Leica IIIb (1939) with Summar 5cm f/2 uncoated, fully tested and working. Hello from Japan! We provide high-quality cameras and lenses to the world. The Leica IIIb (1938-1946) is one of the most refined of the classic screw-mount Leicas, and the last major revision before the war interrupted production. Its key improvement is ergonomic: the viewfinder and rangefinder eyepieces were moved next to one another, so composing and focusing no longer meant shifting the eye across the top plate. Built to the standards that made Leitz's reputation — a fully mechanical, cloth-shutter camera capable of speeds from 1 second to 1/500 — the IIIb represents Oskar Barnack's 35mm system at maturity, and remains genuinely usable today. The Summar 5cm f/2 (1933-1940) was Leitz's first fast standard lens for the Leica and has a devoted following of its own. Uncoated and collapsible, it is prized less for clinical sharpness than for its character: a gentle glow wide open, swirling out-of-focus areas and a distinctive way with backlight that modern lenses cannot reproduce. Both body and lens use the Leica screw mount (L39), which adapts readily to today's mirrorless cameras. Important — please read carefully: Please read carefully. The Summar 5cm f/2 has a haze across the whole front element that could not be removed even after the front group was disassembled and cleaned. It is not fungus and not balsam separation, but it does lower contrast and produces a soft, glowing rendering against the light. Many photographers seek exactly this look from an uncoated Summar — but please buy the lens on that basis, not as a clean optic. The body itself is fully functional: every shutter speed from 1 second to 1/500 fires correctly, Z and T both work, the curtains show no pinholes against transmitted light, and the rangefinder aligns at infinity. Film loading and transport were verified with a real roll of film, although no test film has been shot. The top cover carries the previous owner's engraved initials "JMJ". Please review the photos before bidding. Condition: Used — Good Pre-owned, distinct signs of use or minor optical flaws Serial Number Please check the photo. Appearance Shows signs of use consistent with a camera of this age. The previous owner engraved the initials "JMJ" on the top cover. Please check the photos. Optical Condition Fungus: No Balsam separation: No Lens: The front group has been disassembled and cleaned internally, but a haze across the whole front surface remains and cannot be removed. See Important below. Functional Body serial no. 314877 (approximately 1939). Lens serial no. 388424. All fast shutter speeds (1/30 to 1/500) fire correctly. All slow shutter speeds (1/20 to 1 second) fire correctly. Z (bulb) and T (time) both operate correctly. The shutter curtains have been checked against transmitted light and show no pinholes. The rangefinder double image aligns correctly at infinity. Film advance, the rewind release lever (R), the rewind knob and the frame counter all operate correctly. Film loading and transport have been checked with an actual roll of film (no test film was shot). Lens: the collapsible barrel extends and locks, the helicoid is smooth throughout its travel, the infinity lock works, rangefinder coupling works and the aperture operates correctly. Known Issues 1. The Summar has a haze across the entire front element which could not be removed by cleaning. It reduces contrast and gives a soft rendering against the light. 2. The previous owner engraved the initials "JMJ" on the top cover. 3. No test film has been shot through the camera. Bundled Items Camera with the Summar 5cm f/2 lens and a take-up spool, as shown. Only what you can see in the pictures will be included in the package. Important Notes for Used Items As this is a used item, subtle imperfections may exist that are not individually described. Shipping We ship via either FedEx or Japan Post (ePacket), whichever suits the destination and the parcel. With Japan Post your package is handed over to the local postal carrier in your country for final delivery. We only ship to registered addresses. We ship within 3 business days after payment. Customs and Taxes Parcels are shipped DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): import VAT and any customs duties are collected by customs or the carrier on delivery, in accordance with the rules of the destination country. Where import taxes have already been collected at checkout — for example under the EU IOSS scheme for orders up to EUR 150 — there is nothing further to pay on delivery. Import charges vary from country to country, so please check the rules that apply where you live. We do not under-declare item values or mark items as "gifts." Returns and Buyer Protection Handled in accordance with Catawiki's Seller Terms. If you have any questions, please contact us before bidding. Thank you for visiting our listing. Japan has one of the world's largest used-camera markets. We appreciate your interest.