Gamma III – Italian Air Force Version
Fitted with a French-made Som Berthiot lens. The top cover is engraved with AERONAUTICA MILITARE, and the lens barrel base is marked with “A.M.” The Type III was manufactured around 1950–1951.
The Gamma is a beautifully styled Italian-made Leica copy with highly unique mechanisms, but it is unfortunately known for its poor manufacturing precision, making fully functional units extremely rare today.
This unit is the final model, the Type III, which adopted the Leica screw mount. The Type I featured a proprietary bayonet mount, while the Type II used the Leica screw mount but lacked slow shutter speeds. The Type III retained the Leica L mount while adding a slow-speed mechanism. It is said that total production across all Gamma models (Type I to III) was just over 2,000 units, with Type III accounting for approximately 800–1,000 of those.
Gamma cameras feature a double-magazine system (compatible with film cartridges) and do not have a rewind knob. The baseplate removes from the back, similar to the Rollei 35, Contax I, and Voigtländer Vitessa. Because it lacks a rewind function, film must be cut with a film cutter after shooting.
The shutter curtain is metal and round in shape. The rangefinder roller is positioned below the lens mount, but since it uses the Leica L mount, a wide range of lenses can be enjoyed. Though its appearance resembles a Leica, it is unlike any other Leica copy ever made, brimming with distinctive Italian character.
A variety of attractive interchangeable lenses were produced for the Gamma system, including the Koristka Victor 55mm, Officine Galileo, Som Berthiot, and Angenieux lenses in 50mm and 90mm focal lengths.
This unit comes with a rare Som Berthiot 50mm f/2.8 lens, featuring a 3-group, 4-element optical design. Angenieux also supplied a 50mm f/2.9 lens for the Gamma, which closely resembles this Berthiot lens in appearance.
A true rarity.
A Rare Return After 20 Years! This particular Gamma III was originally acquired in the early 2000s from a collector in Northern Italy. After being lovingly cared for by one of our customers, it has made its way back to our shop after two decades. Welcome home!
The baseplate shows considerable scuffing, but the top plate and other exterior parts are relatively clean, with no noticeable dings or dents.
Both the body and lens underwent a full overhaul in April 2025.
The Gamma is well-known as a notoriously difficult camera to service, but this one is currently in smooth working condition. The shutter curtain, made of heavy metal plates, travels horizontally, so the 1/1000s setting functions at about 1/400s — likely not far off from its original performance. The viewfinder prism shows signs of desilvering, making the rangefinder patch a bit faint, but it’s still usable for shooting. By Gamma standards, this is a very well-operating example.
That said, due to inherent precision issues with the original build quality, this camera isn't as reliable as a Leica or high-grade Japanese Leica copy — so it's not recommended for heavy, everyday use 😅
The rangefinder coupling between the Gamma body and the attached Som Berthiot lens works well. However, when using other L-mount lenses, some may not couple properly or may fit tightly depending on the lens.
The included Som Berthiot 50mm f/2.8 features beautiful blue coatings and can be used without issue on other Leica bodies, including digital M models. The lens shows some light cleaning marks, minor coating wear, and a trace of fungus residue near the edge of an inner element, but it should not progress further. Image quality remains very good — please check out our sample images.
A true mechanical curiosity for the enthusiast.
Fully serviced and ready to shoot with confidence — or perfect as a unique addition to your collection.
