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Leica "O" Replica


dkCambridgeshire

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No pictures yet as the light was too poor this afternoon but an ex demo Leica "O" Replica arrived today. Build quality is exemplorary; operation is very idiosyncratic and the ergonomics border on masochism ... but I love the camera and look forward to putting a few films through it. One reason for buying is to try the recomputed Anastigmat lens. Another reason is that the price was right ie Leica camera plus lens for less than the price of an equivalent quality Leica lens.

 

So how to use it?

 

Not by looking through the folding cross hair viewfinder because holding the camera so far away from the eye is too uncomfortable.

 

Will be using an optical viewfinder in the accessory shoe ... the SBOOI /12015 50mm finder fits OK.

 

And because my memory can be fallible the shutter blinds' gap widths need an easy method of conversion to actual shutter speeds.

 

Problem solved by writing the 5 gap widths and their corresponding speeds onto a small piece of thin card - cut small enough to slide/fit under the folded viewfinder window.

 

Unfortunately the lens needs capping every time the blinds' gap is altered and also throughout the subsequent remaining wind-on to fully cock the shutter. But the lens cap on a string is just too slow, distracting and fiddly. Also, I prefer to use a lens hood (the adjustable FIKUS hood fits nicely and is also quite deep) and trying to insert the cap through the hood makes capping more cumbersome.

 

No problem ... forget the lens cap on a string ... just use the palm of the hand cupped over the hood ... it is a lot quicker and the "feel" of my palm against the hood tells me it is light tight.

 

And the lens' aperture tab is easily accessible through the hood

 

This is not the way the camera is meant to be used but if it gets results then why not?

:):)

 

There is another reason why I want to use it ... images will be compared to those obtained with these cameras ...

 

DSCF0379.jpg

 

... which hopefully will be the subject of another thread

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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Hi Dunk,

 

Thanks for sharing this lovely picture! Mmmm...

 

I have also been thinking about getting a 0 replica and there is one for sale over here but I have not decided yet. What would you say is a fair price to pay these days?

 

Best,

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Hi Dunk,

 

Thanks for sharing this lovely picture! Mmmm...

 

I have also been thinking about getting a 0 replica and there is one for sale over here but I have not decided yet. What would you say is a fair price to pay these days?

 

Best,

 

Hi Gunnar, I paid £545 for the "O" Replica ... bought 'ex demo' from Photo Design Studio a UK Leica AD http://www.photodesignstudio.co.uk/pdf/advert.pdf... which is a very fair price. The dealer advised me it is a Leica UK [ie Milton Keynes] 'ex demo' item and it had been displayed at their exhibitions. The AD also had another "O" advertised described as "Mint" which has sold this week for £725. And there was an "O" on Ebay recently which sold for £560 LEICA O Serie CLASSIC COLLECTABLE CAMERA 10500 10 500 on eBay, also 35mm Cameras, Vintage Cameras, Vintage Photography, Photography (end time 05-Oct-08 16:54:08 BST) ... it attracted 11 bids from 8 bidders

 

Seems some people like them ... but others find them too idiosyncratic. The build quality is absolutely superb. At the price I paid the lens alone is worth it regardless of how fiddly the camera is in operation.

 

I have seen others advertised by Leica ADs at discount but not recently. Ffordes currently has some Oscar Barnack "Editions" cameras in their new stock but they have the WEISO type finders instead of the cross-hair type on the first "O" replica ... the OB "Editions" are more expensive (£1725 [one on offer] and £1990) because they have a limited edition Oscar Barnack print included made from an original OB negative.

 

Might be worth setting up a search on Ebay in case any more "O" cameras are offered.

 

If I see any at other dealers I'll contact you. The light is a bit better today so hope to post some pictures of mine later with the hood and the viewfinder attached.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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Here's a photo essay for the Leica "O" ... this was originally prepared for the photo section of a non-camera forum so please excuse any rather obvious terminology and historical information:

 

Prior to production of the first Leica I cameras in 1925 there were 34 pre production prototypes made by Oscar Barnack ie three "UR" models in 1913 and thirty one "O" models also known as the "Null Series" in 1923/24. Oscar Barnack's objective had been to create a small, high quality lightweight pocketable camera to utilize available cine film stock. He succeeded and the resultant photographs sufficiently impressed his employer Ernst Leitz II for him to say "We will build Barnack's camera" - against the wishes of his doubting board members. 'Optiisches Institut von Ernst Leitz' thus diversified its optical production and the Leica camera legend was born. Mention must also be made of Professor Max Berek who designed the original Leitz 50mm f3.5 Anastigmat 4 element lens.

