Leica I, Model A

OBJECT TYPE: Camera
MANUFACTURER: Ernst Leitz GmbH
NATIONALITY: German
PLACE MANUFACTURED: Germany, Wetzlar
INTRODUCTION DATE: 1925
PRODUCTION DATES: 1925-1931
FILM TYPE: 35mm rollfilm
IMAGE SIZE: 24 x 36mm
APPROXIMATE MANUFACTURED QUANTITY: 59869
SERIAL NUMBER RANGE: 131 - 60,000
SIGNIFICANT FEATURE: 1st production model
FUNCTIONAL TYPE: 35mm (other)
3 LINKED COMPONENTS:
LENS: 5cm f/3.5 Elmar UID: L533.00103
LENS: 5cm f/3.5 Anastigmat/Elmax UID: L533.00117
LENS: 5cm f/2.5 Hektor UID: L533.00118
STANDARD LENSES/SHUTTERS:
  5cm f/3.5 Leitz Anastigmat (1925), 5cm f/3.5 Elmax (1925-26)
  5cm f/3.5 Elmar (1926-31)
  5cm f/2.5 Hektor (1930-31)
INTEGRATED SHUTTER: Yes

NOTES:
  "The first commercially produced Leica model, and the first mass
  produced 35mm camera of high quality. These facts make the Leica I a
  highly sought camera among not only Leica collectors, but general
  camera collectors also. Black enameled body. Non-interchangeable 50mm
  lenses in collapsible mount with helical focus. 'Hockey stick' lens
  lock on the front of the body is the most obvious identification
  feature." (McKeown, 1992).
  variations:
  5cm f/3.5 Anastigmat: ser #131 to approx 300 (highest known #267)
  5cm f/3.5 Elmax: about ser #250-300 to 1250-1300 (produced 1925-1926)
  5cm f/3.5 Elmar about 1250-1400 to 60000 (produced 1926-1930)
  Earliest cameras have mushroom-shaped shutter release; later models
  have dimpled shutter release which accepts plunger of bridge-type
  cable release. Cameras with threaded collar shutter release were
  'upgraded' during servicing.
  Approximately 1300 Leica I Model A cameras were supplied with the 5cm
  f/2.5 Hektor lens. Many of these cameras were later upgraded by Leitz
  so it is rare to find a model in original condition.

OBJECT IDENTIFIER: L533.00003
VIDEODISC 1, FRAME NUMBER: 14

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES:
Coe, Brian. --Cameras: From Daguerreotypes to Instant Pictures.-- Gothenburg, Sweden: Nordbok, 1978. p 114.//
McKeown, Jim & McKeown, Joan. --Price Guide to Antique & Classic Cameras: 1992-1993.-- Grantsburg, WI: Centennial Photo, 1992. p 218.//
Lager, James L. --Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume I - Cameras.-- Closter, NJ: Lager Limited Editions, 1993. pp 16-25.//