Fontenelle archives 14 : Poor man's Mifilmca

[Pecole]

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The Mifilmca is a sought after item in the Leica collectors' world, yet it is not a "camera" but a mere "film transport housing". But it is based on a Leica body! Film transport for using MIKAS and other microscope-related applications has long been ensured by "simple" - but still expensive - bodies like Ic, If and the MDs, even if full camera capabilities were not necessary. In the 1960s, Leitz was confronted with the problem when they lost a contract with German State universities and technical schools because of the cost of the proposed sets. The next offer they made was based on a totally new concept of successor to the Mifilmca. It is called "Film Transport Housing" and was described in List 540-3C of August 1969 (see our reproduction). Produced for Leitz by Balda as a "cheap" substitute to the Leica MD/MDa, it has some characteristics (winding lever and top cover shape) of the Voigtlaender Vito C, but was engraved "LEITZ WETZLAR GERMANY" on the lower part of the mounting screw flange, which probably was the only Leitz-made part. There was no shutter indeed, but a simple sliding mask through the right side of the flange.

A curious "hybrid" that never made it as a "collectable".

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[pico]

Very interesting. And you matched the lighting and perspective of the real object to the illustration! Most excellent!

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[lars_bergquist]

Even companies like Balda did produce to a higher level of finish and "feel" than just about any major manufacturer today -- except Leica, of course. Those were the days!

 

I have a couple of folding Retinas, and they are lovely to caress and use.

 

The old man from the Age of Handarbeit