Leica R3 Prototyp mit Vario-Elmar-R 1:4.5/80-200 mm Prototyp / Leica R3 Prototype with Vario-Elmar-R 80-200 mm f/4.5 Prototype

Experimental Leica R3. With red "£eitz WETZLAR" logo on front and prototype serial number 51851806 on the bottomplate. The first three digits "518" indicate the product category (R-cameras), the second three digits "518" indicate the project within this category (R3) and the last two digits "06" indicate the serial number of the lens. Other known project numbers are 517 (R-lenses) and 500 (M-lenses). With an early experimental version of the first Vario-Elmar-R 80-200 mm f/4.5. Prototype serial number 0001354, a 3-cam version already. The outer lens mount appears still very similar to the original Minolta design. The barrel engraved "for LEITZ - LEICAFLEX". The optics with minimal dust inclusions and slight haze. Included: Leitz advertising photo for the introduction of the Leica R3 in August 1976 - interestingly enough, it is a camera with such a "£eitz WETZLAR" logo, shown with a Summicron-R 50 mm f/2 prototype lens with number 0001371.