Hollywood_Shooter Posted June 6, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello - I have not been able to identify exactly what it is or what it's current value is. I can tell you it's in excellent condition. I assume it's some kind of macro / close focus adapter. Any help is appreciated. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited June 9, 2012 by jaapv Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181133-what-is-this/?do=findComment&comment=2032665'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Hi Hollywood_Shooter, Take a look here What is this. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Michael Geschlecht Posted June 6, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 6, 2012 Hello Darren, Welcome to the Forum. You are a lucky person. This is a "Focorapid" which is a close focussing device usable w/ a number of lenses. It was in catalog between 1962 & 1965. It was made by Leitz Canada who made much of the Leitz/Leica equipment @ that time. It is a focussing mechanism which is put between a Visoflex II, IIa & III & a lens head. Focorapids are both relatively uncommon & sought after. Best Regards, Michael 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 6, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) Welcome to the forum !! Have you only the item you posted or also some black ring to be screwed in front ? As said, the Focorapid is uncommon, complete kits even more, and worth no little sums... see here as an example : L-CAMERA-APPS - Leica Sammlerstücke, Ersatzteile, Accessories & Zubehör: Focorapid : Vintage Accessories Its main function, more than close-focus, was indeed to use long focals (135 to 400mm) with the Visoflex mirror box , providing a facility (the knobs) to preset distances to quickly focus to... the rings I quote were made to mount the lensheads of various lenses, so allowing infinity focus for them all. Focorapid was later superseded by the Televit device, same principle and with handle+shoulder support. Edited June 6, 2012 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 6, 2012 Share #4 Posted June 6, 2012 here it is : Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181133-what-is-this/?do=findComment&comment=2032946'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 6, 2012 Share #5 Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) Welcome to the forum !!Have you only the item you posted or also some black ring to be screwed in front ? As said, the Focorapid is uncommon, complete kits even more, and worth no little sums... see here as an example : L-CAMERA-APPS - Leica Sammlerstücke, Ersatzteile, Accessories & Zubehör: Focorapid : Vintage Accessories Its main function, more than close-focus, was indeed to use long focals (135 to 400mm) with the Visoflex mirror box , providing a facility (the knobs) to preset distances to quickly focus to... the rings I quote were made to mount the lensheads of various lenses, so allowing infinity focus for them all. Focorapid was later superseded by the Televit device, same principle and with handle+shoulder support. Luigi, you cannot use the 400 mm Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited June 6, 2012 by jc_braconi 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181133-what-is-this/?do=findComment&comment=2032948'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 6, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 6, 2012 Luigi, you cannot use the 400 mm There used to be a Leitz N.Y. Adapter just for the 400 V2, I seem to remember... a completely different code like 99xxx... ... I have vague remembrance of one such item for sale... (Westlicht ?)... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 6, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 6, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yup, memory didn't fail... ... I just forgot how easy is to surf past Westlicht auctions... WestLicht Photographica Auction Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 6, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 6, 2012 Yup, memory didn't fail... ... I just forgot how easy is to surf past Westlicht auctions... WestLicht Photographica Auction and the very rare E.Leitz New York adapter-ring #98311 (Telyt 5/400mm) in maker's box (5) Must confess I do not remember this over ocean adaptation. thanks for the head up 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismon Posted June 6, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 6, 2012 The Focorapid was a delight to use. Loosen all three knobs on the top so that they ride in their slots. Focus at infinity and tighten down the middle knob. Focus on another distance and tighten the left knob, focus elsewhere and tighten the right knob. You now have three pre-focused click stops. Imagine being able to acquire precise focus points with your Viso (or Leicaflex) as fast as you can shoot ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted June 7, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 7, 2012 The Focorapid was a delight to use. Loosen all three knobs on the top so that they ride in their slots. Focus at infinity and tighten down the middle knob. Focus on another distance and tighten the left knob, focus elsewhere and tighten the right knob. You now have three pre-focused click stops. Imagine being able to acquire precise focus points with your Viso (or Leicaflex) as fast as you can shoot ! We must draw the conclusion that in those days, photographers with tele lenses limited themselves to photographing absolutely immovable objects. Otherwise, given the shallow d.o.f., they would have been stuck with the wrong focus after just a few seconds. And if they did not move, why the need to switch repeatedly at will between three different statues? Photographing the gulls that sit on their heads? The forte of Ernst Leitz in those days was designing complicated, too-clever-by half and very impractical devices. For which today's collectors should of course be grateful. The old man from the Focusing Age Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 7, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 7, 2012 (edited) Well... I think that Focorapid was designed with some specific users in mind... I think of a sport photog which, say on a basketball field, from his own position, could be sure to have, quick and ready to set, the focus on both the baskets. Surely it needed more skill than with today's AFs... (that anyway do offer distance presetting facilities, afaik) Btw, Leitz wasn't the only one to make "focus presetting" devices. Edited June 7, 2012 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollywood_Shooter Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for the info on the Focorapid. In mint condition, without box, what would the typical street price be? Separately I have the 280mm adapter ring as well. Since you were all so helpful, I also have a few other items I'm trying to identify: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181133-what-is-this/?do=findComment&comment=2034592'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 8, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 8, 2012 (edited) The third one is easy and immediate to identify... the (fully extended) focusing mount of an Elmar 9 cm f4 : not strange it lacks the lens unit : the two parts were customer-unscrewable for use of the lens unit only on various near focusing and reflex devices ; they were even sold separately. Here's the complete Elmar 9cm f4 lens. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The first black tube (Leitz NY marked) could be one of those specialized near focus accessories... Leitz made a lot both for general and highly specialized use (copy / reproduction, medical photo, micro photo...) : it is even possible that at one of its ends (to the right, I'd say) it can accept lens unit like the one of the Elmar above quoted... or it can have a 39x1 standard screw mount for Leitz lenses (in this case, you could screw into it the above Elmar focusing unit... just to try...) There had been lot of variants and measures for those "tubes"... see for instance this FUSEV FUFIF FUFLO FUFOR set : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Leitz-L39-SM-Extension-Tube-Set-FUSEV-FUFIF-FUFLO-FUFOR-/140766807073?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c65b0421 (I think it is a 7 - 15 - 30 - 60mm set... but I saw somewhere also a 45 mm one...) No idea about the 2nd item... it hase a Leitz bayonet mount, apparently... but there's nothing that I can immediately recognize... ... could be a more modern device of the same "breed" of the first one.... Edited June 8, 2012 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The first black tube (Leitz NY marked) could be one of those specialized near focus accessories... Leitz made a lot both for general and highly specialized use (copy / reproduction, medical photo, micro photo...) : it is even possible that at one of its ends (to the right, I'd say) it can accept lens unit like the one of the Elmar above quoted... or it can have a 39x1 standard screw mount for Leitz lenses (in this case, you could screw into it the above Elmar focusing unit... just to try...) There had been lot of variants and measures for those "tubes"... see for instance this FUSEV FUFIF FUFLO FUFOR set : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Leitz-L39-SM-Extension-Tube-Set-FUSEV-FUFIF-FUFLO-FUFOR-/140766807073?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c65b0421 (I think it is a 7 - 15 - 30 - 60mm set... but I saw somewhere also a 45 mm one...) No idea about the 2nd item... it hase a Leitz bayonet mount, apparently... but there's nothing that I can immediately recognize... ... could be a more modern device of the same "breed" of the first one.... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181133-what-is-this/?do=findComment&comment=2034633'>More sharing options...
Pecole Posted June 8, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for the info on the Focorapid. In mint condition, without box, what would the typical street price be? Separately I have the 280mm adapter ring as well. Since you were all so helpful, I also have a few other items I'm trying to identify: The first pix is of an assembly of FOUR extension rings/tubes, including the E. Leitz New York 60 mm extension tube, one of the six known (7, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 mm). The three others are from various auxiliaty reproduction devices (BEHOO, BAZOO etc..). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 8, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for the info on the Focorapid. In mint condition, without box, what would the typical street price be? .... Usually, evaluations are not matter of this forum... look at this (it is with box and 3 rings) LeicaShop Vintage Cameras | Leica | Leica Zubeh A respectable international seller which can be considered a good reference in the upper price range... the device in itself is the most important part, but complete set of rings and box are valuable pluses for collectors : just to chat, 50% of that price for your item I think is low, but 80% is high... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted June 8, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 8, 2012 The third one is easy and immediate to identify... the (fully extended) focusing mount of an Elmar 9 cm f4 : not strange it lacks the lens unit : the two parts were customer-unscrewable for use of the lens unit only on various near focusing and reflex devices ; they were even sold separately. Here's the complete Elmar 9cm f4 lens. [ATTACH]319398[/ATTACH] The first black tube (Leitz NY marked) could be one of those specialized near focus accessories... Leitz made a lot both for general and highly specialized use (copy / reproduction, medical photo, micro photo...) : it is even possible that at one of its ends (to the right, I'd say) it can accept lens unit like the one of the Elmar above quoted... or it can have a 39x1 standard screw mount for Leitz lenses (in this case, you could screw into it the above Elmar focusing unit... just to try...) There had been lot of variants and measures for those "tubes"... see for instance this FUSEV FUFIF FUFLO FUFOR set : Leica Leitz L39 SM Extension Tube Set - FUSEV, FUFIF, FUFLO, & FUFOR | eBay (I think it is a 7 - 15 - 30 - 60mm set... but I saw somewhere also a 45 mm one...) No idea about the 2nd item... it hase a Leitz bayonet mount, apparently... but there's nothing that I can immediately recognize... ... could be a more modern device of the same "breed" of the first one.... Yes, Luigi, there is a 45 mm ELNY extension tube : see this image from page 145 of Jim Lager's Volume III - Accessories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted June 8, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 8, 2012 Yes, Luigi, there is a 45 mm ELNY extension tube : see this image from page 145 of Jim Lager's Volume III - Accessories. Sorry, I clicked too early on the "submit reply"... here is the attachment. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/181133-what-is-this/?do=findComment&comment=2034684'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 8, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 8, 2012 Since you were all so helpful, I also have a few other items I'm trying to identify: hello, ld like to know if the second item is jut a tube or there are some lens inside ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 8, 2012 Share #19 Posted June 8, 2012 Sorry, I clicked too early on the "submit reply"... here is the attachment. [ATTACH]319407[/ATTACH] Thanks for the pic !! Do you know if there is some difference from those black ones and the silver (chromed ?) FUxxx I linked to ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 8, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 8, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the pic !! Do you know if there is some difference from those black ones and the silver (chromed ?) FUxxx I linked to ? Chrome plated Wetzlar Germany Black NY USA Use to be but the Repro N are black ... Edited June 8, 2012 by jc_braconi 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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