36 - Leica | IIIf Midland-Ontario

Leica | IIIf Midland-Ontario Estimate: €5,000–6,000 Year: 1953 Serial No.: 684742 Condition: B/A English: Very rare Leica IIIf body with self-timer in perfect, original condition; top plate engraved “Ernst Leitz Canada Limited Midland Ontario,” with Midland Summarit 1.5/5 cm no. 1053372, cap. See Lager, Vol. I, p. 69, for camera No. 684768. In 1952, Guenther Leitz founded the Leitz plant in Midland, Ontario (Canada). What was initially planned as a plant for assembling cameras and lenses from parts manufactured in Wetzlar for the U.S. market soon evolved into a high-tech center with its own research and development department. Particularly noteworthy is the Canadian Leitz lens design department led by Dr. Walter Mandler. In total, more than 5,000 units of the Leica IIIf were produced at the Canadian plant, but only about 200 examples bear the “Canada” engraving. German: Very rare Leica IIIf body with self-timer in perfect original condition. Top cap engraved with “Ernst Leitz Canada Limited Midland Ontario,” with a Midland Summarit 1.5/5 cm No. 1053372 and lens cap. References: See Lager, Vol. I, p. 69, Camera No. 684768. In 1952, Günther Leitz founded Leitz-Werke in Midland, Ontario (Canada). Initially planned as an assembly plant for cameras and lenses made from components from Wetzlar for the U.S. market, the company quickly developed into a high-tech center with its own research and development department. Of particular note is the Canadian Leitz lens development program under Dr. Walter Mandler. In total, approximately 5,000 Leica IIIf cameras were manufactured at the Canadian plant, but only about 200 of them bear the “Canada” engraving.