This Leica Model A, serial number 56xx, was originally manufactured in 1928 with an early Elmar lens and was later converted to a Leica Model C with a standardized flange focal distance. The tripod socket has the larger thread.
The mount of the early Elmar is engraved with a 0 mark, indicating compatibility with the standardized flange focal distance. It also has a rangefinder coupling cam, allowing rangefinder-coupled focusing not only on Barnack Leicas but even on a modern Leica M11 with an L/M adapter ring.
When originally shipped from the factory, this camera would have had a mushroom-shaped shutter release button, short knobs with fine knurling, and a bar-type locking mechanism on the baseplate. During its later conversion to a Model C, these components were also upgraded to the latest specifications of the time. The attention Leitz paid to such small details is quite remarkable.
The early Elmar features a full-rotation helicoid, no infinity lock, and a distance scale in meters. The glass was supplied by Goerz. Its optical construction of 4 elements in 3 groups remained unchanged in later versions, but the powerful, three-dimensional rendering at wide apertures is a distinctive characteristic of the early Elmar. This lens continues to have a loyal following among our customers.
We acquired this camera from a collector in a town near Wetzlar during our European buying trip in 2018, long before the COVID pandemic (!!!). You could say we found it right in Leica's backyard! Haha.
After several rounds of servicing, it is finally ready to see the light of day. This is one of those cases where our commitment to offering cameras and lenses that are genuinely ready to use led us much deeper into the process than we ever expected. Haha.
The camera shows paint loss, scuffs, and deterioration of the paint and plating in various areas. The black paint on the baseplate has developed an attractive crackled appearance with age. Now 98 years old, this camera must have captured countless memories over its long life. After several years of careful servicing, it has been refreshed and is ready to continue its life as a fully usable camera.
Both the camera body and lens were overhauled in August 2026. All controls now operate smoothly, and the viewfinder is clear and bright.
The early Elmar has also undergone a full overhaul, resulting in excellent handling. Rangefinder coupling is spot on.
The lens glass shows minor cleaning marks and some age-related discoloration, but these do not appear to affect image quality. Using a genuine FISON hood or our specially designed FB-07 hood with aperture control should help produce even better contrast and more defined images.
Test shots taken with our Leica M10-P demonstrated excellent central sharpness and solid, well-defined rendering. It is hard to believe that this lens is almost 100 years old!
Comes with the genuine Bakelite front cap.
