This Leica Model A, originally manufactured in 1929 and equipped with an early Elmar lens, was later upgraded by Leitz to a Model DII. During the upgrade, the lens was also converted to support rangefinder coupling. The body bears a serial number in the 19000 range, and the lens helicoid is marked with the number 3. Distance markings are in meters.
At the time, Leitz reportedly had dedicated upgrade parts tailored to each model, as standard DII parts could not be directly installed into a Model A. Considering how expensive Leica cameras were back then, it's impressive how committed the company was to supporting its users.
Both body and lens are period-correct and exude the character of nearly a century of history, yet even today in the 21st century, you can still enjoy the rendering of the old Elmar on both film and digital.
There are slight scuffs on the base plate, but both the nickel plating and black paint remain well preserved, making this a very clean example. No dings or dents are present.
The piano-black gloss of the body is stunning—simply a joy to admire.
This camera was in practical use by a customer until recently, and you can rely on it with confidence. It was overhauled a few years ago, and the film advance and shutter operation feel exceptionally smooth and pleasant. The viewfinder is bright and clear, with strong contrast in the rangefinder patch.
The lens was fully overhauled in 2025. Although the construction slightly differs from other early Elmars, it has been verified as an original Elmar during disassembly. The front element has a couple of faint cleaning marks, but they will have virtually no effect on image quality.
Thanks to careful servicing, both the aperture and helicoid rings offer outstanding tactile feedback. The interior anti-reflective matte lacquer has also been beautifully reapplied, promising tighter, more refined rendering. Rangefinder coupling and focusing accuracy have been confirmed with Leica M10-P and M11.
Even after a century since its manufacture, this camera remains fully usable. The black paint DII body fits naturally in the hand, and even dry-firing the shutter is a soothing experience. Considering its age, this is an exceptionally well-preserved example.
Comes with the original Bakelite front cap.