Leica Screwmount (Barnack) Cameras: Used Price Guides
Leica's screwmount cameras, also known as Barnack Leicas after the engineer Oskar Barnack, are the original 35mm Leicas, built from 1925 to 1960. They share the 39mm Leica Thread Mount (L39 or LTM) and span from the fixed-lens Leica I (Model A) through the rangefinder II, III, and best-selling IIIf to the final, most refined IIIg, alongside the finderless I-series bodies made for technical work.
These are fully mechanical cameras. Most examples that have sat unused for decades benefit from a clean, lube, and adjust, and the usual things to check are the shutter curtains, the slow speeds where fitted, the rangefinder clarity, and the body covering. Their L39 lenses still mount on modern Leica M cameras with a simple adapter, which keeps the whole system in use today. The guides below show the live used median and listing count for each model, updated daily.
Screwmount Leica Price Guides by Model
Early and viewfinder bodies
Fixed-lens and rangefinder-less bodies, scale or accessory-finder focusing.
- Leica I (Model A)Median $473 · 84 listings
- Leica StandardMedian $400 · 45 listings
Rangefinder screwmount bodies
Coupled-rangefinder bodies, from the first Leica II to the final IIIg.
- Leica II (Model D)Median $289 · 40 listings
- Leica IIfMedian $240 · 37 listings
- Leica III (Model F)Median $271 · 85 listings
- Leica IIIaMedian $233 · 54 listings
- Leica IIIbMedian $269 · 20 listings
- Leica IIIcMedian $254 · 106 listings
- Leica IIIfMedian $229 · 192 listings
- Leica IIIgMedian $618 · 77 listings
Buying a Screwmount Leica: What to Check
- Shutter curtains: the rubberized cloth dries and develops pinholes over decades; inspect both curtains in bright light for light leaks.
- Slow speeds: on bodies that have them (the III onward), the slow-speed escapement gums up from old lubricant, so test each slow speed for sticking.
- Rangefinder and finder: check the rangefinder patch has contrast and tracks focus; the separate windows on earlier bodies are often dim or hazy.
- Body covering: the vulcanite shrinks, cracks, and lifts; it is cosmetic but affects value.
- Originality and serials: verify the serial against published Leica tables, and treat military markings and gold Luxus bodies as suspect until proven, since both are heavily faked.
- Service: budget for a clean, lube, and adjust on any unserviced body, and remember finderless I-series cameras need an accessory viewfinder to use.
Screwmount Leica FAQ
What is a screwmount or Barnack Leica?
Screwmount Leicas are the original 35mm Leica cameras, made from 1925 to 1960, before the bayonet-mount M-series. They are often called Barnack Leicas after Oskar Barnack, the Leitz engineer who designed the first model. They share the 39mm Leica Thread Mount, also written L39 or LTM, and range from the fixed-lens Leica I (Model A) through the rangefinder II, III, and IIIf to the final, most refined IIIg, plus the finderless I-series technical bodies.
Which screwmount Leica should I buy first?
For most buyers the IIIf or IIIa is the sensible starting point: both are plentiful, fully capable, and far cheaper than the IIIg. Choose the IIIf if you want flash synchronization and the most modern handling of the classic bodies, or the IIIa for a simpler pre-war camera with the 1/1000 top speed. The IIIg is the best screwmount Leica but also the most expensive, while the II and III suit those who want the earliest rangefinder designs.
Do screwmount Leica lenses fit M-mount cameras?
Yes. With an inexpensive LTM-to-M adapter, 39mm screw-mount lenses mount on Leica M cameras and couple to the rangefinder for focusing, and the correct adapter also brings up the matching framelines. This is one reason the screwmount system stays popular: its lenses remain usable on modern M bodies, film and digital alike.
Are screwmount Leicas usable today?
Yes. They are fully mechanical, 35mm film is still made, and LTM lenses are still available. Most bodies that have sat unused for decades need a clean, lube, and adjust to restore accurate speeds, and the finderless I-series bodies require an accessory viewfinder to aim and focus. Once serviced, a screwmount Leica is a compact, durable film camera.
How do I avoid fakes and bad buys?
Cross-check the serial number against published Leica production tables to confirm the model and year, and be skeptical of military engravings and gold Luxus bodies, both of which are heavily faked. Inspect both shutter curtains in bright light for pinholes, test the slow speeds where fitted, and check the body covering for shrinkage. Budget for a service on any unserviced camera, and let the live prices below tell you what a given model actually sells for.