Leica I (Model A)
date: label: Date made
content: 1924-1930
label: Date made
content: 1940
name: label: bequest
content: Estate of Carolyn H. Edwards
label: maker
content: Ernst Leitz
label: maker
content: Leica
notes: label: Description
content: This was the first kit sold by Leitz.
label: Description
content: The kit consists of a Leica 1(A) camera (Serial no. 4495) with 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens and lens cap, a small dial rangefinder, two reloadable film cassettes in case, and a brown leather case to hold all the items. Model 1(A) Leicas were not fitted with a rangefinder for focusing, so from the very beginning Leitz (the manufacturer) sold an accessory rangefinder that fitted into the camera shoe. The rangefinder in this kit was the first design type sold by Leitz in 1925.
label: Description
content: The kit also includes a small tubular case that contains two 35mm film cassettes. In the early Leica days preloaded 35mm film cassettes were not available and the camera users had to load their own cassettes from bulk film. From the beginning 36 exposures was the standard length of film. This kit would enable the user to shoot 72 exposures before resorting to a darkroom for reloading.
label: Description
content: The whole kit fits into a custom leather case in excellent condition.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: Germany: Hesse, Wetzlar
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Photographic History
label: See more items in
content: Photography
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: PG.71.099.01
label: accession number
content: 296611
label: catalog number
content: 71.099.01
label: serial number
content: 4495
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Camera
label: Other Terms
content: Camera; Rollfilm; Hand; Miniature
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: glass (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 2 1/2 in x 5 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in; 6.35 cm x 13.335 cm x 6.35 cm