Leica Standard (E)
the birth of 35mm photography
The Leica Standard (Model E) was the successor to the Model C, which was arguably the first versatile Leica. Earlier Leica's and early Model C versions didn't have a standardised distance between the lens mount flange and the film plane due to variances in the production. Other small operational changes were an extendable rewind knob for easier operation.
This meant in practice that each lens had to be adjusted to work correctly on each body, therefore a lens from one more than likely wouldn't work on that of another.
Later in the Model C production had a 'O' stamped at the 12' O'clock position on the lens mounting flange to indicate that it had a now standard distance of 28.8mm between the flange and film plane. Since then every Leica lens would work on practically any Leica, that is with some small exceptions.
Earlier models were black enamel with later models mostly being chrome plated. It is now vary rare to come across a Model E in very good condition. One reason is due to age, over 70 years the other reason is the upgradability of Leica's at the time.
You could send in your Model E and have it updated by Leitz to include a coupled range finder like the model II or even flash synchronisation.
So a model in unmodified and nice condition such as this is a rarity.
Pictured above is a chrome model E, produced in 1938 fitted with an Elmar 5cm lens. the original order code would have been AROOG CHROM, the lens here however is a late model'red scale' Elmar from 1956.
Designed by Oskar Barnack and keeping to his ideals of a compact high quality camera, it is still capable of producing very fine images today.
The Model E really represents raw photography, much like a large format camera nothing happens automatically; you have to do everything manually, the range finder isn't coupled nor does it offer any parallax correction. You even have to reset the frame counter every time you reload a film.
As to focussing, you can either guess distance and scale focus, or you can attach an external rangefinder, such as a FOKOS pictured below, but then you still have to read the distance of the rangefinder and the focus the lens accordingly.
It isn't a quick camera to use, certainly not an everyday camera, however it is a very fun and raw camera to use.
Sutton Field
Leica Standard; Elmar 5cm with FIRHE yellow filter