ball head differences, marked D?

[ironringer]

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Could Leica ball head experts tell me the difference between the two ball heads in the attached pictures? I believe both are 1960s #14121 (not sure if these had a product code word) but one is marked D.

Do both of these ball heads have the useful feature of changing thread size, containing both 1/4" and 3/8" male and female threads?

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[Michael Hiles]

I don`t know the difference between the D and the other.

 

My suspicion is that the threads are not intended to be interchangeable. I have a later version of this wonderful head and the threads can be interchanged by unscrewing a top cap and bottom cap - no removing screws, which would be required on the top and bottom of the units shown in the picture.

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[jc_braconi]

The one D ( Doppeltes) engraved has 2 size : the large one can be collapsed, it it spring loaded to erect with the large one out., an another fine trick to discover...

Edited March 13, 2014 by jc_braconi

[ironringer]

Thank you gentlemen for initial and useful information.

From the attached pictures (found on the internet) I believe that the style of ball head with the large, screw cap bottom, may be the "universal" style that has both thread sizes at the top, and maybe even at the bottom.

Does that "universal" style have a product number and name?

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[UliWer]

It may be 14115 (short version of the KGOON).

 

In the German Wiki of the Forum you find different versions with some photos and descriptions:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.de/index.php/Leica_Kugelgelenkk%C3%B6pfe

[jc_braconi]

Thank you gentlemen for initial and useful information.

From the attached pictures (found on the internet) I believe that the style of ball head with the large, screw cap bottom, may be the "universal" style that has both thread sizes at the top, and maybe even at the bottom.

Does that "universal" style have a product number and name?

 

This is quite the late version, before the very last one with black synthetic locking nut.

code : 14121

[doubice]

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The one D ( Doppeltes) engraved has 2 size : the large one can be collapsed, it it spring loaded to erect with the large one out., an another fine trick to discover...

 

Actually, it appears that both of the OP's heads have the retractable female threads (bottom of the head) but it is the one NOT marked 'D' that also has the retractable 3/8" male threads. If you look at the photos closely, you will see that.

 

Yes, it was indeed a neat trick that made me keep one of those retractable thread KGOON heads even after I bought the latest 14121. I was simply amazed at the ingenuity of the design.

 

Cheers,

 

Jan

[ironringer]

This is quite the late version, before the very last one with black synthetic locking nut.

code : 14121

 

Thank you all for confirming that:

- my original pictures seem to show the retracting design for both sizes of male thread, and

- the late ball head #14121 (with the large removable bottom cap) is the "universal" style with both 1/4" and 3/8" threads, top and bottom, changeable.

 

That is a useful style, adaptable for either thread. Smart design.

[jpattison]

ironringer, As doubice says, the heads in the first post differ in that only one has a retracting male thread, and both have retracting female threads. The one without the D, is a 14115B according to my 1961 catalogue.

 

in Lager's illustrated guide II, p179, he shows the one with D as a late model KGOON, circa 1960, although the item shown does have the E Leitz Wetzlar icon (lens elements) as you show above, but it also has the dual retracting thread.

so maybe the one you show has been modified? Lager states that this model was developed in the 1950's.

 

The head with the reversible threads (base and top section unscrew as you show) wasn't very useful, as I found it didn't have a "tight" fit, and allowed the camera to move slightly. This is a 14121, from the 1967 catalogue.

 

John

Edited March 15, 2014 by jpattison
Lager ref, and item numbers added