Leitz ADVOO

[mikebidwell]

I am trying to find out some information regarding the Leitz ADVOO which apparently was made specifically for the Leica IIIg. Can anyone help please??

[jc_braconi]

a German leaflet from 1959.

[Erik van Straten]

I recently saw one for sale. Very beautiful. A small leather case, with everything in it to make closeups with the IIIg. It works in a different way than the other close-up devices for the screw-mount Leicas.
I did not buy it, for I know I would never use it, although I do have a IIIg. I have a SOMKY-device for over thirty years - never used it either.

[luigi bertolotti]

It was a close up device : a screw mount additional lens for Elmars 50mm "new design" (3,5 and 2,8 with E39 filter thread) which permitted focusing from 20 to 34 inches, and a rectangular lens, fitted by an arm to the shoe which adjusted the VF/RF image. So, better than the old simple ELPRO/ELPIK/ELPET etc lenses for the old Elmars, which lack anything for VF/RF "coupling", but no better than the NOOKY etc, which used the tech of extension ring to close focus, that gives, in general, better image quality vs, additional lenses (nad were anyway VF/RF "coupled"). This is the reason for, I think, ADVOO didn't have great success... and the Leica SM time was at its end (M3 was already on the market for 4 years when ADVOO was announced), so it's surely rare: an italian shop (newoldcamera) has one for sale at 250 Euros, Tamarkin one at 275 US$... maybe others can be found, but surely it isn't common. Of course, it's strictly for IIIG, given that the VF lens has to fit the shoe and stays on the lens (it is gently curved to couple the Elmar fron ring): everything is dimensioned to IIIG body.

For the record, I seem to remember that a similar device was made by Voigtlander for the Prominent, and maybe also by Zeiss for some compact 35mm camera... don't remember if for the Contax too.

You can find pics of the ADVOO in the usual books (Lager, Laney...)

<added after posting> ... or , thanks to friend JC ... here above...

[jc_braconi]

Ciao Luigi,
I am always very admirative about your ability to type long posts, although I would be a computerized system ingineer, I always type with two fingers ...
taking a picture makes me using only one !

[Philippe D.]

Originally Posted by Erik van Straten

I have a SOMKY-device for over thirty years - never used it either.

This is meant to be use on M cameras, that's right.
You should try it with a Summicron, if you have one.
Collapsible Cron fits right in, if you have a non-collap., you'll need the UOORF adapter to fix the optical head in.
This SOMKY substitute a Close focus Summicron (with googles) very well indeed.

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by Erik van Straten

I recently saw one for sale. Very beautiful. A small leather case, with everything in it to make closeups with the IIIg. It works in a different way than the other close-up devices for the screw-mount Leicas.
I did not buy it, for I know I would never use it, although I do have a IIIg. I have a SOMKY-device for over thirty years - never used it either.

But... keep your SOMKY... one can never know...my one stood unused for about 12 years... collection item... then I bought M8... ... which is the easier way to have near focus (don't speak of real macro, of course) ??? I have a very clean Summicron DR, but advice is not to mount it on M8... so, now, I screw off the Cron DR head and mount it on the SOMKY ! Simple, fine, focuses & work well, easy to carry... in another thread of this section (regarding Summarons 35) I recently posted a pic taken with this combo.

[Erik van Straten]

I do have the UOORF-adapter as well as both the collapsible and first rigid Summicrons, but nevertheless... maybe I do not like making closeups. By the way, the (first) Elmar 50mm F2.8 fits the SOMKY too, but strange enough, the Elmar-M 50mm F2.8 does not. I think the old Summar and Summitar lenses will also fit the SOMKY. It's a beautiful piece of equipment, and great for use on the M8, as Luigi showed us with his beautiful picture of the Summaron 35mm F3.5 in another tread.

[mikebidwell]

Hi there

My apologies for not coming back before now but unfortunately due to a family bereavement things have been a bit hectic. My thanks to all of you who gave answers to my question I have the chance of an ADVOO which I'm told is nearly mint condition so I think I'll get. The only thing is it doesn't have the leather case but I believe that was an optional extra, so I'm now on the lookout for one.

Best wishes

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by mikebidwell

Hi there

My apologies for not coming back before now but unfortunately due to a family bereavement things have been a bit hectic. My thanks to all of you who gave answers to my question I have the chance of an ADVOO which I'm told is nearly mint condition so I think I'll get. The only thing is it doesn't have the leather case but I believe that was an optional extra, so I'm now on the lookout for one.

Best wishes

You haven't to apologize, Mike... as you see from the above posts, this is a place in which, starting from some question, people likes to chat around in the middle ...

[mikebidwell]

Originally Posted by luigi bertolotti

You haven't to apologize, Mike... as you see from the above posts, this is a place in which, starting from some question, people likes to chat around in the middle ...

Thanks Luigi

I appreciate your help , you are right when you say about the 'chat around the middle' thats what makes this forum so fascinating. For a Leica novice it's surprising how quickly you can get answers back. So I've got another one please. This is concerning the ADVOO leather case. Has anyone any thought on it's Leica part number and the best place to find one please.

[jc_braconi]

Collectible Cameras - Catalog: Used Cameras, Vintage Cameras, Film Cameras, Digital Cameras and More

Original Leica 3G Close -Up, Leitz Code ADVOO in Mint- - eBay (item 140150098246 end time May-16-08 18:52:51 PDT)

[mikebidwell]

Hello JC

Thanks for the links but both were selling the ADVOO complete with case, I'm just looking for a case on its own but have been unable to find any information on it. Can anyone help please ??

Best wishes

MikeB