 

The "O" prototype with its collapsable lens thus has a very special place in the history of 35mm camera production. It was the camera which proved that small 24mm x 36mm negatives could provide images of sufficient quality to produce reasonable enlargements. And that format has been used to the present day ie modern "full frame" digital cameras use the 24mm x 36mm format sensor.

 

In recognition of the "O" camera's importance, Leica decided in the 2000 Millenium year to produce a replica "O" with production limited to just 2000 examples. It is a very idiosyncratic camera and some collectors and users have decried it because of its querky ways. Many other photographers however have welcomed it and recognize its importance. They realize that because its operation requires a lot of thought and deliberation then results can be better and different than with a fast action camera. The camera is an almost exact copy of the original. The Anastigmat lens is true to the original four element design but ray tracings were revised using a computer and the lens elements multicoated.

 

This is the Leica "O" Replica camera:

DSCF0392.jpg

 

It is just as Barnack originally designed it hence the unfamiliar controls and querky method of operation. Unlike the 1925 Leica I, the model "O" does not have a self-capping focal plane shutter. The lens cap on a cord was designed to be placed over the lens every time the shutter is wound on to avoid fogging the film. Shutter cocking/film winding is straightforward for any preset shutter speed. But changing the actual shutter speed complicates matters because the shutter slit width between the first and second shutter curtains can only be altered when the shutter is partially wound and when the first of the two shutter blinds is completely in front of the film plane window. The slit width cannot be altered when the shutter is fully cocked or after it is fired. The actual slit widths, as distinct from shutter speeds, are shown on the shutter speed "setting knob" . The widths correspond to the speeds as follows:

2mm = 1/500 sec

5mm = 1/200 sec

10mm = 1/100 sec

20mm = 1/50 sec

50mm = 1/20 sec

 

Here is a close-up of the the shutter setting knob and wind-on with the shutter cocked and ready to fire at 1/50 sec.

DSCF0411.jpg

The pin indicator in the setting knob shows 20mm

 

And here is the setting knob after the shutter has fired ... pin still in the 20mm slit width position

DSCF0412.jpg

 

con'd. ...

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Suppose the shutter speed for the next exposure requires changing to 1/500 second ie 2mm blind slit width. The shutter now needs partially winding on ... but throughout this procedure the lens cap must be placed over the lens. This avoids fogging the film through the uncapped shutter blind slit as the blinds are wound back off the take-up drum. Note the red dot on the setting knob. When the wind-on is turned, the setting knob also turns. Thus by partially turning the wind-on, the red dot can be aligned with the indicator line on the LHS. Only in this position is the first shutter blind completely in front of the film plane. And only in this position can the outer knurled sheath surrounding the setting knob be pushed down and turned, to slip the indicator pin into alterrnative slit width positions.

 

DSCF0413.jpg

Here the wind-on has been being partially turned to align the red dot

 

 

DSCF0414.jpg

And here the setting knob sheath has been pushed down (with the red dot still aligned) and turned to slip the indicator pin into the 2mm position i.e 1/500 sec.

 

DSCF0415-1.jpg

And here the wind-on knob has been fully turned to cock the shutter with the new 2mm slit width.

 

It is a rather long winded procedure and also risks fogging the film if the lens is not capped.

 

Furthermore, the slit widths and corresponding speeds require memorizing or writing down.

 

cont'd. ...

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But these complications are not the only idiosyncrasies because the cross hair viewfinder cannot be used close to the eye ... it can only be used at a viewing distance of 25-30cm in order that the cross hairs can be aligned with the sight-hole. This does not permit steady viewing or steady shutter operation. The camera would be more stable if held conventionally against the face. This can be achieved by using a conventional accessory viewfinder as shown below. Here the Leitz SBOOI 12015 has been used. The photograph also shows a lens hood being used about which more later.

DSCF0393.jpg

DSCF0402.jpg

The cross hair finder can now be folded against the top plate and used to hold a thin piece of card on which are written the corresponding shutter speeds for each slit width ... obviating the need to memorize which speeds correspond with the respective slit widths.

 

However, the lens still needs capping each time the shutter is wound on and then uncapping again before making the exposure. But, the capping procedure can be speeded up if a lens hood is used thus permitting capping with the palm of the hand instead of the cap on the cord. This sounds a bit risky but the hood fits "light-tight" around the lens and the palm can be totally "cupped" over the front thus capping the lens.

