Leica III Camera, 1938

German Leica III Camera, Manufactured in 1938. In Good Working Order and with Original Case

Leica III camera, manufactured in 1938 by the optical equipment company Ernst Leitz Wetzlar. This magnificent camera is a true icon of 20th-century photographic art and photojournalism. The camera is in excellent working condition, although it has not been tested with film. It comes with its original dark brown leather case and a strap for hanging it around the neck. With a simple, elegant, and functional design, this camera is one of the most famous of all time and a true milestone in terms of quality and results.

The camera body is made of silver-colored metal, with the central section covered in black leather-like material. Engraved on the top is the Leica logo with the elegant signature that typically accompanies it, followed by the name of the manufacturer: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar. To the right of this inscription, the camera's serial number is also engraved: No. 308530. The lens is a Summitar F=5 cm 1:2, with its serial number also engraved: No. 487672. The camera retains all its original parts and is in very good condition, with no rust or damage.

The leather case that comes with the camera is also original and has been preserved quite well, considering the age of the piece. The Leica brand name is an acronym for "Leitz Camera." Leitz is the surname of Ernst Leitz, a German engineer who joined the staff of the Optical Institute in Wetzlar, Germany, in 1865. In 1869, Leitz took control of the company, which was renamed the Optical Institute of Leitz. Over time, the original company came to consist of three subsidiaries: Leica Camera AG, Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Microsystems AG, dedicated respectively to the manufacture of cameras, geological research equipment, and microscopes. The original design of the Leica camera is attributed to engineer Oskar Barnack, and the Leica III model was the last for which he was entirely responsible.