jc_braconi Posted October 10, 2010 Share #1 Posted October 10, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Before dealing with the 35 mm focal lens viewfinder I would like to illustrate the universal viewfinder VIDOM. From 1933 to 1939. The principle is based on two inside black blades which by turning the outside ring make a shape corresponding to the field of view matching with the lenses. Image inside is not horizontally rectified, L is on the R. You have to turn ¼ the knurled rear ring to aim in a vertical camera standing. Some are illustrated here with from l to r : the first model black paint and nickel, with plain nose ( no ring ) parallax correction cam in feet scale. Second model black paint and nickel, with ring (or collar depend the authors) parallax correction cam in feet scale. Third model black paint and chrome, with ring, parallax correction cam in feet scale. Fourth model all chrome, with ring, parallax correction cam in meter scale. Fifth model all chrome, with ring, parallax correction cam in feet scale. Sixth model black paint and chrome, with ring, parallax correction cam in meter scale. The adjustable viewfinder inside shape rings are all engraved all the same with 3,5-5-7,3-9-10,5 and 13,5 cm the shortest line is for adjusting the viewfinder blades for short distances, < 2 m. and next is the VIOOH an evolution from the VIDOM by adding a set of prisms make a rectified horizontally image. From 1940 to 1964. Some are illustrated here with from l to r : Lyre shape with enhanced top, parallax correction cam in feet scale, under base serial numbered. Lyre shape with enhanced top, parallax correction cam in feet scale, under base serial unnumbered. Black nose. Lyre shape with straight top, parallax correction cam in meter scale. Straight side shape parallax correction cam in feet scale. 4 digit serial number Straight side shape parallax correction cam in feet scale. Early 5 digit serial number Straight side shape parallax correction cam in meter scale. Straight side shape parallax correction cam in feet scale last production Leitz white paint inletted , 99058 serial numbered. The lyre shaped models wear the focal lens 3,5-5-7,3-9-13,5 engraved on the adjustable ring. The straight side shaped models wear the focal lens 3,5-5-8,5-9-13,5 on the adjustable ring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 10, 2010 Posted October 10, 2010 Hi jc_braconi, Take a look here A little...38. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jc_braconi Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share #2 Posted October 10, 2010 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted October 11, 2010 Share #3 Posted October 11, 2010 Re: Special viewfinder Enfin ! remarquable et impressionnant, comme toujours. Merci de partager. (At last ! exceptional and impressive, as usual. Thanks a lot for sharing) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 11, 2010 Share #4 Posted October 11, 2010 Nice series ! My preferred is the VIOOH lyre-shaped and black nose (has it the thread to mount the TUVOO ? I think no...); btw, is the first time that I see a VIOOH with the classic Leitz lettering... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted October 11, 2010 Nice series ! My preferred is the VIOOH lyre-shaped and black nose (has it the thread to mount the TUVOO ? I think no...); btw, is the first time that I see a VIOOH with the classic Leitz lettering... Yes it has Luigi. Thank you gentlemen for your appreciations. I found lately and included a nice cuteaway view about the VIOOH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennersten Posted October 11, 2010 Share #6 Posted October 11, 2010 And also a big thanks from me! I have followed the series closely and really enjoyed it. Maybe got myself carried away and bought some nice stuff lately :-) I saw in a previous post that you didn't want to do a book as it is to serious competitors, Lager etc out there. But why don't you do a Blurb book at least? I would certainly buy it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted October 12, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) But why don't you do a Blurb book at least? I would certainly buy it! Thank you for your impulse I have to finish it anyway ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ron (Netherlands) Posted October 12, 2010 Share #8 Posted October 12, 2010 Great and inspiring collection! I have only one that 'seems to resemble' your first edition lyra shape finders, but it seems to be one which is not easy found....one with 8.5 and 10.5.engraving.....but I guess you already know what story behind this one is ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted October 12, 2010 Great and inspiring collection! I have only one that 'seems to resemble' your first edition lyra shape finders, but it seems to be one which is not easy found....one with 8.5 and 10.5.engraving.....but I guess you already know what story behind this one is ... Your VIOOH is a nice piece, is of the second model lyre shape with straight top sides and wear also the 7.3 engraved line my #3 is engraved 7.3 and has a line engraved in between the 9 and the 13.5 line for the 10.5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted October 12, 2010 Share #10 Posted October 12, 2010 And also a big thanks from me! I have followed the series closely and really enjoyed it. Maybe got myself carried away and bought some nice stuff lately :-) I saw in a previous post that you didn't want to do a book as it is to serious competitors, Lager etc out there. But why don't you do a Blurb book at least? I would certainly buy it! I do strongly wish that this fascinating encyclopedia of so many Leica items won't be lost in the chaos of cyberspace. The search function of this forum isn't always a good help to find Your marvellous illustrations. So I hope that the series of "A little..." will one day find it's proper place as a whole in a special place of this forum - even if I'd much prefer a printed version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted October 13, 2010 Share #11 Posted October 13, 2010 Jean Claude - I too thoroughly enjoy these posts on equipment and have followed them with great interest. I have learned a great deal from this series and your posts are always concise, succinct and clearly illustrated. I too would like to see them as a publication. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 13, 2010 Share #12 Posted October 13, 2010 Your VIOOH is a nice piece, is of the second model lyre shape with straight top sidesmy #3 is engraved 7.3 and has a line engraved in between the 9 and the 13.5 line for the 10.5 ...Another detail I did not know... : so there are VIOOHs with 10,5 "line only" AND "line+10,5 engraving" , and the same two variants for 7,3.. but, apparently, no 7,3 + 10,5 engravings together... differently than VIDOM... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted October 13, 2010 ...Another detail I did not know... : so there are VIOOHs with 10,5 "line only" AND "line+10,5 engraving" , and the same two variants for 7,3.. but, apparently, no 7,3 + 10,5 engravings together... differently than VIDOM... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted October 13, 2010 Share #14 Posted October 13, 2010 I do strongly wish that this fascinating encyclopedia of so many Leica items won't be lost in the chaos of cyberspace. The search function of this forum isn't always a good help to find Your marvellous illustrations. So I hope that the series of "A little..." will one day find it's proper place as a whole in a special place of this forum - even if I'd much prefer a printed version. I strongly agree as well. I have enjoyed reading all the "A little..." illustrations and explanations and would really like to be able to collect them - perhaps in a loose leaf style folder. Teddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector_jorge Posted October 13, 2010 Share #15 Posted October 13, 2010 Many thanks for your very interesting information. Would you tell me please where can I buy it in printed form? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ron (Netherlands) Posted October 13, 2010 Share #16 Posted October 13, 2010 Your VIOOH is a nice piece, is of the second model lyre shape with straight top sides and wear also the 7.3 engraved linemy #3 is engraved 7.3 and has a line engraved in between the 9 and the 13.5 line for the 10.5 ...Another detail I did not know... : so there are VIOOHs with 10,5 "line only" AND "line+10,5 engraving" , and the same two variants for 7,3.. but, apparently, no 7,3 + 10,5 engravings together... differently than VIDOM... JC and Luigi, I will reveal what actually is the story behind my "VIOOH". Actually I cheated this thread (hope you forgive me) just to show how nice these VIOOH's were copied by our Japanese friends. The below picture does reveal mine has not straight top sides but is actually a lyra shape model, however not made by Leitz This also clairifies why the engravings are not consistent with the orginal VIOOH's in JC's collection (I never had noticed untill I saw your collection in this thread! so thanks again). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share #17 Posted October 13, 2010 The below picture does reveal mine has not straight top sides but is actually a lyra shape model, however not made by Leitz Even it is a Tower it is a 'lyre shape' copy of #3 from l to r with straight top sides the #1 & #2 are enhanced top sides. please check again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 14, 2010 Share #18 Posted October 14, 2010 Nice Joke, Ron !!! ... and I thought to have discovered the nth variant of VIOOH... ; maybe the Japs engraved the 10,5 blinking to the well known Nikkor lens of this focal... probably, when this VIOOH copy was made, the Alpine Elmar 10,5 had been forgotten from years... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ron (Netherlands) Posted October 14, 2010 Share #19 Posted October 14, 2010 Even it is a Tower it is a 'lyre shape' copy of #3 from l to r with straight top sides the #1 & #2 are enhanced top sides. please check again. Thank you JC, I think I follow you although on the pictures I cannot clearly see the difference between the nrs. #1, #2 and #3 (actually I thought they were the same) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share #20 Posted October 14, 2010 can you see this here ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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