Leitz Auction
Starting Price €6,000
Total bids: 0
Estimate
€12,000 – 14,000
€12,000 – 14,000
This item is subject to VAT at the statutory rate of the respective country of destination on hammer price and premium (full taxation), provided it remains in the EU
serial number
0083
Condition
A/B
Manufacture Year
c.1995
Product number
A03942
An exceptionally rare pre-production Leica R8, marked “0-SERIE 0083” on the base plate. The camera was produced during the development of the R8, prior to the introduction of the regular production model in 1996.
A small factory-internal label inside the film chamber bears the number 0000-0083-0057, corresponding to the 0-Series number of the camera.
The camera shows several differences from the later production R8, including a slightly different back door and viewfinder eyepiece. The removable battery compartment, which also forms the handgrip, is likewise of an early design and accepts AAA batteries, instead of the two CR2 lithium batteries used in the production R8.
The camera is accompanied by a ROM Summicron-R 2/90mm, with the lens hood and the usual external markings removed, evidently prepared for development or testing purposes.
The camera is preserved in excellent condition and good working order. An interesting and well-preserved example documenting the development of the Leica R8.
A small factory-internal label inside the film chamber bears the number 0000-0083-0057, corresponding to the 0-Series number of the camera.
The camera shows several differences from the later production R8, including a slightly different back door and viewfinder eyepiece. The removable battery compartment, which also forms the handgrip, is likewise of an early design and accepts AAA batteries, instead of the two CR2 lithium batteries used in the production R8.
The camera is accompanied by a ROM Summicron-R 2/90mm, with the lens hood and the usual external markings removed, evidently prepared for development or testing purposes.
The camera is preserved in excellent condition and good working order. An interesting and well-preserved example documenting the development of the Leica R8.