A treasure, the Leica Model B. An early model equipped with the old Compur, also known as the dial set. This particular piece is from the serial range in the 6000s, manufactured in 1928, and is one of the units from the 3rd lot numbered between 5986 and 6272. The lens features distance indicators in meters.
The Leica Model B, produced until 1941 with both new and old Compurs, saw only about 1700 units made (of which merely 638 were equipped with the old Compur!). After the introduction of the model D, Leica DII, in 1932, sales apparently dwindled.
Operating the camera reveals its challenging usability, making it clear why it didn’t sell well—a fact that brings a smile when you think about it.
The old Compur shutter features speeds from 1 second to 1/300, along with B(D) and T(Z) settings. The adorably round lens at the center is proudly engraved with the Elmar name. The film unlock button is an early B model's dimple release (the very first B models had a mushroom release). The winding and rewinding knobs are low-profile with finely detailed knurling. The bottom cover lock is similar to the early Leica Model A, employing a simple latch mechanism.
Each lever and dial attached to the old Compur carries a charmingly antique quality, adding a touch of humor to the handling, almost guaranteeing a smile.
On the bottom cover, there’s a brass plate engraved with PABLO FERRANDO MONTEVIDEO. Pablo Ferrando was the official Leica dealer located in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. He was known to be the cousin of the well-recognized Leica dealers in Argentina and Brazil, Lutz Ferrando. I learned this interesting bit of trivia from a collector in Argentina. It’s not crucial information, but it is fascinating nonetheless.
Pre-war rare Leica cameras often emerge from Argentina, which had significant ties with Germany. With Buenos Aires and Montevideo being so close geographically, the two cities' Leica dealerships, run by cousins, likely saw a substantial trade of what are now considered rare Leicas back in the day. Looking at a map of the world from the opposite side, one can’t help but revel in the romance of it all.
The camera shows overall signs of use. There are paint chips and small scratches in various places, but there are no notable large dents or deep scratches, indicating that it has been treasured appropriately. The screw for the tripod socket has been soldered with a fine-thread adapter, a bit crudely done, which is regrettable.
The camera underwent an overhaul in April 2024. Maintenance was performed on the shutter, winding, and rewinding mechanisms among others. Operating the camera for actual shooting requires quite complex handling, but it is in a usable condition. Please note that, unlike the Model A, the lens cannot be retracted.
The winding and the shutter operate independently, you need to handle film advance and shutter charging separately. To move to the next frame after taking a picture, you must press the dimple-release-like button to unlock the winding mechanism and then wind it.
The film counter features a charming motion where the needle spins around. This film counter must be set before loading the film. To set it, open the bottom cover and, while pressing the winding lock release button (dimple release), turn the sprocket gear with your index finger to set the counter. Additionally, you must dial back two frames worth of blank exposures, so set it to two frames counter-clockwise from zero.
Please be aware that various mechanisms such as the film counter and winding will not operate unless during film loading.
