Description
The Leica M1 was introduced in 1959 and is technically based on the Leica M2. However, since the camera did not have a rangefinder and was only equipped with the frame lines for 35mm and 50mm, the main application area was in scientific-technical and medical photography. There, the Leica M1 was often used with the Visoflex mirror housing or with reproduction equipment.
Since the Leica M1 was significantly cheaper than a Leica M3 was the camera partly also as a second device for wide-angle lenses used.
As with the Leica M2, the Leica M1 has a variant with a button for the rewind release. These so-called "press button" models are very rare, since only 1,200 pieces were produced in this form.
Another rare version are the Leica M1 manufactured for the German Bundeswehr with a viewfinder frame for 50mm and 135mm lenses. The cameras are olive green painted and have silver controls.
Offered is a Leica M1 in silver chrome finish from the year of 1959. The camera is in unchanged original condition. It belongs to the relatively small number of M1 models with rewind release button.
The above-average condition is worth mentioning. This M1 is classified as very good to mint from both a cosmetic and technical point of view. Considering the main application area, such a state is remarkable!
Total produktion: approx. 9.442 units, of these only 1.200 Press Button!
Rarity: R6
Rarity forecast: R6
