alan mcfall

Having some trouble with photos and my computer. Here is another attempt at the photos.

Here are a few of these "fat" 5x viewers. Used on VEHIG, OORES, PLOOT, focoslide, universal copying device and others. Early versions were slide-in, first completely round lip, then lip with small flat or D shape, then it seems Leitz decided that it would be more secure to use a bayonet version. The code changed from LOOFV to LVFOO. A similar code changed for the chimney, and right angle viewers, e.g. LOOGI to LKIOO. The fat viewer had a sliding focus at the bottom, the others at the top. For the LVFOO only, the bottom would rotate when locking or unlocking the bayonet, so a small screw and slot were added as can be seen in the photos, below the logo. The OORES transitioned from slide in to bayonet, as did the FULDY, but I believe the VEHIG was discontinued before the bayonet arrival, and all that I have seen are slide in. As the early PLOOT's used a screw in magnifier and then moved to the bayonet, I don't believe any of the early slide in viewers can be used with the PLOOT. The PAMOO replaced the LKIOO (prism vs. mirror) but you could still use it with the VISO I.

I have not seen anything definitive from the researchers that have access to leitz archives. Until such information becomes available, some of us that have cameras that have been factory upgraded, are trying to use the codes listed in the "repair" book, and brute force a match with known cameras, that will eventually identify a code by elimination or confirmation over multiple examples. This is somewhat complicated, as some upgrades may not be visible in a photograph of a upgraded camera, such as the shutter brake. And, some changes are conditional on other changes. Also, some changes may have been at Leitz decision and not from a customer request. The taller advance knob and additional screws in the top plate, were likely considered to be an "inprovement" in the product, while changing the rear plate of the tublar viewfinder, would be not as important. Leitz made continuous changes for manufacturing, reliability and other reasons as the product evolved, these may not be in the repair records, but can be important. Anyway, some early possibilities from just a few match attempts for some of my cameras, could be: Code 15 advance knob, 16 Interchangeable lens flange, 4, 9 codes for adding the rangefinder or slow speeds. Many more comparisons between actual cameras and repair records codes would be necessary before anything could be certain. If a lot of upgraded camera owners could submit the repair book codes for their camera, and the present features of the camera, we might be able to at least verify some of the codes. Until then, I hope Lars or someone comes up with the repair book code meanings.

1954 If red dial, factory upgraded to a IIf red dial. With red number 50 elmar.

A photo would help. Reportedly a lot of 155 M4-M cameras at 1206737 to 1206891 with some M4-MDa cameras mixed in near the end. I have recorded these cameras: M4-M 1206868, 872, 874, 878, 880 and 22 M4-M's before 846 M4-MDa 1206846, 851, 883, 885 with none before 846 Your 1206871 could well be a M4-M or M4MDa as you note. May depend on the features we could see in a photo.

Thanks,my mistake, I got the serial wrong. Anyway, this camera, 390175K would have been grey paint originally, as others have stated here. The nearest I have seen are 390153K (2/14/1944) and 390179K and they are also both grey.

I think there is a good probabality this camera was originally chrome plated as it left the factory. I have recorded approximately 150 camera serials in the range of 391001-392000, the majority are in chrome finish. Only two continous strings of grey cameras exist in this series of 1000 cameras, the first 70 or 80 are grey and are from 1943. The W. H. cameras are from 391423-391699 and they are also grey and typically 1943. But they remaing cameras are contained within two long continous strings of serials. That would be 391081 up to 391423 when the W.H. cameras started. Also, the cameras, 391700-391999 are chrome. These two strings of chrome cameras are frequetly dated 1945, approximately 2 years later than the reqular grey finish cameras. Also, many are listed as sales to US Army, so it seems these chrome lots in the 391xxx listings are later on when chrome may have been avaliable. In the first string, these are the cameras I have seen as chrome without a single grey discovered. I have cameras 391209 and 391319 and they are both original chrome. Also, all the chrome cameras in this string have the K on the shutter, but only a couple have it on the top. 81 94 96 102 103 112 137 138 140 151 155 158 166 173 175 179 189 190 191 209 238 245 249 259 267 284 310 319 330 345 The latter string of chrome cameras in the 391xxx listings are all chrome from 391700 to the 392000. and the ones I have seen are: 700 706 719 736 736 741 765 775 785 795 805 828 850 862 868 882 883 897 927 962 Only one has the K and 2 have grey leatherette, all seem to be dated in Oct. 1945. I have cameras 391700, 391706,391736 and 391850, all chrome. My 391700 is the first serial after the W. H. cameras and though chrome is has grey leather. There may be minor exceptions as often happens with Leica. But my assesment is that the grey cameras ended earlier in the war, 1943/44 and in 1945 leitz went back and picked up unused serials prceding and post the W. H. cameras and these were made in 1945 in chrome. If someone has more details, it would help clarify. Now, why would 391175 be somewhat crudlely rechromed? Maybe leitz has records, but the quality of the rechrome suggests otherwise. Perhaps the camera was badly defaced and the owner had a third party do their best to restore it. But, 391175 is clearly in a consistant string of chrome manufactured cameras. The K shutter mark is likely also original, but the K on top is inconsistant. Agan, perhaps added later, or a one-off.

Just photo from a video of a Leitz worker at an engraving machine, circa 1930. Pantagraph machine with templetes, as often noted in forum posts. Just to give a mental image of the process, and possible human errors. Given the volume of engraved products and the frequency of reported mistakes, they still must have been 99.9% accurate. Note proper work attire. In the video, the hand moves with amazing speed to move the pin over the template numbers/letters( 2 min into the video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfN3mx_ZQN8

ZWTOO

A 1930 catalog shows a hydraulic motor that can be used to agitate the FIMAN developing drum. Code word is IDROL. Water from the tap is used to operate the motor. I really wonder if this item was produced by Leitz or perhaps adapted by someone who tired of rotating the developing reel. I have never seen or heard of this item, but maybe a forum member has. It is marked Novelty in the photo and is not listed in any of the code word listings I have. In a similar device, Leitz New York offered a later mid-1930's version of an electric agitator for the REELO bakelite tank, code AGITA.

Just to show a listing of these binoculars, in the 1930 Specialites-Tiranty catalog.

Here is my 5353 if that helps. Looks original with maybe the wind on knob upgraded to the higher one.

EMTOO case, for the viso 1 with either the 125 Hektor, 135 elmar or most commonly with the 200 telyt. Has spot for dual cable release and filters. i don't think they are particularly rare.

Here are a few early mooly's I have seen, from my data base. I didn't look for cornors or No markings, so probably no help. I'll add 152 and the 144 you show, to my info. Thanks 107 Die Leica, p39, V4, July 1938 111 Lager II p128 127 Rattey, 2 speed 134 140 VH 146 sold christies 2000 for $3740 150 VH p126 201 211 2 speed 213 2 speed 216 Lager II p 127 233 2 speed 237 260 263 2 speed 281 291 2 speed 296 2 speed