 

Whilst not in the true Barnack Leica "O" tradition these modifications do permit faster operation ... and also enable the use of the superb recomputed Anastigmat lens ... and at reasonable cost judging by the current used "O" prices.

 

DSCF0403.jpg

 

I will add some photographs taken with the camera soon.

 

Watch this space.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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There is another reason why I want to use it ... images will be compared to those obtained with these cameras ...... which hopefully will be the subject of another thread

 

 

I'd be interested to see the comparisons. I'm guessing the new camera will produce more contrasty and (if colour) saturated images due to the newer glass and multi coatings. The body isn't going to make any difference of course, but the O is a nice novelty and at that price not at all bad value.

 

I don't know why Leica didn't make a run of new LTM mount lenses at the same time. Shame.

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I'd be interested to see the comparisons. I'm guessing the new camera will produce more contrasty and (if colour) saturated images due to the newer glass and multi coatings. The body isn't going to make any difference of course, but the O is a nice novelty and at that price not at all bad value.

 

I don't know why Leica didn't make a run of new LTM mount lenses at the same time. Shame.

 

Hi James, I recall that Leica did produce some LTM lenses as special editions some years ago ... maybe it was in 2000 ... but I cant find the text relating.

 

I would like to know whether the Anastigmat was/is a four element or a five element lens and whether the Elmax which followed it was just a rebadged Anastigmat or a different lens. Laney states in his Collectors Guide ( 1st Edition) that the Anastigmat is a five element triplet .. but then his Pocket Book 7th Edition states it is probably a four element triplet. Furthermore Laney implies in the Collectors Guide that the Elmax is the same as the Anastigmat and then in the Collectors guide seems to imply it was a new 1925 design. But I think there might be input from Puts in The Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition. Then again, in his Leica Lens Compendium, Puts describes both the Anastigmat and Elmax together as being a five element lens designed in 1922. But Leica state the "O" Replica has a four element Anastigmat. I wonder if anyone has actually taken an Anastigmat apart to clarify the situation? And if Leica's "O" Replica is a true replica, did Leica actually take an Anastigmat apart when the replica lens was recomputed? Or did they work from drawings? And if there are four element drawings then why does Puts refer to Berek's "original sheet" and a "construction consisting of 3 lenses with 5 elements"??

 

All very confusing. And each description in the books seems a little "wooly". I do not have the Collectors Guide 2nd Edition and am wondering if it clarifies the construction with any certainty?

 

I have just bought an original Leica Model 1 S/No. 1XX with an Anastigmat lens. When it is eventually serviced I may have the opportunity to establish/clarify the exact lens construction.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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My Leica pocket book says that the Elmax is simply a rebadged Anastigmat. I don't know the difference between that and the Elmar though (and the book doesn't say!).

 

As for the new LTM lenses, Leica did make a limited number - they were screw mount versions of the current 50/1.4 and 35/2 M lenses. They're more collectors pieces and sell for more money that the equivalent M lens. I'd liked to have seen a 'regular' production run of the Elmar (original style given they'd made the barrels for the O replicas) or even a screw mount of the newer Elmar 2.8 lens. I'm sure Leica would sell shed loads to us LTM users as well as people using Voigtlanders.

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dkpeterborough, thank you for the review. IT is interesting camera. I have Zorki camera which feels pretty rough and have considered to buy Leica II or modified I. Now that "new" camera tempts me.

 

I also believe that "slow" taking pictures improve photographer's seeing.

 

I have tip for you maybe you'd not need a papper later. 1/10 represents 1/100. Easy to remember then decide which northern or southern parts has slow ones or fast. Imagine two speeds above and below 1/10. Easy isn't? The fast one has two empty small holes each other.

 

Im curious how the shutter of 0 compares to Standard?

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Thank you Tomasis. I will try it. Maybe when I get used to it I will not need the card reminder. I have not really taken much notice of the differences in the shutters yet as regards noise or smoothness.

 

And have been advised the Leica Fotografie International issue 2008/06 has an article about the Leica "O" so have ordered a copy.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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you might have a look at one of the recent LFI magazines. i remember an article and photo series made with this camera?

 

cheers

 

rick

 

Thanks Rick; have already ordered the magazine; had a reply from the author of the article on another forum ref my photo essay.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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