and it is very NICE Popular rangefinder Russian Camera.

On Jean Loup Princelle "The Autentic Guide to Russian and Soviet Cameras" has number F-170.
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Glass on lenses is clean, no fungus.
Body metal has #8565922
Comes with, lens cap with star, spool, english
manual, leather case and box.
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Technical information:
Camera Type: RF (rangefinder)
Film: 35mm
Image Size: 24x36mm
Lens: "Industar-26m" (Tesssar copy)
Focal length: 52
Relative aperture: F: 3,5
Focusing: 1M to infinite
Bayonet: M39 Leica screwmount (LTM)
Shutter speeds: 1c, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 of a second and "B".

Arte Di Mano Half Case for Leica M3

Arte Di Mano Half Case for Leica M3 

The best part of any shopping is the planning and evaluating and deciding stage. After months of reading from the various forum, I have finally decided on the Leica M3 body to be my ultimate one Leica camera, which I am planning to get it tonight. It is a 1957 camera originally M3 double stoke but during the course of usage, the previous owner has sent it back to Leica service and is now a one stroke camera.

As I am planning to use this camera for a long time, I am now looking for a nice camera case to protect and Arte Di Mano Half Case for Leica M3 has become my top choice. Buy Once, But the best you can.

https://artedimano.com/

My Leica Journey - Leica M3

After getting the Leica M6 TTL for Keith from Joe Metour HK, I have decided to embark on a journey to search for my Leica. This will enable me to have a common hobby and interest with Keith.

For the camera body, initially, I was considering the new Leica MP (price about Hk$32000) or the Leica M6 black paint millennium dragon edition (Hk$21000). For the len, I was looking at a new Leica black paint Summicron. The total costs were about Hkg $62000 or $51000, which are a lot of money and my current plan is to upgrade my condominum to a loft type.

After doing much reading from the internet forum, i have decided to look for a Leica M3 Single stroke instead owing to the historical significance of M3 and of course the price versus values (A good M3 costs round Hk$7800，which is more than 1/2 price of the M6 and 1/3 the price of the Leica MP). After much consideration, I have decided that my budget for both Leica body and lens should not exceed HK$16000.

Following which, I have to decide on which camera lens to get. My choices are:

1. Leica Sumitar f2 (which need an adaptar for M3) or

2. Leica Summicron L39 collapsible (which need an adaptor for M3) or

3. Leica Summicron f2 version 2 Rigid

I was hoping to get the 1. Leica Sumitar but I couldn't meet the buyer owing to my trip back to Singapore for CNY 2 weeks ago. After my  return, the seller has already sold it.

As such, it has prompted me to go back to see which lens to get next. After much reading, it seems that the Leica Summicron Rigid is my ideal len.

After checking, only the collapsible radioactive is available.

George Harrison

Myanmar

Myanmar (Burmese pronunciation: [mjəmà]),^[ officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and formerly known as Burma, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. Myanmar is bordered by India and Bangladesh to its west, Thailand and Laos to its east and People's Republic of China to its north and northeast. To its south, about one third of Myanmar's total perimeter of 5,876 km (3,651 mi) forms an uninterrupted coastline of 1,930 km (1,200 mi) along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. 

James Bond camera