What kind of Leica camera is this?

Fruitbat

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Sep 24, 2006
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I would like to ask the experts about something I found. It's a "Leica MD1136 106" From the research I've done it looks like it was used in doctor's office, labs, etc. I'm guessing it's from the 1960s. It came with a wooden box with lenes, but not SLR type lenes. More like magnifying glass type of lenes. There was also a baffel and some other attachments.
I was wondering if I'm right and what it's worth?
 

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Leica's were the top end of the 35 mm world in their day, along with Hasselblad were the camera to own if you were any kind of a camera geek. I have no idea what your find is worth but I would be willing to bet to the right crowd it would bring good money at auction.
 

What you have there is a circa 1965 Leica MD series laboratory camera. I can't see the front or back but it shouldn't have a rangefinder or viewfinder. They were used in laboratory settings such as Microscope photos. I'm not sure of the value as alot depends on condition and rarity. I imagine what you have would appeal to multiple collectors and Leica's are one of the hottest camera collectables on the planet with a fierce following. This set would appeal to both medical/laboratory collectors as well as general leica collectors. I'd be curious to see an auction estimate as well but you're at the mercy of the market as always. Really nice!
 

Could not find that specific item on ebay. And you know what thay say, if it is not listed on ebay, must be rare. Great find.
 

What you have there is a circa 1965 Leica MD series laboratory camera. I can't see the front or back but it shouldn't have a rangefinder or viewfinder. They were used in laboratory settings such as Microscope photos. I'm not sure of the value as alot depends on condition and rarity. I imagine what you have would appeal to multiple collectors and Leica's are one of the hottest camera collectables on the planet with a fierce following. This set would appeal to both medical/laboratory collectors as well as general leica collectors. I'd be curious to see an auction estimate as well but you're at the mercy of the market as always. Really nice!
It does not have a viewfinder, which was something I didn't notice until I got home with it. I know that Leica cameras are highly collectible. I figured I would at least get my $25 investment back and maybe a little more.
I plan to list it on Feebay in about a week or so. I'll post the final total when it's over.
Any more info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
 

According to my research, Your specific camera S/N 1136106 was produced in 1965 in a production batch of 500 cameras. A total of 3316 MD's we're produced between 1963 and 1966 and assigned S/N's 1102501 through 1160820. It appears it is a rare camera. The next model in that line was an MDa which had a production run of 14,500. The MD has no viewfinder or rangefinder. While you can use it for its original purpose with a microscope or telescope, the more contemporary use would be with an ultra-wide angle lens such as the new Voigtlander 12mm, 15mm, or 21mm lenses. These lenses don't need to be rangefinder focused. There's a small slit on the bottom plate that allows you to insert a thin transparent plastic information sheet before exposure. If you're photographing slides and want to record what you're documenting, you can write in on the info sheet and insert it
It was manufactured by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in Germany, has a Horizontal cloth focal plane (1 sec - 1/1000 sec shutter speed and flash syncs @ (1/50sec)
External cold shoe M- and X- flash cable connector on rear. It uses standard 35mm film and it's physical specs are Body: 138mm x 77mm x 36mm; 595g.
I tracked down camera S/N 1136470 which was 364 cameras after your camera's production. It appears to have been sold in 1998 by Christie's of London for $1874 American. I included a link to the auction below. I'd say your $25 investment was VERY good! Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Leica MD no. 1136470 | Christie's

It appears you may have some winners in the lenses as well. For the one you photographed holding, I found the following comp on ebay. By the way, The leitz summar lens you have is attached to a summar adaptor. It's the outer ring imprinted with 24.35.42u.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ernst-Leitz...=250987422577&ps=63&clkid=7560105104926289952

And again here's another link to a page that sells summar lenses like your for $300-400. They have alot of lenses listed on the page along with enlargers, copy systems and such. Just scroll down to find your lens style.
http://www.glennview.com/copy.htm
 

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According to my research, Your specific camera S/N 1136106 was produced in 1965 in a production batch of 500 cameras. A total of 3316 MD's we're produced between 1963 and 1966 and assigned S/N's 1102501 through 1160820. It appears it is a rare camera. The next model in that line was an MDa which had a production run of 14,500. The MD has no viewfinder or rangefinder. While you can use it for its original purpose with a microscope or telescope, the more contemporary use would be with an ultra-wide angle lens such as the new Voigtlander 12mm, 15mm, or 21mm lenses. These lenses don't need to be rangefinder focused. There's a small slit on the bottom plate that allows you to insert a thin transparent plastic information sheet before exposure. If you're photographing slides and want to record what you're documenting, you can write in on the info sheet and insert it
It was manufactured by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in Germany, has a Horizontal cloth focal plane (1 sec - 1/1000 sec shutter speed and flash syncs @ (1/50sec)
External cold shoe M- and X- flash cable connector on rear. It uses standard 35mm film and it's physical specs are Body: 138mm x 77mm x 36mm; 595g.
I tracked down camera S/N 1136470 which was 364 cameras after your camera's production. It appears to have been sold in 1998 by Christie's of London for $1874 American. I included a link to the auction below. I'd say your $25 investment was VERY good! Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Leica MD no. 1136470 | Christie's

It appears you may have some winners in the lenses as well. For the one you photographed holding, I found the following comp on ebay. By the way, The leitz summar lens you have is attached to a summar adaptor. It's the outer ring imprinted with 24.35.42u.50
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Summar 24mm lens for micro work | eBay

And again here's another link to a page that sells summar lenses like your for $300-400. They have alot of lenses listed on the page along with enlargers, copy systems and such. Just scroll down to find your lens style.
copy.htm

Hmmm, I wonder if I should send pics to Christie's foran appraisal? Seems like there aren't many of these boxes around.


BTW: WOW!!! Thanks for the info!!!!
 

As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Hmmm, I wonder if I should send pics to Christie's foran appraisal? Seems like there aren't many of these boxes around.


BTW: WOW!!! Thanks for the info!!!!

Eh yeah forget freebay and ask Christies, if you E bay it let it run for a spell to get maximum exposure.
 

Yeah, I think I'll send it to Christie's. I see on their website that they give free appraisals. If nothing else I'll find out what it's worth. But it will take 4-6 weeks to hear.
 

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