The Witness, a Leica copy camera sold by Ilford in the UK, was manufactured around 1952 and is considered a rare camera with fewer than 350 units produced. The production was handled by Peto Scott in the UK. Among the numerous Leica copies from past to present, the Witness stands out with its exceptional design. The Witness logo is also superb, so much so that it makes you want to create a T-shirt with it.
Initially, the Witness was supposed to be equipped with a Daron 50mm f2.9 lens as standard, but it was deemed too mediocre in terms of specifications. As a result, the large-aperture Dallmeyer Super-Six 2inch f1.9 lens was adopted instead. This 4-group 6-element double Gauss lens was highly regarded for its performance both then and now.
The Witness features a dedicated bayonet mount but is also compatible with Leica screw mounts, allowing various L-mount lenses to be attached. Additionally, the Super-Six 2inch lens can be used on various Leica bodies by simply removing a small screw on the mount. The Super-Six lens has a rangefinder coupling for distances as close as 3 feet (approximately 1 meter). Beyond that, by pressing a button on the focusing lever to bypass the stopper, it can achieve non-coupled close focusing down to 1.8 feet. A rare gem.
There are minor scuffs and scratches, slight paint wear on the black finish, and a very small ding on the front corner near the center of the top cover. However, this Witness is in remarkably good condition. The lens exterior is also quite clean.
Both the body and the lens were overhauled in June 2024. All parts are functioning correctly, and the operation feels smooth. The viewfinder image is also clear.
While the lens shows the typical coating deterioration common to Super-Six lenses and has very slight haze around the edges of the front and middle elements that could not be completely removed during cleaning, this should not affect image quality. The results of the test shots were excellent. Please take a look at the sample photos.
The original front lens cap is included. A generic spool is set in the body, but the original spool, although deformed and unusable, is also included as a reference.
