Leica i

In 1913, Oscar Barnack , an employee of Leitz, designed a camera designed for shooting on a perforated 35 mm film , widely used in cinema . A distinctive feature is the doubled frame size (24 × 36 mm versus 24 × 18) and a focal curtain-slot photographic shutter . ^[2] For model I, special two-cylinder cartridges were produced that were charged with film from a roll under inactive lighting or in the dark. The cassettes produced for the second model had a design that has been used to this day, but they do not fit the first model ^[1] .

Oscar Barnach developed two prototypes of the camera (made in small quantities). The first prototype is known as "Ur-Leica", made 25 copies. The second prototype “Prototyp I” or “Leica 0” apparently has not survived to this day (a modern replica has been released). ^{[3] [4] [5]}

• 

  Ur-Leica, 1913

• 

  Leica 0, a modern replica.

Since 1925, mass production of the Leica IA model has begun. 58735 copies released. ^[6]

• The type of photographic material used is a 35 mm film in cassettes.
• Frame size 24 × 36 mm.
• The body is metal.
• Platoon shutter and film rewind combined head.
• Automatic frame counter with manual setting of the first frame.
• Rewind film with a cylindrical head.
• The lens is not removable.
  • The largest number of devices released with a tube (folding) lens Leitz Elmar 3,5 / 50. Anastigmat, Elmax or Hektor lenses were also installed.
• The viewfinder is optical parallax .
• Photographic shutter - mechanical focal with fabric curtains, with horizontal movement of the curtains.
• Shutter speeds from 1/20 to 1/500 s and “ B (Z) ”.
• There is no sync contact .
• Clip for attaching a removable non - conjugate range finder (telemeter).
• No self - timer .

In addition to the Leica IA camera, models with other letter indices were produced.

Compur Leica (model B)

In 1928 - 1941, the Compur Leica (model B) model was produced with a central two-leaf photographic shutter . 1072 copies were produced. ^[7]

Leica I (model C)

In 1930 - 1933, the Leica I (model C) was produced with the possibility of replacing the lens (with a threaded mount M39 × 1 ). Unlike the Leica Standard model, the working distance was not standardized (28.8 mm), lens alignment was required. 10226 copies produced. ^[eight]

Cameras similar to Leica III

In the post-war years, cameras were produced that were similar to the Leica III models, intended for use with the Leica Visoflex single-lens reflex unit . The rangefinder and the viewfinder were missing, the lenses are interchangeable, with a threaded mount M39 × 1 / 28.8 . Two clips - one for the removable rangefinder, the other for the external viewfinder.

• Leica Ic ( 1949 - 1952 ). 12013 copies produced. ^[9]

• Leica If ( 1952 - 1957 ). 15786 copies produced. ^[ten]

• Leica Ig ( 1957-1963 ). 5968 copies produced. ^[eleven]

The latest model was the only threaded "Watering Can", equipped with a logo on the front wall of the case.

• D. Bunimovich. “Watering Can” (Russian) // “ Soviet Photo ”: magazine. - 1934. - No. 3 . - S. 36-39 . - ISSN 0371-4284 .

• Camerapedia Leica A
• Camerapedia Leica C