Leica III C – 35mm Rangefinder Camera

Leica IIIc – 35mm Rangefinder Camera 

Marking: Leica D.R.P. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar
Condition: Used – Good Condition

The Leica IIIc, serial number 466960, was manufactured by Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar in 1948, shortly after World War II. The “D.R.P.” marking stands for Deutsches Reichspatent, indicating that the camera design was patented in pre-war Germany.

The IIIc was an important model in Leica’s history, introducing a die-cast upper body (instead of stamped metal), and it featured an integrated rangefinder/viewfinder housing—marking a structural improvement over earlier Leica models like the IIIa.

It uses the Leica Thread Mount (LTM/M39) and is compatible with a wide range of classic lenses from Leitz, Canon, Nikkor, and Voigtländer, making it both collectible and usable.

Key Features

• Model: Leica IIIc

• Production Year: 1948

• Film Format: 35mm (24×36mm frame)

• Lens Mount: Leica Thread Mount (LTM/M39)

• Shutter: Cloth focal-plane shutter, 1s to 1/1000s (split dial with separate slow-speed dial)

• Viewfinder: Separate rangefinder and viewfinder windows

• Rangefinder: Coupled, split-image

• Flash Sync: Not standard on early IIIc models (later added to IIIf)

• Self-Timer: Not included on IIIc

• Construction: Chrome-plated brass with vulcanite covering

• Weight: Approx. 420g (body only)

What’s Included

• Leica IIIc camera body (Serial No. 466960)

• Body cap

• Leather case 

Condition (based on standard description for this model)

Used – Good condition

• Shutter: Fires across speeds (accuracy may vary without recent CLA)

• Viewfinder/Rangefinder: Clear; patch visible and aligned

• Film Advance & Rewind: Functional

• Cosmetics: Typical wear for age; vulcanite may have minor lifting or cracks

• Engravings: Crisp top-plate markings including Leica D.R.P. Ernst Leitz Wetzlar