The Leica IIIb
camera, was introduced in 1938; the first issue bearing the serial number
240001. Three batches were produced for a total of 32705 issues ending in 1948.
Some cameras were delivered to German military forces during the WW II.
The Leica IIIb camera is the last Leica with a body length of 133mm, 3mm less
than the Leica IIIc and its successors.
Very similar to its predecessor the IIIa, the IIIb incorporates some improvements. The rangefinder and viewfinder eyepieces are located immediately adjacent to each other. The eyesight correction lever is coaxial to the rewind knob
The accessory
shoe now has two springs incorporated and is fixed to the camera body by four
screws. All other details are identical to the IIIa
The catalogue code word was ATOOH.
For
illustration, a Leica IIIb camera, 1939 issued,
with Elmar 3.5/50 chrome and FISON sunshade, accompanied by two Summitar 2/50,
SOORE one with dome shaped iris and UV
filter, second with flat shaped iris and
Yellow filter with red box. The barn door sunshade clamp on model
for Summitar, SOOPD.
Eveready case and Leica catalogs from
the 30’ies.
|