Leica 72

Leica 72

The Leica 72 is a rare Leica screw-mount rangefinder camera made for the 18 × 24 mm half-frame format. Unlike normal Leica 35mm cameras, which expose a 24 × 36 mm frame, the Leica 72 exposes half the frame width, allowing approximately 72 exposures on a standard 36-exposure roll of 35mm film [1][2].

The camera uses the Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM, M39 or Leica screw mount. It accepts Leica screw-mount lenses and compatible 39mm screw-mount rangefinder lenses [1][2].

The Leica 72 is based on a modified Leica screw-mount body. Pacific Rim Camera describes it as based on the Leica IIIa body, with the film gate, counter, viewfinder and winding mechanism modified for the 18 × 24 mm format. Flash synchronization from the IIIf was also added [2].

The camera is identified by the 18 × 24 engraving on the top of the rangefinder cover, just above the serial number. This marking is one of the most important visual identifiers because the body otherwise resembles a late Leica screw-mount rangefinder [2].

The Leica 72 has a coupled rangefinder, a separate optical viewfinder, a horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter and the standard Leica screw-mount lens interface. The finder is adapted to the half-frame format, and the film transport advances the film by half the normal 35mm frame width.

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History

Development and Purpose

The Leica 72 was created for users who wanted more exposures from a standard roll of film. The 18 × 24 mm format doubles the number of images available from the same film length, making it useful for documentation, archival work, scientific recording and economical shooting [1][2].

The model name 72 refers directly to the number of frames obtainable from a normal 36-exposure roll. Pacific Rim Camera describes the Leica 72 as the only Leica with the 18 × 24 mm image size, while Leica Wiki lists it as a special model produced in very small numbers [1][2].

Production

Leica Wiki lists the Leica 72 production era as 1957–1963, with approximately 183 cameras made. The same reference divides production into about 150 Midland cameras and 33 Wetzlar cameras [1].

LFI also describes the Leica 72 as a very small production run and notes that reportedly around 200 models were manufactured between 1957 and 1963. Because collector sources differ slightly on totals, the safest wording is that production was approximately 183 to 200 cameras [1][3].

Wetzlar and Midland Versions

The Leica 72 exists in both Wetzlar and Midland versions. Leica Wiki lists Wetzlar and Canadian variants, and Pacific Rim notes that the camera was made in very small numbers. Midland examples are often seen with ELC markings, while Wetzlar examples may be associated with ELW markings [1][2].

Finish, factory origin and top-plate details should be treated as variant metadata rather than separate base models, unless the database intentionally separates Wetzlar and Midland versions.

Serial Number Notes

Serial numbers should be handled carefully. Leica Wiki lists Leica 72 serial information around 357151–357183 for Wetzlar production and a Canadian / Midland group beginning in the 3573xx range. Other collector references and auction descriptions also place Midland examples in the 3573xx range [1][4].

For a clean database field, the safest wording is 357151 to approximately 357450, documented Wetzlar and Midland half-frame batches, exact boundaries vary by source. This avoids overstating the serial range as one simple continuous production block.

Relationship to Leica IIIa and IIIf

The Leica 72 should not be treated as a normal Leica IIIa or IIIf. It shares much of the late screw-mount Leica body concept, but it has a modified film gate, modified film advance, modified counter and half-frame finder system [2].

Pacific Rim Camera describes the body basis as IIIa, with IIIf-style flash synchronization added. This makes the Leica 72 mechanically related to the late Barnack Leica family, but its half-frame construction makes it a separate model [2].

Format and Handling

The 18 × 24 mm frame is vertical when the camera is held horizontally. This is the opposite of normal 24 × 36 mm Leica photography, where the horizontal camera position gives a horizontal frame. Users who want a horizontal half-frame image must rotate the camera vertically.

This changes the shooting experience and is one reason the Leica 72 is more than a simple serial-number variant. The entire viewing, framing and film transport system is adapted to the smaller frame.

Identification

The Leica 72 is identified by its LTM screw mount, Barnack-style Leica rangefinder body, half-frame film gate, half-frame frame counter, modified viewfinder, 18 × 24 top engraving and serial numbers within documented Leica 72 ranges.

Common listing names include Leica 72, Leica 18x24, Leica 72 Midland, Leica 72 Wetzlar, Leitz 72, Leica half-frame, Leica 72 18 × 24 and Leica 72 ELC. These should point to the same base model, with Wetzlar, Midland, finish and provenance stored as variant metadata.

Collector Notes

The Leica 72 is one of the rarest regular-production Leica screw-mount cameras. Its appeal comes from its very low production, unusual half-frame format, special top engraving and the fact that it is the only Leica production body commonly associated with the 18 × 24 mm half-frame format.

Collectors should check the top-plate 18 × 24 engraving, serial number, viewfinder mask, film gate, frame counter, film advance, rangefinder alignment, shutter operation, flash-sync details, factory origin and signs of conversion.

Because the Leica 72 is very valuable, later conversions and altered cameras should be treated cautiously. A normal Leica IIIa or IIIf converted to half-frame should not automatically be treated as an original Leica 72.

The Leica 72 should be treated as a separate LTM film camera because its 18 × 24 mm half-frame format, 72-exposure transport system, modified viewfinder and dedicated production history distinguish it from ordinary Leica screw-mount rangefinders.

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Sources

• [1] Leica Wiki. Leica 72. https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Leica_72
• [2] Pacific Rim Camera. Leica 72. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/leica72.htm
• [3] LFI. Leica 72. https://lfi-online.de/en/stories/leica-72-18987.html
• [4] Leitz Auction. Leica 72 18x24 Midland. https://www.leitz-auction.com/de/Leica-72-18x24-Midland/AI-34-37114
• [5] Summichronica. Half-Format Leica and Leica 72. https://www.summichronica.com/leica-72