Leica Ig

Leica Ig

The Leica Ig is a 35mm screw-mount camera introduced by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in 1957. It was the final rangefinderless Leica screw-mount body and can be understood as the technical-camera counterpart to the Leica IIIg. While the IIIg included a bright-line viewfinder and coupled rangefinder, the Ig removed both systems and relied entirely on external accessories [1].

The camera was primarily intended for scientific, laboratory, copying and technical photography rather than general handheld use. It has no built-in viewfinder and no built-in rangefinder. Instead, the top plate carries two accessory shoes, allowing the user to mount an external optical finder, accessory rangefinder, microscope attachment or other Leitz technical accessory [1][2].

Mechanically, the Leica Ig is more advanced than the earlier Leica If. Unlike the If, the standard Ig includes the slow-speed dial and offers the full shutter-speed range associated with the Leica IIIg, from 1 second to 1/1000 second plus B. It also has built-in automatic flash synchronization for electronic flash and flashbulbs, making it more capable for controlled technical work than earlier rangefinderless screw-mount bodies [2][3].

The body follows the late Barnack Leica layout and uses the Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM or M39. It accepts standard screw-mount Leica lenses, although in normal use the photographer must provide a separate viewing and focusing method. Leica Wiki lists the body size as 136 × 39 × 65 mm, while Kamerastore lists the body weight as approximately 430 g [1][5].

History

Development and Launch

The Leica Ig was introduced in 1957 as the successor to the Leica If. It appeared at the end of the screw-mount Leica period, after the Leica M3 had already introduced the modern M-mount system in 1954. The Ig therefore represents a specialized late continuation of the Barnack body rather than a mainstream consumer camera [1][2].

Production Evolution

Production ran from 1957 to 1963, with most cameras produced between 1957 and 1960. Leica Wiki lists 5,968 cameras produced, while its serial table lists 6,368 assigned serial numbers. Pacific Rim Camera also gives the total production as 5,968 cameras, confirming its relatively low production compared with the IIIg and earlier screw-mount models [1][2].

Serial Number Batches

Leica Ig serial numbers are non-contiguous. Known assigned blocks include 887001 to 888000, 907001 to 910000, 924501 to 924568, 924569 to 924588, 924589 to 926000, 926201 to 926700 and 987301 to 987600. The broad range from 887001 to 987600 should therefore not be treated as a continuous production run [1][4].

Special Variants

Several special Leica Ig variants are known. Leica Wiki lists chrome, black, military, post and Canadian versions, with or without the slow-speed dial [1]. Summichronica describes the Leica Ig Special, also known as the Siemens Special, which lacked accessory shoes, flash synchronization socket, strap lugs and slow-speed dial. These were specialized technical cameras used for data-recording applications [3].

Collector Notes

The most important identification point is the absence of built-in rangefinder and viewfinder windows. A standard Leica Ig should have the larger late screw-mount body style related to the IIIg, two accessory shoes on the top plate, LTM screw mount, built-in flash synchronization and, in most examples, a front slow-speed dial [1][2].

Collectors should distinguish the Ig from the earlier If and from modified IIIg bodies. The Ig has the late IIIg-style body form but lacks the IIIg’s built-in bright-line finder and rangefinder system. The two accessory shoes, top-plate engraving, serial-number block, slow-speed dial, flash-sync details and any special-use modifications should all be checked together [1][3].

The Leica Ig is not the most convenient screw-mount Leica for general photography, but it is one of the most interesting late Barnack bodies. Its appeal comes from its low production, technical-camera role, IIIg-era shutter specification and unusual rangefinderless layout. For LeicaLensList, it should be treated as an LTM body with no built-in finder, no framelines and no viewfinder magnification.

Sources

• [1] Leica Wiki. Leica Ig. https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Leica_Ig
• [2] Pacific Rim Camera. Leica IIIg, Leica IIg and Leica Ig. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/leica3g.htm
• [3] Summichronica. Leica Ig. https://www.summichronica.com/leica-ig
• [4] Leica Wiki. Serial Numbers Leica Cameras. https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Serial_Numbers_Leica_Cameras
• [5] Kamerastore. Leica Ig, OCEGO. https://kamerastore.com