Leica IIIc

• Code names pre-war: LOOGI = LOOHW + ELMAR, LOODU = LOOHW + SOORE, LOOSB = LOOHW + XEMOO; post-war: LOOPN = LOOHW + ELMAR, LOOKX = LOOHW + SOORE, LOOIT = LOOHW + SOOIA per Farines List Note: LOOHW is the code name for the Leica IIIf body as well as IIIc depending on the date of the catalog: Leica IIIc < 1951 > Leica IIIf. As a further complication, LOOHW was also used for "30x slip-on magnifier for focusing stage" in the Leica 1984 Accessory Guide.
• Production era - 1940-1951; 133,626 cameras
• Evolution - Body was diecast and the top plate and rangefinder cover are in one piece making the camera 1/8" wider than previous versions
• Variants - Postwar version without the small step under the A-R lever; some postwar cameras were fitted with a rougher vulcanite body covering, referred to as "Sharkskin"; the first post-war group has inferior chrome plating
• Serial numbers - pre-war: 360101-397810; post-war: 400000-440000, 460001+520000, 524001-525000; 102,592 total assigned numbers 1940-1951
• Body - aluminum with chrome plated brass top plate, base plate and knobs
• Size L x W x H - 136 x 39 x 65 mm / 5.35 x 1.54 x 2.60 in
• Brochures
  • 1949 (in German)
• Forum discussion
  • JCB's IIIc